Curriculum
Born Again
Memory Verse:
“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.’” John 3:3
Bible Background
What Kids Will Learn
Like Nicodemus, we can ask Jesus questions and seek a new life in Him. Nicodemus had questions, and he wanted to understand who Jesus was and the new life He offered.
Scripture Summary
Nicodemus was a Pharisee and a member of the Sanhedrin, or ruling council. He was a pretty powerful leader in Jerusalem. The Pharisees didn’t like Jesus and how He challenged their views and even called them hypocrites. The Pharisees were resistant to Jesus’ teaching as they were focused on the religious laws rather than a relationship with Jesus.
But Nicodemus was curious about this Jesus. Afraid of what the other religious leaders would think, Nicodemus met up with Jesus in the middle of the night. Jesus was more than willing to lose a little bit of sleep to reach Nicodemus, answer his questions, and invite him into relationship.
Jesus explained that the kingdom of God was for everyone...not just the Jews. He also shared that people who wanted to enter the kingdom of God needed to accept Jesus and be born again. This blew Nicodemus’ mind as he was stuck trying to conceive of someone literally being born a second time from his or her mother.
Nicodemus continued asking questions, and Jesus continued answering them. Jesus shared one of the most recognized passages of the Bible, John 3:16-17, showing that God’s sacrificial love was poured out for others. This love compelled others to not only intellectually believe in Jesus, but also put their trust in Him and His plan for their lives.
After the conversation with Jesus, Nicodemus was a changed man. The Bible tells of how later on, Nicodemus boldly stands up for Jesus and defends Him (John 7:50-51).
Why Is This Important
God has a way of reaching the unreached. His way is for every person, regardless of his or her past, social status, education, or interests.
Teacher Devotion
Scripture
I Wonder About the Next Day
“But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” (John 3:20)
While Jesus answered Nicodemus’ questions that late night, He also presented some confusing concepts, challenging the views of this religious leader. It was more important for people to enter into a relation- ship with Jesus than it was to follow every religious rule. This new life that Jesus offered is the only way to enter the kingdom of God.
Nicodemus went on his way that night, and I wonder how Jesus’ words played over in his mind the next day. When he heard a baby cry in the market, was Nicodeums reminded of Jesus speaking of being born again spiritually? As the wind blew through Nicodemus’ hair on the way home that day, did he think of how Jesus spoke of those born of the Spirit? How did this new understanding of God and himself affect his everyday interactions?
We hear that Nicodemus was truly a changed man after his conversation with Jesus. Nicodemus boldly defends Jesus against the Jewish council (John 7:50-51). And even later, Nicodemus also joined Joseph of Arimathea in requesting the body of Jesus, after His crucifixion, in order to prepare it for burial (John 19:39). Since that encounter with Jesus, Nicodemus took significant steps in his relationship with Him.
The great news is that God doesn’t expect constant perfection from His children. He invites us to a life-long journey of imperfect progress. How has your relationship with Jesus affected your interactions today?
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for not giving up on me. Even as You have answered many of my questions, I still have more. Thank You for inviting me and my questions into relationship with You. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Bible Memory Verse
“Jesus replied, ‘I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you can- not see the Kingdom of God.’” John 3:3
Lead children in the following actions to learn the Bible memory verse.
- Jesus replied (Point upward.)
- I tell you (Cup hands around mouth.)
- the truth (Hold hands like a Bible.)
- Unless you are born again (Act like holding a baby.)
- You cannot see (Cover eyes.)
- The Kingdom of God (Use both hands to make a “crown” over- head.)
- John 3:3
Have children practice saying the entire verse several times. En- courage children to share their memory verse and actions with their families.
Interactive Bible Experience
Have half of your children play the role of Nicodemus and the other half play the role of Jesus in this re-enactment. Prompt each child to say and do the things in the below script.
Start with the Nicodemus Group across the room and the Jesus Group seated in the middle of the room.
Narrator: There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee.
Nicodemus Group: I’m a Pharisee!
Narrator: After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. (Have the Nicodemus group “sneak” across the room to the Jesus group.) Nicodemus Group: Rabbi?
Jesus Group: Yes, what do you need?
Nicodemus Group: We all know that God has sent you to teach us.
Jesus Group: (Nod heads to say yes.)
Nicodemus Group: Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.
Jesus Group: I tell you the truth…
(Have the Jesus Group stand up.)
Jesus Group: Unless you are born again you cannot see the Kingdom of God.
Nicodemus Group: What do you mean? (Nicodemus Group looks shocked!)
Nicodemus Group: How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?
(Have the Jesus Group put their hands on the Nicodemus Group’s shoul- ders).
Jesus Group: I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.
(Have both groups sit down.)
Narrator: Jesus said, “Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life. So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You must be born again.’”
(Teacher Note: If you feel comfortable, this would be a great time to share your faith story/testimony with children. What are your caterpillar, cocoon, and butterfly stages when you were born again?)
Snack
Butterfly Cupcakes
You’ll Need: “Born Again Lesson How-To Video”, Unfrosted cupcakes, Green frosting, Pastel M&Ms, Yogurt covered pretzels, Butterfly Cupcakes
Get Ready:
Watch the “Born Again How-To Video.”
- Help children follow these steps to make their Butterfly Cupcakes.
- Frost a cupcake.
- Lay four M&Ms of the same color for the butterfly’s body.
- Set one different-color M&M as the butterfly’s head.
- Set a yogurt-covered pretzel at each side of the body for the wings.
- Enjoy!
Game
Caterpillar Crawler Race
You’ll Need: A small fuzzy craft ball for each child, A straw for each child, Masking tape
Get Ready:
Use the masking tape to create a starting line and a finish line 2 feet apart. You can do this on the floor or a table.
Tell children that they’re going to have a Caterpillar Crawler Race. Have children practice using their straw to blow their caterpillar (a craft ball) across a table or the floor.
Then have children stand at the starting line. On “go,” children will blow their ball to the finish line. The first child across the finish line wins.
Play again as time allows.
Remind children afterward that we are like caterpillars until we are born again. Then we are beautiful butterflies because Jesus makes us a new creation.
Craft
Tissue Paper Butterfly
You’ll Need: “New Life in Jesus” handout, Tissue paper, Glue sticks
Give each child a “New Life in Jesus” handout. Have children follow these steps to make their tissue paper butterfly.
- Tear off a small piece of tissue paper.
- Wad it into a ball.
- Glue it inside the outline.
- Continue until the butterfly outline is full.
Encourage children to take their butterflies home and share with their families what it means to be born again and have new life in Jesus.
Prayer
Colorful Prayer
You’ll Need: Tissue paper squares (1 inch each), Glue sticks, Empty jar (at least one quart in size), Battery operated candle that fits in the jar
Turn on the candle in the jar.
Say: Today we’ve learned about what it means to be born again. Maybe some of us feel like caterpillars today and we’ve never asked Jesus to come into our hearts. (pause) Maybe some of us feel like butterflies with new life in Jesus. (pause) And others of us may feel like we are in the cocoon stage and waiting to see what God is doing in us. (pause)
It doesn’t matter where you are today, but we’re going to thank God in prayer.
- Follow these steps for the prayer.
- Have children stand in a circle around the jar.
- Have each child say a brief prayer of thanks, like “Thank you for butterflies” or “Thank You for helping us be born again.”
- Then that child glues a tissue paper to the jar.
When every child is done, step back and look at the colorful jar. Then close in prayer.
