Session 2 - 8th Day Lenten Series
The 8th Day Inward Journey Mission Group invites you to its Lenten Series: Create in Me a Clean Heart. We will meet on ZOOM. Link is below the text. Feel free to share with others.
When: Wednesday: March 8
Time and Duration: 7 - 7:45 p.m.
Session 2 Topic: Born From Above
Scripture: John 3:21 (Nicodemus Visits Jesus)
3Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He came to Jesus by night and said to him, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.’ 3Jesus answered him, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.’ 4Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?’ 5Jesus answered, ‘Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, “You must be born from above.” 8The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.’ 9Nicodemus said to him, ‘How can these things be?’ 10Jesus answered him, ‘Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
11 ‘Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
16 ‘For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
17 ‘Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19And this is the judgement, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.’
1.Jesus said that unless a person is born anew from above s/he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven (according to theologians, not that one is prohibited but that s/he is not capable of entering/understanding the Kingdom as a blind person does not comprehend a sunset) How would you describe the process or event by which one is born from above, of water and Spirit. based on your experience?
2. Which of these synonyms for the Holy Spirit are most helpful to you: Counselor, Comforter, Strengthener, Standby, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor?
Reflection questions
1. Jesus said that unless a person is born anew from above s/he cannot enter the kingdom of heaven (according to theologians, not that one is prohibited but that s/he is not capable of entering/understanding the Kingdom as a blind person does not comprehend a sunset) How would you describe the process or event by which one is born from above, of water and Spirit. based on your experience?
2. Which of these synonyms for the Holy Spirit are most helpful to you: Counselor, Comforter, Strengthener, Standby, Helper, Advocate, Intercessor?
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The link for each session is below.
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5320553902
Meeting ID: 532 055 3902
On your smartphone:
+19292056099,,5320553902# US (New York)
+13017158592,,5320553902# US (Germantown)
On your regular phone:
+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
Meeting ID: 532 055 3902