HEAVEN’S ENTRANCE REQUIREMENT

JESUS THE SAVIOR

Christian and Missionary Alliance Churches of the Philippines

Lesson 4

HEAVEN’S ENTRANCE REQUIREMENT

Aim:  That each learner will receive Christ into his life.

Scripture: John 3:1-21

Memory Verse: John 3:3 – No one can see the Kingdom of God unless He is born again. (NIV)

In Advance

1.      Pray

2.      Memorize John 3:3

3.      Study John 3:1-21

Background of the Scripture passage used:

      Nicodemus was a Greek name which meant conqueror of the people.  He was a Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin.  He seemed to have been an earnest man strongly attracted to the character and teachings of Christ.  Perhaps the possibility of being rejected by his fellow Pharisees hindered him from openly pursuing his interest in Christ.

      Later, Nicodemus showed more courage in protesting against the condemnation of Christ (John 7:47-52).  Ironically, in the said passage Nicodemus spoke up after the Pharisees implied that no leader believed in Jesus.

      The final reference to Nicodemus is in John 19:39,40 where he is recorded to have brought an extravagant amount of spices to anoint the body of the Lord.

CLASS SESSION

ENTRANCE

ASK:

1.         What schools or jobs have entrance requirements?

Answer:  Colleges and universities, teaching, laws, medicine, military training, etc.

2.         What are the usual entrance requirements?

Answer:  Exams, eligibilities, height, etc.

Transition Sentence: We are going to study heaven’s entrance requirements.

SUBSTANCE

            Ask three learners to read aloud seven verses each while their classmates silently follow in their own Bibles. Write the following on the board for the whole class interaction:

            Questions:

1.      How is Nicodemus described? (vv. 1,2,4,9)

Answer: a.  He was a religious leader – a Pharisee and a member of the Jewish ruling council (v.1).

b.  He recognized that Jesus was a better teacher and that He came from God (v.1).

c.  He was s sincere seeker of truth (vv. 4&9).

2.      According to Jesus, what is heaven’s entrance requirement? (v.3)

Answer: To be born again or to have spiritual life.

3.      What does being “born again” mean?  (cf. John 1:12-13)

Answer:  It means being born of God or receiving spiritual life from God (regeneration) as a result of having faith in Christ.

Note:       The first birth or being born of water could mean either natural birth or water baptism as them practiced by John the Baptist.  In either case, Jesus was saying that in order to enter heaven, a person needs a second birth from the Spirit of God Himself. (vv. 5-8).

4.      How does the “snake in the desert” (Numbers 21:4-9) illustrate what Christ came to accomplish? (vv. 14-18)

Answer:  Anyone who puts his faith in Christ shall be saved. Those who do not trust in  Him alone for salvation are condemned already, like those snake-bitten people in Numbers 21:4-9.  Christ is God’s provision and the only adequate provision that could free us from the condemnation we al deserve because of sin.

General Truth: Spiritual life which leads to heaven is through believing in Jesus Christ.

SIGNIFICANCE

Ask the following questions orally for everyone:

1.      What do some people think are ways that will qualify them to enter heaven? Evaluate them.

Expected answers and passages that refute them: (Write answer and passage on the board and read them).

a.      Righteous living – Isaiah 64-6; Romans 3:10

b.      God works – Ephesians 2:8

Any answer other than by faith in Christ is refuted by John 3:3.

2.      How about you? Are you sure you have met heaven’s entrance requirement?

(Pause for a moment of silence)

Write this continuum on the board:

SPIRITUAL JOURNEY CONTINUUM  

            Let the learners evaluate their present spiritual state.  At what point are they in the Spiritual Journey Continuum? Challenge  them with the possibility for growth that each child of God has while still on this earth.

PERFORMANCE

            If several seem not to have experienced the new birth yet, go through a simple evangelistic tool with the whole class and lead in a prayer of acceptance. Announce your availability later for a longer talk with them on this most important subject matter.

            If all seem to have been born again already, have a time of brief testimony sharing.  Let the learners answer the questions when and how they were born again as a guide to the sharing time.

            If the group is mixed, give time for silent prayer, challenging the learners to talk to God regarding their spiritual state in relation to the continuum on the board.  Point out that everyone has much room for spiritual growth while still in the body (1Corinthians 13:9-12).

            As a closing prayer, have everyone prayerfully sing the chorus, Thank You Lord for Saving My Soul.