NT 4—John 3-4

Born Again Read John 3:1-2 What 2 things do we learn about Nicodemus from these two verses? Do we ever have these “Nic at night” moments where we’re afraid to be good in public John 3:3-5—Why does Jesus use the metaphor of birth here? Purity New life Blood, water, spirit Pain, suffering Is verse 5 just a repetition of verse 3 or are they two separate things? (next slide) Born of water/spirit (baptism)=enter (gateway to kingdom) Born again ( )=see the kingdom ( )

Born Again vs Born of Water Let us ponder the question as we read Mosiah 5:2, 5, 7. Have these people already been baptized? (Mosiah 2:3-4) They were people that had been born of water but not heretofore born again. But here they are born again (v.7) So, what does it mean that “except a man be born again, he cannot SEE the kingdom of heaven”?

Born Again vs. Born of Water (3) You may ask, Why doesn’t this mighty change happen more quickly with me? You should remember that the remarkable examples of King Benjamin’s people, Alma, and some others in scripture are just that—remarkable and not typical. For most of us, the changes are more gradual and occur over time. Being born again, unlike our physical birth, is more a process than an event. And engaging in that process is the central purpose of mortality. At the same time, let us not justify ourselves in a casual effort. Let us not be content to retain some disposition to do evil. Let us worthily partake of the sacrament each week and continue to draw upon the Holy Spirit to root out the last vestiges of impurity within us. I testify that as you continue in the path of spiritual rebirth, the atoning grace of Jesus Christ will take away your sins and the stain of those sins in you, temptations will lose their appeal, and through Christ you will become holy, as He and our Father are holy. (D. Todd Christofferson, “Born Again,” Liahona, May 2008, 76–79).

The Samaritan Woman Read John 4:3-4 with class; draw map illustrating Judea, Samaria and Galilee; discuss relationship between Samaritans and Jews and traditional travel route of Jews; I.V. John 4:6 “and said unto His disciples, I must needs go through Samaria”

The Woman at the Well (John 4:3-30, 40-42) -Why did Christ “must needs go through Samaria”? -Look for the four different ways that the Samaritan woman refers to, or addresses, Jesus. What significance is there in this progression? -Discuss with your partner what the living water is, how one gets it (footnote 14b) and what it means to have “in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life”? -What other fruits came from this trip to Samaria? (28-29, )

Living Waters tell of guarding all day, swimming and salt experience and gagging at Lava Hot Springs—Wagon Wheel café. My children, sadly, have had moments when they came to me thirsty, needing living waters; and I gave them instead, a mouthful of salt.

Living Waters In commenting on the conversation between the Savior and the woman, Elder Robert L. Simpson taught: “Throughout history men have always been looking for the easy way. [Some] have devoted their lives to finding the ‘fountain of youth,’ a miracle water which would bring everlasting life. Today [many] are still seeking … some magic ‘fountain’ that [will] bring forth success, fulfillment, and happiness. But most of this searching is in vain. … It is only this ‘living water,’ the gospel of Jesus Christ, that can and will bring a happy, a successful, and an everlasting life to the children of men.” These latter days are a time of great spiritual thirst. Many in the world are searching, often intensely, for a source of refreshment that will quench their yearning for meaning and direction in their lives. They crave a cool, satisfying drink of insight and knowledge that will soothe their parched souls. Their spirits cry out for life-sustaining experiences of peace and calm to nourish and enliven their withering hearts. Indeed, “there are many yet on the earth among all sects, parties, and denominations, who are blinded by the subtle craftiness of men, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, and who are only kept from the truth because they know not where to find it” (D&C 123:12). Let us work with all our heart, might, mind, and strength to show our thirsty brothers and sisters where they may find the living water of the gospel, that they may come to drink of the water that springs “up unto everlasting life.” The Lord provides the living water that can quench the burning thirst of those whose lives are parched by a drought of truth. He expects us to supply to them the fulness of the gospel by giving them the scriptures and the words of the prophets and to bear personal testimony as to the truth of the restored gospel to alleviate their thirst. When they drink from the cup of gospel knowledge, their thirst is satisfied as they come to understand our Heavenly Father’s great plan of happiness. (Joseph B. Wirthlin, “Living Water to Quench Spiritual Thirst,” Ensign, May 1995, 18)