Preparing for Sunday - John 3:16-21

February 19, 2015 by Bret Capranica Preparing for Sunday

Read John 3:1-21.
Read John 3:16-21 again. How does this section relate to Jesus' encounter with Nicodemus in 3:1-15?
What does "the world" refer to in 3:16? How do you know? How is this word used in John's Gospel to give you some ideas of what it refers to?
How has God shown love to the world? Why did it need to be in this way?
What does it mean to "believe" in Jesus? How does 3:1-21 help you to understand what is involved in believing in Jesus?
What are the results of belief in Jesus? What does "should not perish" indicate about the present condidtion of those who do not believe? How does verse 18 help you see the answer to this?
According to verses 20-21 what does unbelief look like? What does true belief look like?
According to verse 19, why don't people believe?

Why is it important to read John 3:16 together with the story of Nicodemus and the rest of the section (3:17-21).
How would Jesus' explanation of eternal life to Nicodemus parallel or is different from Jesus' explanation of eternal life to the Rich Young Ruler (which we studied two weeks ago from Matthew 19:16-30)?
What does belief in Jesus look like in your life? To answer this, how do see a hatred (rather than love) for darkness and a love for what is true (vv 20-21)? What does the phrase "does what is true" (verse 21) look like practically in your life?
How could you use this whole passage (3:16-21) to explain the gospel to a non-Christian neighbor, co-worker, and/or family member you know well? What would that conversation look like? How should this passage shape the way you share the Gospel with non-Christians?
How would you used this passage to talk with a person who is struggling to know if they are or are not a Christian? How would you encourage them to settle this issue based on what you learn from the whole passage?
How should this passage encourage your heart as a Christian? How could it be used to shape the way you live as a Christian now after your conversion?

What non-Christians in your life could you pray for right now in light of this passage? Who could you invite to church this weekend who needs to hear this passage. Make a point to personally invite them. Consider asking them to have lunch with you afterward (or sometime soon) to talk about the message with them.
How could this passage encourage you to pray specifically for our congregation? Pray now.
Write down specific ways this passage would encourage you in your Christian life right now.
Pray for those who will be leading the service this week: Dawson Bryant, music; Brandon Ferguson, Elders' Prayer and Scripture Reading; Brett Harris, teaching.
Listen to the music we will sing this week and prepare yourself to sing with understanding and zeal when we gather on the Lord's Day. Use the lyrics to meditate on the message of each song.