Gospel doctrine Lesson Five Born Again Purpose: To help class members understand that to receive everlasting life, we must be “born again” and continue to follow Jesus Christ. Cultural Note: The Pharisees were a select group (there were never more than 6,000 of them at a time) who had each made a sacred covenant that they would devote every moment of his entire life to obeying the Ten Commandments. Since these commandments are given in rather general terms, the Pharisees spent their time studying them and applying them to daily life. They recorded their beliefs and rules in a book called The Mishnah. In the Mishnah the simple commandment of ‘Keep the Sabbath day holy’ was expanded to fill 24 chapters of text. The Talmud was created to help explain the Mishnah. In the Talmud there are an additional 156 pages written about how to keep the Sabbath day holy. Thus, to the Pharisee, salvation was the work of the individual. Because of this Nicodemus thought the person did all the work. What Jesus is telling him is in fact God does all the work. “Jesus doesn’t make up the difference. Jesus makes all the difference. Grace is not about filling gaps. It is about filling us.” Brad Wilcox In what ways are you a Nicodemus, trying to earn your way into heaven?
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Gospel doctrine Lesson Five
Born Again
Purpose: To help class members
understand that to receive everlasting
life, we must be “born again” and continue to follow
Jesus Christ.
Cultural Note: The Pharisees were a select
group (there were never more than 6,000 of them at a time) who had each made a sacred covenant that they
would devote every moment of his entire life to obeying the Ten Commandments.
Since these commandments are given in rather general terms, the Pharisees spent
their time studying them and applying them to daily life. They recorded their beliefs
and rules in a book called The Mishnah. In the Mishnah the
simple commandment of ‘Keep the Sabbath day holy’
was expanded to fill 24 chapters of text. The Talmud was created to help explain the Mishnah. In the Talmud there are an additional 156 pages written about how to keep the Sabbath day holy.
Thus, to the Pharisee, salvation was the work of the
individual. Because of this Nicodemus thought the
person did all the work. What Jesus is telling him is in fact
God does all the work.
“Jesus doesn’t make up the difference. Jesus
makes all the difference. Grace is not about filling
gaps. It is about filling us.” Brad Wilcox
In what ways are you a Nicodemus, trying to earn your
way into heaven?
Physical Birth Spiritual Birth
When birth occurs a new mortal life is begun
The child is endowed with the characteristics of his father
The child receives his father’s name
The child has the potential to become like his father
A child’s physical body receives nourishment from his parents.
Compare our physical birth to our spiritual birth. In the second column, write the spiritual equivalent of the temporal event listed on the left.
“Mere compliance with the formality of the ordinance of baptism does not mean that a person has been born again. No one can be born again without baptism, but the immersion in water and the laying on of hands to confer the Holy Ghost do not of themselves guarantee that a person has been or will be born again. The new birth takes place only for those who actually enjoy the gift or companionship of the Holy Ghost, only for those who are fully converted, who have given themselves without restraint
to the Lord.” Bruce R. McConkie, Mormon Doctrine, p101.
Line upon Line Read John 4
As you read the story of the woman at the well, notice the progression of her testimony.
She begins in v 9 by simply calling Jesus, “A Jew”. In v 11 she refers to him as, “Sir”. In v 19 she calls him, “a prophet”. And finally, in v 29 she refers to him as “the Christ”. What things did the woman do to
move her testimony forward? How has your own testimony
grown, “line upon line”?. What things can you do to continue strengthening and expanding
your own testimony of the Savior?
Read John 4:34. Jesus said that obedience to the will of
the father filled him. In what ways have you noticed that
you are filled and/or satisfied through your own obedience to
our Father in Heaven?
Thought Questions
1. In what ways can you identify with the
woman in this story?
2. What does this encounter reveal about Jesus’ attitude toward
those who sin?
3. When have you felt the Savior’s love for
you?
A very important part of this story is often missed. Read it again carefully. After her encounter with the Savior, what did the woman forget? She
forgot her jar! The heavy burden that she carried day in and day out was left at the feet of the Savior. The shame that accompanied her to the well
was forgotten and in its place was a new purpose…to tell the world that the Messiah had come. How does the woman’s response to the Savior and his teachings inspire you? What can you do to lay your burdens at his feet?
What can you do to spread the word that the Messiah has come?
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