HCBC Sunday School -- September 22, 2013 "Friends" Class
Unit 1 -- The Word from Eternity (John 1:1 -- 3:36)
Salvation Offered (John 3:1-16)
What does being "born again" really mean?

1) Are You Interested? (3:1-3)
a. And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes ~ Matt. 7:28-29
b. Like Nicodemus, many people...
i. Have curiosity, caused by what they've seen or heard in others, but by itself that does not lead to saving faith.
ii. Display intense spiritual hunger mixed with distressing spiritual blindness.
iii. Have human understanding (knowledge), but is not divine transformation.
2) Do You Have Questions? (3:4-9)
a. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. ~ Romans 8:11
b. The wind illustrates the Spirit's marvelous work of regeneration:
i. We can't see the wind, but we can hear it and see its powerful effect. We don't know its origin or destination, but we know it's real.
3) Do You Know the Truth? (3:10-12)
a. Most people do not understand about the transforming power of God's Spirit.
b. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. ~ John 14:6
4) Will You Believe? (3:13-16)
a. Moses/serpent -- Numbers 21:1-6
b. Heart of the gospel (John 3:16) -- begins with God's love, concludes with life eternal.
Key Doctrine -- New Birth
The new birth is a work of God's grace whereby believers become new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is a change of heart wrought by the Holy Spirit through conviction of sin, to which the sinner responds in repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.