Nicodemus Encounter with Jesus Christ

Syllabus tag: Kenya CBC | Grade 9 Christian Religious Education | Strand 3.0 The Life and Ministry of Jesus Christ | Sub-Strand 3.4 Nicodemus Encounter with Jesus Christ (8 Lessons)

Lesson objectives

By the end of this sub-strand, you should be able to:

• Describe Nicodemus and his encounter with Jesus in John 3:1-16.
• Explain the meaning of being born again.
• Discuss the significance of John 3:16 for Christian belief.
• Appreciate the need for personal decision in matters of faith.

Summary

John chapter 3 records a night conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council. Nicodemus opens respectfully, acknowledging that Jesus must come from God. Jesus responds with a statement Nicodemus cannot follow: no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again. The conversation that follows turns on the difference between physical birth and spiritual birth, and it culminates in John 3:16, one of the most quoted verses in the Bible.