WEEK
7
OVERCOMING THE OBSTACLES OF ETERNAL LIFE
JOHN 3:1-15
Small Group Discussion Questions
Ice Breaker: Pastor James opened by saying he doesn't like Christian music. Rather, he likes worship music, but not
Christian music. What's the difference? What are your feelings about Christian music? Why do you feel that way?
1. Pastor James said the worth of any goal is measured by the obstacles you're willing to overcome to achieve it.
What are some worthy goals you have achieved? What were the obstacles you overcame to achieve your goal?
What goal are you pursuing now? What obstacles are in your way?
2. My Mental Laziness: Extend yourself toward the answers found in Jesus Christ. Read John 3:1-2. Nicodemus
was a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jews. Like many Pharisees, he was more concerned with outward conformity as
oppose to heart change. What are some areas Christians are more concerned about outward conformity? Is
outward conformity important? Why is it difficult to justify a murdering rapist who comes to profess Jesus on his
deathbed going to heaven but a kind, gentle, generous man who didn't profess Jesus destined for hell?
3. My Mental Laziness: Extend yourself toward the answers found in Jesus Christ. God will go a long way to
answer your questions if you are serious about them. What are some things people blindly believe in but have
never really done research to see if it is true? Why do people feel like it's easier to believe in that but not in Jesus
Christ? What question did you wrestle with before coming to know Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord?
4. My Soul Deadness: Embrace your need for spiritual birth from Jesus Christ. Read John 3:2-7. Jesus said one
must be born again to enter the kingdom of God. Pastor James said it this way: "Born once; die twice. Born twice;
die once." What does that mean? Pastor James said we are actually immortal! In 100,000 years from now, we will
be consciously aware of where we are. How does this fact promote fear? How does it promote comfort?
5. My Soul Deadness: Embrace your need for spiritual birth from Jesus Christ. Pastor James said many people get
this question wrong: Are you a Christian? Since this is the only question that truly matters, what is the correct way
to answer it? Pastor James said we need to have a conversion story or we're not really saved. Have someone
share their conversion story.
6. My Earthbound Heart: Engage the heavenly truth about Jesus Christ. Even aſter the clear analogy of the wind,
Nicodemus still didn't understand. Pastor James said one problem we have is that we don't want to be told the
truth by anyone. We want to figure it out on our own. What is the sin that creates this problem? Do you find that
you struggle with this sin? What can we do for the person who doesn't want to be told the truth by anyone?
7. Pastor James laid down a challenge to pray this prayer every day for the next week: “God if you're real, prove
yourself real to me.” For those who already know God is real, what prayer could you be saying every day for the
next week? How will you specifically follow up with that prayer next week?
8. My Stubborn Will: Express personal belief in Jesus Christ. Read John 3:13-15. Pastor James gave five words that
explain the Gospel of salvation: God, Sin, Substitute, Believe, Life. Have someone in you Small Group give the
Gospel using those five words. What five words do you think are most important to proclaiming the gospel of
salvation?
Conclusion: During this next week, choose one or two Bible verses that you think are best for what is meant by each of
the five words. Share why you chose those verses next week.