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Index
Topic: Do you know what salvation means?
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'” John 3:3
The purpose of this lesson is to show that God offers us salvation through faith in Jesus and that through the new birth we have a life transformed by the Word of God and directed by the Holy Spirit.
Note: Teachers should read Luke 7:36 to 50.
Introduction
Adolescents, think about someone who talks about the Bible and even about God. Does that mean that this person has already experienced salvation? Today we are going to learn about a man who knew a lot about the Scriptures, but Jesus showed him something he still needed to understand. What did this man lack? And what can we learn from his experience?
Development
The Bible tells us about Nicodemus. He was a Pharisee, that is, he belonged to a Jewish religious group that studied the Law of Moses a lot and strictly followed its commandments and traditions. Nicodemus was one of the main religious leaders and a teacher in Israel, as he knew the Scriptures and taught them to the people. One night, he went to look for Jesus.
Certainly, as a religious leader, Nicodemus was afraid of being seen talking to Jesus, because many Pharisees did not accept his teachings. Perhaps he wanted to talk to Jesus more calmly, away from the crowds. The important thing is that Nicodemus recognized that Jesus’ miracles would not happen if God were not with Him.
When he met Jesus, he said, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” John 3:2b. Rabbi means “my master.” And Jesus began to teach Nicodemus: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3b. Nicodemus did not understand. Born again? How can a grown man be born again? Is it possible to return to his mother’s womb? He was thinking of physical birth, but Jesus was talking about spiritual birth.
Jesus explained: “…Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” John 3:5. He continued: “That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:6. Jesus showed that natural birth, by which we receive physical life, is different from the new birth, coming from the action of the Holy Spirit. And to help, he used the example of the wind.
The wind blows, we hear its sound and we can feel it, but we cannot see it or determine where it comes from or where it goes. So is the action of the Holy Spirit in the life of the one born of the Spirit. Nicodemus asked, “How can these things be?” John 3:9. Jesus then showed him that, although he was a teacher in Israel, he did not know about the new life in Jesus.
Jesus went on to explain and revealed one of the greatest demonstrations of God’s love: “For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. What a marvelous revelation! Jesus showed Nicodemus that God loved mankind so much that he sent his own Son to offer salvation. Eternal life would not be conquered by knowledge of the Law, religious position, or good works. It would be obtained by faith. It was necessary to believe in the Son of God.
Have you noticed how everything Jesus taught Nicodemus is linked to salvation? Jesus showed that it was necessary to be born again and that eternal life is received by those who believe in Jesus, the Son of God. We are not saved because we have a religion. We are saved by the grace of God, through faith in Jesus. “… that whoever believes in Him should not perish.” John 3:16b.
And this salvation does not let us live in the same way. We must be born of water and the Spirit. Water speaks to us of the purifying action of the Word of God. The Bible says, “That He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word.” Ephesians 5:26. When we hear and receive the Word of God, we learn about the love of Jesus, we know the way of salvation, and we understand how He wants us to live. The Word also shows us what needs to change in our hearts and leads us to repentance.
But Jesus didn’t just talk about water. He also talked about the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who works the new birth and enables us to live according to God’s Word. Jesus promised, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:26. What a promise! The Holy Spirit is like the wind. We do not see the wind, but we perceive its action.
The same is with the Holy Spirit: we do not see him with our eyes, but we can feel his transforming operation in our lives. He helps us to recognize our mistakes, to understand the Word of God, and to choose what pleases the Lord. And do you know what is wonderful? We do not have to face the difficulties of life alone. The Holy Spirit helps us, strengthens our faith, and reminds us of the teachings of Jesus.
Think of an adolescent who used to lie. By listening to God’s Word, the Holy Spirit makes him/her understand that Jesus is the truth. So he/she decides to speak the truth, even when it means acknowledging that he/she has made a mistake. Or imagine that, at home, an adolescent was rebellious with his/her parents. But now the Holy Spirit reminds him/her of the teachings of the Word that speaks to honor our father and mother. So he/she chooses to treat his/her parents with respect and to honor them. It is God’s Word guiding our choices and the Holy Spirit helping us to put it into practice!
And in this month of dedication, the Holy Spirit leads us to dedicate our lives more to the Lord. And what does this dedication mean? It is to give our hearts, our thoughts, our time, and our choices to Him. Jesus loved us so much that He gave His life to save us! So, let’s give our lives more to the Lord, letting the Holy Spirit transform us and lead us closer to Jesus every day!
Conclusion
Adolescents, salvation is not having a religion. It is believing in Jesus as Savior and having a new life transformed by the Word of God and directed by the Holy Spirit! Allow the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to direct your choices every day of your life.
But remember: today’s message is not just about what we need to leave behind. It is mainly about the wonderful life that Jesus offers us! A life of communion with God, of joy, of peace, of leading the Holy Spirit, and of hope for eternal life.
Don’t wait to become an adult to live this experience! Believe in Jesus as your Savior, seek the Lord in prayer and choose to live according to his Word, letting yourself be guided by the Holy Spirit. Old things have passed away! In Jesus, all things have become new! “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” II Cor 5:17.
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Question for Adolescents
Read John, chapter 3, verse 3, and answer: What does it mean to be born again? It is to receive a new life in Jesus, being transformed by the action of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God. “Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.'” John 3:3