Goal for the Session

1© 2011 Feasting on the Word Curriculum. Youth

MARCH 20, 2011 Year A: Second Sunday of Lent

n P R E P A R I N G F O R T H E S E S S I O N

Focus on John 3:1–17

WHAT is important to know? A recurring structural pattern for the Fourth Gospel is: sign, dialogue, discourse. Jesus performs a sign that is followed by a dialogue between Jesus and those present and then a discourse by Jesus that interprets the sign. While Jesus does not perform a sign for Nicodemus, Nicodemus’s reference to “signs” in verse 2 introduces the conversation with Jesus and sets up Jesus’ discourse in verses 10–21. — From “Exegetical Perspective” by Karoline M. Lewis

WHERE is God in these words?Not only is Jesus the presence of God, but those who are born from above—recreated in the water of baptism by the power of the Spirit—will see in these things Jesus has done the presence of the kingdom of God. For many Christians, the gospel is summarized by the words in John 3:16. Some Christians, however, understand faith or “believing in Jesus” to be simply what one does with one’s mind. In John’s Gospel, being born from above and believing in Jesus are clearly not so much about what one does with one’s mind as about what one does with one’s heart and one’s life. — From “Theological Perspective” by George W. Stroup

SO WHAT does this mean for our lives?When Jesus tells Nicodemus that he needs to be born again by water and Spirit, he is asking Nicodemus to let God work in his life. Jesus invites Nicodemus, as he invites each of us, to come into the light of day and become mature believers, full participants in the abundant life he offers. Jesus knows that neither Nicodemus nor contemporary believers can do this on their own. It is God who will give birth in water and Spirit. Rebirth is God’s gift to give, God’s work to accomplish, and it is God who labors to bring us new life. — From “Pastoral Perspective” by Deborah J. Kapp

NOW WHAT is God’s word calling us to do?We can almost hear Jesus’ amusement in verse 10. What if Jesus was exercising a little rabbinical irony instead of divine judgment? It changes our place in the story; suddenly, there is room for our ignorance too! Nicodemus reminds us that even the best educated and most authoritative among us are still searching. No sense in clucking over what we fail to understand (and will probably never grasp in its fullness until we see God face to face, as Paul says); better to laugh at our own efforts, and then get up and try again. Wisdom such as this passage offers is mysterious and paradoxical. It begs for a little space—both to be and to laugh. — From “Homiletical Perspective” by Anna Carter Florence

Youth will explore what it means to be born from above by asking questions, as Nicodemus did.

Nic at NightGen. 12:1–4aPs. 121Rom. 4:1–5, 13–17John 3:1–17

2© 2011 Feasting on the Word Curriculum. Youth

YOU WILL NEEDo table and chairs

o snack

o card stock

o markers

o snacks

o Bibles

o flashlights

o copies of Resource

Sheets 1 and 2

o chenille stems (pipe

cleaners) or play

dough

o For Music

Connection:

recording of “Born

Again” by Newsboys

and music player

Focus on Your Teaching

The story of Nicodemus visiting Jesus at night is packed with theological themes. As you teach this session, be prepared to help the youth navigate these themes, being careful to prevent the group from disengaging due to feeling overwhelmed. Focus on helping the youth understand that being “born from above” means letting God be at work in their lives. As you prepare for this session, spend time reflecting on Anna Carter Florence’s statement: “Nicodemus reminds us that even the best educated and most authoritative among us are still searching.” What can Nicodemus teach us about exploring our faith?

God of light and life, enter the darkness of unbelief and illuminate my faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

n L E A D I N G T H E S E S S I O N

GATHERINGBefore the session, set up a simple dining table for your group. Using card stock and markers, create a place card for Jesus at one of the spaces at the table. As participants arrive, have them sit at the table and create a place card for themselves. If you have a large group, consider creating multiple dining tables with an empty chair for Jesus at each table.

As the group members enjoy a simple snack, invite them to imagine that Jesus is the guest of honor. (Be aware of participants with food allergies.) Ask: What questions do you want to ask Jesus when he arrives? Encourage the participants to casually brainstorm questions for as long as possible. Explain to the group that today’s Scripture passage is about Nicodemus, who asked Jesus questions one night, and pray:

God of light, guide our conversations today as we open your holy Word and explore our questions of faith. Illumine our darkness as we seek to do your will. Amen.

EXPLORINGIntroduce Nicodemus to the participants by reading together John 7:50–52 and John 19:39–40. After each passage is read, ask: What can we discern about Nicodemus from this passage? (John 7:50–52 tells us that Nicodemus is a Pharisee, a Jewish leader who was an expert in the law, who tried to help Jesus. John 19:39–40 tells us that he was wealthy and that he cared about Jesus.) Explain that today’s Scripture story happens before both of these passages.

Turn off the lights, and distribute flashlights and copies of Resource Sheet 1 (Nicodemus Skit). Have participants silently read the story on the page, which is a paraphrased version of John 3:1–17, before inviting three readers to act out the roles of narrator, Jesus, and Nicodemus. Pause the dialogue at each Leader Note to engage and discuss the story.

Nic at Night

FOCUS SCRIPTUREJohn 3:1–17

Consider watching a YouTube video that brings John 3:1–17 to life. Two possibilities include “Nicodemus’ Question to Jesus” and “Baby Bible Theatre.”

3© 2011 Feasting on the Word Curriculum. Youth

Review that the Spirit is God’s presence with us. Read John 14:26 to recall Jesus’ promise of this gift of Spirit.

Leader Notes:1. Ask: Why is it significant that Nicodemus approached Jesus at night? (He didn’t want

people to know that he was talking to Jesus. Also, the word night is used to describe separation from God in John’s Gospel. See John 9:4, 11:10, and 13:30.)

2. The Greek (the original language of this text) phrase gennēthēnai anōthen can mean “to be born again” or “to be born from above.” Jesus’ words confuse Nicodemus. Ask: Why did the Gospel writer include this confusion in the story? Which translation of this phrase do you think Jesus meant?

3. The Greek word pneuma can mean “wind” or “spirit.” Ask: How does this wordplay affect your understanding of this story?

4. Explain to the participants that this is the point in the story where the dialogue shifts to discourse (i.e., the conversation shifts to a speech).

5. In Preparing for the Session, Anna Carter Florence asks: “What if Jesus was exercising a little rabbinical irony instead of divine judgment?” Ask: Do you think Jesus was speaking with irony in his question? Or, do you think he was being judgmental? Why? Read and discuss Florence’s statement: “Nicodemus reminds us that even the best educated and most authoritative among us are still searching.”

Turn the lights back on, and invite participants to turn to John 3:1–17 in the Bibles. Explore the following questions together:P In verse 5, what does Jesus mean when he tells Nicodemus that he needs to be born

of water and Spirit? (One interpretation helpful for youth is to consider that Jesus is asking Nicodemus to let God work in his life.)

P How does this story help us understand more about God?P How does this story help us understand how we are called to live our lives as God’s

people?

RESPONDING Choose one of the following learning activities:1. Questionable Debate Nicodemus and Jesus were Jewish. In Jewish tradition, learning

often includes debate and discussion. One way this happens is by answering a question with a question. Form pairs to try such an exchange. One person asks, “What does Jesus mean when he says, ‘God so loved the world’?” The other person responds with a question about this question, such as “How much does God love us?” Carry on in this way for several minutes. What do you learn by asking and listening to each other’s questions? Other starter questions:

P How does the story of Nicodemus affect your faith? P What can we learn from Nicodemus’s conversation with Jesus?

EASY PREP

Nic at Night

In The Simpsons episode “Like Father, Like Clown,” Bart engages this style of questioning with a rabbi. Consider watching: Season 3, Episode 6, beginning at 17:25.

4© 2011 Feasting on the Word Curriculum. Youth

To simplify this activity, use markers and paper. Invite the participants to sketch something that they have learned from this session and something that shows how they intend to put what they learned into action.

2. Making Music In groups of two or three, have the participants create songs or raps in response to the question, “How does the story of Nicodemus affect your faith and your understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?” Consider video recording the songs and raps and posting the recordings on your congregation’s Web site.

3. Chat Groups Divide the participants into groups of two or three, and give each group a copy of Resource Sheet 2 (Perspective). Invite groups to read and discuss the information on the page. After a few minutes, give each group an opportunity to report highlights from their conversation with the rest of the participants.

CLOSINGGive each participant a chenille stem or play dough, and ask each person to sculpt something that he or she has learned during your time together. Give participants an opportunity to show and explain their sculptures with the rest of the group. Have each person transform his or her sculpture into something that shows how he or she will put that learning into action in the coming week. Gather around the sculptures and pray a closing prayer. Encourage the participants to take home their sculptures as a reminder to put their faith into action in God’s world.

n E N H A N C E M E N T

MUSIC CONNECTIONListen together to “Born Again” by Newsboys. If possible, watch one or more of the YouTube videos for this song. To help the participants find connections between the song and the story of Nicodemus, ask: P Do the lyrics of this song reflect Jesus’ message in John 3:1–17? Why or why not? P What are some specific examples of the difference between living in fear and giving

God your best?P What does it mean to take a stand as a follower of Jesus Christ?

Nic at Night

5© 2011 Feasting on the Word Curriculum. Youth 5

YouthResource Sheet 1

March 20, 2011

Nicodemus Skit

Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group.

There was a man of the Pharisee sect, Nicodemus, a prominent leader among the Jews. Late one night he visited Jesus.

Discuss Leader Note 1.

Rabbi, we all know you’re a teacher straight from God. No one could do all the God-pointing, God-revealing acts you do if God weren’t in on it.

You’re absolutely right. Take it from me: Unless a person is born from above, it’s not possible to see what I’m pointing to—to God’s kingdom.

How can anyone be born who has already been born and grown up? You can’t re-enter your mother’s womb and be born again. What are you saying with this “born-from-above” talk?

Discuss Leader Note 2.

You’re not listening. Let me say it again. Unless a person submits to this original creation—the “wind-hovering-over-the-water” creation, the invisible moving the visible, a baptism into a new life—it’s not possible to enter God’s kingdom. When you look at a baby, it’s just that: a body you can look at and touch. But the person who takes shape within is formed by something you can’t see and touch—the Spirit—and becomes a living spirit. So don’t be so surprised when I tell you that you have to be “born from above”—out of this world, so to speak. You know well enough how the wind blows this way and that. You hear it rustling through the trees, but you have no idea where it comes from or where it’s headed next. That’s the way it is with everyone “born from above” by the wind of God, the Spirit of God.

Discuss Leader Note 3.

What do you mean by this? How does this happen?  You’re a respected teacher of Israel and you don’t know these basics? Listen carefully.

Discuss Leader Notes 4 and 5.

I’m speaking sober truth to you. I speak only of what I know by experience; I give witness only to what I have seen with my own eyes. There is nothing secondhand here, no hearsay. Yet instead of facing the evidence and accepting it, you procrastinate with questions. If I tell you things that are plain as the hand before your face and you don’t believe me, what use is there in telling you of things you can’t see, the things of God? No one has ever gone up into the presence of God except the One who came down from that Presence, the Son of Man. In the same way that Moses lifted the serpent in the desert so people could have something to see and then believe, it is necessary for the Son of Man to be lifted up—and everyone who looks up to him, trusting and expectant, will gain a real life, eternal life. This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again.

6© 2011 Feasting on the Word Curriculum. Youth 6

YouthResource Sheet 2

March 20, 2011

When Jesus tells Nicodemus that he needs to be born again by water and Spirit, he is asking Nicodemus to let God work in his life. Jesus invites Nicodemus, as he invites each of us, to come into the light of day and become mature believers, full participants in the abundant life he offers. Jesus knows that neither Nicodemus nor contemporary believers can do this on their own. It is God who will give birth in water and Spirit. Rebirth is God’s gift to give, God’s work to accomplish, and it is God who labors to bring us new life.

—From “Pastoral Perspective” by Deborah J. Kapp

Discussion Questions:What do you have to do to allow God to work in your life?

What’s the difference between a mature believer and an immature believer?

What does it mean to be a full participant in the abundant life that Jesus offers?

How does the story of Nicodemus visiting Jesus affect your faith and your understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ?

Perspective