Jesus Teaches About New Birth

John 3:1-21

The Big Idea

Jesus teaches that new birth is spiritual. God’s Spirit brings new life, and we can listen, ask honest questions, and trust Jesus.

The Bible Story

Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

In John 3:1-8, Nicodemus, a Pharisee and ruler of the Jews, visits Jesus at night. He recognizes Jesus as a teacher who has come from God. Jesus teaches that no one can see the kingdom of God without being born again. He explains birth by water and the Spirit, contrasts flesh and Spirit, and compares the Spirit’s work to the wind. This is spiritual teaching, not a description of a literal second birth. Nicodemus asks how these things can happen, showing that he is trying to understand. The passage presents Jesus and Nicodemus in a quiet conversation about God’s kingdom and the Spirit’s work.

Themes

Being born again Faith in the Son of Man God’s love for the world Light and darkness Salvation and judgment The work of the Spirit Truth and evil

Bible moment

The Bible moment

Look closely

What children can notice

Jesus teaches Nicodemus about being born again and the difference between flesh and Spirit. A gentle symbolic composition may include flowing wind and water as teaching imagery while keeping Jesus and Nicodemus in conversation.

Talk together

Talk about it

What does Jesus say about being born again?
Why might wind help explain the Spirit’s work?

For families, church, and class

Use this page

Use this page with John 3:1-8 for family worship, Sunday school, classroom discussion, or homeschool study. Invite children to notice the difference between a literal picture and symbolic teaching. Keep the conversation gentle and age-appropriate, especially when discussing the Spirit and new birth.

Source note