REFLECTIVE READING TEMPLATE JOHN

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REFLECTIVE READING TEMPLATE Reflective Reading Passage: John 3: 1 – 12 Use this template and the course texts The Inquisitive Christ and Approaching the New Testament to record brief notes for each step of the reflective reading process. Step One: Prepare Use this space to understand the key elements of context to your passage. Consulting Approaching the New Testament, please complete the contextual information according to the information found in the course textbook: According to Approaching the New Testament, who is the author of this biblical book? The author of this biblical book is John, the son of Zebedee and disciple of Jesus, According to Approaching the New Testament, when was this biblical book written? Around 80 AD According to Approaching the New Testament, what is the overall theme of the book? Jesus as the Christ, one with God. Step Two: Read Use this space to re-write the full passage of scripture: John 3: 1-12 1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “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.” 3 Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said to him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” 5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So, it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” 9 Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? 11 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. 12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heaven (Jn 3:1–12)

Reflect: Use this space to answer the following questions. Consult The Inquisitive Christ for insight into pertinent Gospel texts. If there is dialogue in the passage, who is speaking? There is a dialogue between Nicodemus and Jesus. What questions are asked 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?” “How can these things be?” “Are you the teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? How would you answer the questions asked? From the Inquisitive Christ P, 33, “Questions are a constant force in a careening world. They contain raw power—the power to harm, the power to bless. They are the oxygen of dialogue, existing in each breath. A conversation with no questions becomes a stagnant pond. When we observe our daily language, we notice that questions are favored darlings in any interaction. Questions punctuate the air around us, fluttering into our conversations like moths to light. Questions are the threads that connect a disconnected society. They enter our lives as quiet reminders of humanity’s imperfect knowledge.” From the Inquisitive Christ P, 42, Jesus is still asking questions today. He loves questions, and with that love, we are now released. Our Liberator is the Inquisitive Christ. Questions always lead us somewhere. Either they lead to mistrust and doubt, or they lead us to the source of truth. Our mistrust doesn’t frighten Jesus. He not only rescues us from doubt, but he also engages with us in it. He uses questions as instruments—for our healing and for his glory.” I would have explained what I know about being born again and what the Word of God Says that you must be baptized and transformed a “new creation.” And I would have answered honestly and compassionately as Christ did, seeing that Nicodemus did not understand what it meant to be “born again. “meaning that someone has accepted Jesus as God and become a Christian. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! (John 3:5) Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

What words or phrases stand out to you? Are any words/themes repeated? The phrases that stand out to me are: Truly, truly, I say to you. Words/themes repeated: Jesus answered, Truly, truly, I say to you, born again, born of the Spirit.” born of water and the Spirit, What questions do you have as you read this passage? Why is it that Nicodemus, a teacher of Israel, didn’t know what it meant to be born again? Step Four: Pray Use this space to formulate a prayer to God, dialoguing with Him about what he may be speaking to you in this passage: I can see clearly from this passage the importance of studying your word, being in prayer, asking questions, and waiting for answers. I need to be equipped with knowledge if I am to help others. Your word says in (Hosea 4:6) “that my people perish for lack of knowledge.” And it is important that if I “ Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy:15). But Lord, as I read the passage, you have revealed an area of judgment to me on my part. Please help me respond to everyone Godly, lovingly, and gracefully. As your word says in ( James 4:6) … But He gives more grace . Therefore, He says: “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Thank you for your conviction and for revealing when correction is needed. Thank you, Lord! In Jesus’ Name! Amen Step Five: Respond Use this space to contemplate how God may be asking you to respond to this passage in your life with him: Regardless of how old a person is or what position they may hold, there is still room to learn. No one knows everything. Everyone learns and grows differently. Be careful of Judging others based on what I think they should know. Be gentle and compassionate as I, too, “am ever learning” and have not always understood the little I know.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY Cara L. T. Murphy, “John,” in Approaching the New Testament: A Guide for Students (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2022), 74. Cara L. T. Murphy, “John,” in Approaching the New Testament: A Guide for Students (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2022), 75. Cara L. T. Murphy, The Inquisitive Christ: 12 Engaging Questions (New York City, NY: FaithWords, 2020), 33. Cara L. T. Murphy, The Inquisitive Christ: 12 Engaging Questions (New York City, NY: FaithWords, 2020), 42.

REFLECTIVE READING TEMPLATE JOHN

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