Reflective Reading John S
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Liberty University *
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Religion
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Feb 20, 2024
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Uploaded by DoctorGalaxyGoldfish51
BIBL 110
R
EFLECTIVE
R
EADING
T
EMPLATE
Reflective Reading Passage: __
John 3:1-12
________________________________
Step One: Prepare
By consulting and citing
Approaching the New Testament, who is the author of this biblical book
(in 2-3 sentences)?
John was the author of The Gospel of John. According to the almost unanimous support of the early church fathers, John wrote from Ephesus. Scholars point toward internal evidence that suggests John’s audience to be Christians of the Diaspora, most likely Greek-speaking Jewish believers.
1
By consulting and citing
Approaching the New Testament
, when was this biblical book written (in 1 sentence)? John, the son of Zebedee and disciple of Jesus, wrote around AD 80.
2
By consulting and citing
Approaching the New Testament
, what is the overall theme of the book (in 2-3 sentences)? Because of the destruction of the temple in AD 70, the Gospel of John is written partly as a response. John wrote with the intentional purpose of presenting the risen Jesus Christ as the solid
answer to a discouraged Jewish Christianity. Likewise, many Jewish Christians were facing expulsion from local synagogues, alienation from their communities, and persecution for belief in Jesus Christ
3
1 Cara L. T. Murphy, “John,”
in Approaching the New Testament: A Guide for Students
(Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2022), 74.
2 Cara L. T. Murphy, “John,”
in Approaching the New Testament: A Guide for Students
(Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2022), 74.
3 Cara L. T. Murphy, “John,”
in Approaching the New Testament: A Guide for Students
(Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2022), 76.
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BIBL 110
Step Two: Read
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews, came to Jesus. He called Jesus Rabbi. He told Jesus that he knew he was a teacher sent by God because of the things he had done. Jesus explains to him that you must be reborn. Not reborn as a physical child but by the Holy Spirit.
Nicodemus had a difficult time understanding what Jesus told him, so Jesus said that he should be able to understand due to him being the teacher of Israel. Jesus asked him a question: if you do not believe the things you have seen (me do) here in person, how can you believe of the thing in heaven? Personal translation of John 3:1-12
Step Three: Reflect
If there is dialogue in the passage, who is speaking (in 1 complete sentence)?
Nicodemus was inquiring of Jesus on how to be saved..
What questions are asked in the passage? Please list all
questions located in the passage.
“How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
(Nicodemus asked Jesus)
“How can these things be?” (Nicodemus not understanding being Born Again)
“
If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?
(Jesus asking Nicodemus)
How would you answer each of the questions asked (in at least 3 sentences)?
You can not be physically reborn; you have to be reborn by faith. You must trust in Jesus and believe he did and rose again so you can be forgiven by Grace. You Must confess your sins to be forgiven of them.
Because I am The Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, no one comes unto the Father except through me. You must throw away your old self, follow me. You must go out and proclaim me to everyone you meet.
Because I am only human and must increase my faith in order to understand such things. I know my eyes did not deceive me, but my mind finds it hard to understand. I do want eternal life; please teach me how to achieve it.
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BIBL 110
What words or phrases stand out to you, and why? Are any words/themes repeated? If so, share why you think there is repetition. Please answer with at least 3 sentences.
Born again, Repeated so we are able to figure out what we are being told.
“Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and bear witness to what we have seen, but you
do not receive our testimony.” (John 3:11) Jesus is making Nicodemus aware that he has seen the miracles and still does not believe. I have seen a couple of miracles in my life, which has strengthened my faith.
What questions do you have as you read this passage? If you have no questions, please explain why this might be the case.
My question would be to Nicodemus. Why can you not believe in God when you have seen what he can do in person? I can understand the confusion about being born again, but can't figure out why he was shy on faith.
Step Four: Pray
Lord, I ask that the holy spirit will assist me in having greater and greater faith in you. I know my mind tends to doubt and leads me astray. I pray that I can have a closer walk with you and that folks can see Jesus in me and my actions so I can be a witness for you and assist the Holy Spirit in bringing those I talk to, to Christ. Share with me the knowledge to explain your Word to
those I interact with.
Step Five: Respond
Right now, I am not sure of what my next calling is. I am learning about things I thought I knew about Christ and the Bible. I will be able to use this knowledge in whatever God leads me for the next chapter of my life. I have been thinking a lot about incorporating God, The Bible, and devotion time in a YouTube Channel we have when we start traveling.
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