Bellwork: Look over this week’s verse Philippians 2:1-2 So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.

Objectives I will know the background of the Jewish leaders I will recall the events up to this point and assess the Jewish leaders’ thoughts, feelings about Jesus I will understand who the Samaritans are and why the Jews look down on them I will identify the woman at the well was looking for satisfaction and compare that to how we today try to satisfy. I will create a T-Chart to critique the 2 ways Jesus offered salvation to Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman.

Jesus and Nicodemus Lesson 2.6

Cana Wedding First Followers Temptation Baptized

Sanhedrin

Nicodemus

Who was Nicodemus? Nicodemus is mentioned 3 times in the Bible. John 3; 7:50-52; 19:39 He was a “ruler of the Jews.” This means “member of the Sanhedrin” (special council/court of 70 people that was the highest level of Jewish government). A “master” of Old Testament scriptures (John 3:10). Yet he was spiritually ignorant just like other Pharisees.

Nicodemus the Coward Nicodemus was clearly fearful of meeting with Jesus publicly. How do we know this? He came to Jesus by night (3:2) Why did he need to be afraid? He risked losing prestige, power, and position if he was found out. Sympathizers with Jesus in this time were often persecuted by the Pharisees (legally and secretly).

Nicodemus the Courageous While he showed cowardice, he also showed courage by going to Jesus in the first place. He shows courage in John 7 and 19. Nicodemus goes from secretly asking questions to openly associating himself with Christ. These 2 personalities illustrate the difference in a man before and after he is saved. There is no room in Christianity for cowards (1 Tim. 1:7).

Importance of New Birth Jesus taught Nicodemus that he “must be born again.” We know this teaching was important to Jesus for 3 main reasons: 1. It was the first subject Jesus publicly taught. 2. He uses verbal emphasis (“truly truly”) 3. He says its is the ONLY way to get into Heaven.

The Nature of New Birth Christ says we must be born “of water and the Spirit.” “must”: it is a command; not an option. “of water”: physical birth The New Birth is NOT physical; it IS spiritual. “you must be born AGAIN”: the word for ‘again’ in Greek means ‘renewed’ or ‘from above.’ Therefore, Jesus is arguing that the New Birth is not from below, but from above. Being “born again” is a refocusing of our desires and affections by the Holy Spirit.

The Gospel

The Woman at the Well Chapter 2.7

Jesus And The Samaritan Woman

Context The people now wanted to make Jesus their political king. (not spiritual) Jesus left the area to escape them. Jesus ran from popularity; we tend to run toward it. (“He must increase, but I must decrease.” John 3:30) Jesus headed for Galilee through Samaria.

The Place Story takes place in Sychar, a city in Samaria. Samaria is sandwiched between Judea (south) and Galilee (north)

The People Omri, king of Israel, bought the city of Samaria from Shemer for 2 talents of silver (1 Kings 16:24). It was the capital of Israel for 200 years. In 722 BC, Sargon, king of Assyria, captured and destroyed the 10 tribes of Israel. He repopulated the area with pagan people with foreign gods and forced the Israelites to marry them.

Lessons from Samaria Going through Samaria was the shortest route from Galilee to Judea. Jesus knew there was a woman there who needed to be saved and given a new mission. Jesus used this to teach his disciples about racial prejudice and evangelism. What does this passage teach all believers about racial prejudice and evangelism?

Nicodemus & Samaritan Woman Setting: night, secret, planned Background: male/Sanhedrin/Je w Salvation: born again Response: walked away/believed later Setting: noon, not planned, out in open Background: female/bad rep /despised Samaritan Salvation: living water Response: believed and told others

Woman at the Well -- new song