3.

8
date: _____________

Bible Passage: John 2:2325; 3:121

(Nicodemuss Question)

God Is Love
REMEMBER VERSE
The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in
love.
Psalm 145:8

Schedule
EXPLORE

DISCOVER

RESPOND

BLESS

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Leader Prep
Each week youll find a list of resources along with encouraging articles that help you prepare
your heart to present the lesson.

Further Resources
A Small Group Enhancement is available for this lesson.
Download the following resources to help you plan and lead TruStory lessons:
Customizable copy of Lesson 8
201617 Scope and Sequence
TruStory How It Works document
HomeFront Weekly: Lesson 8 is provided for this lesson. The weekly for the next lessonto be sent home for
preteaching by parentsis found in BLESS.

If you have questions about Tru curriculum or are looking for great training, blogs, and other support resources,
visit truministry.com.

Inspire
Shares personal stories from fellow ministry leaders about how God has worked in their
lives

My grandpa once told me a story about a friend of his who was on his deathbed, lying in his room, with his
friends gathered around him. My grandpa said that at the moment of this mans death, his eyes turned sky
blue, he clapped his hands in excitement, and he said, I can see Jesus. How comforting that must have been
to those who witnessed it.

A friend, whose mom died from cancer, told me that while she and others were gathered in her moms room
worshipping, her mom began to cry with tears of joy that she would soon be worshipping in the presence of
Jesus.

One of the most amazing benefits of knowing Jesus and receiving eternal life is that we get to live with Him
for all eternity. This knowledge is comforting and exciting. The two who died are now joyfully living with Jesus.
Theyre seeing Him face-to-face.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:12, For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to
face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. We experience God in this life
through a reflection, or only in glimpses. But, someday, we will be able to see Him face-to-face the One who
loves us enough to die for us.

Tori Funkhouser
ROCKHARBOR Church

Equip
Offers perspective and context to the lesson's Bible passage

Jesus message in John 3 is both comforting and troubling. He asserts in verse 16 that God so loved the world

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that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Then, in
verse 18, Jesus says, Whoever does not believe stands condemned already.

This message came directly after a Passover feast, during which the people saw the signs [Jesus] was
performing and believed in his name (John 2:23). But Scripture also says, Jesus would not entrust himself to
them, for he knew all people (v. 24). Jesus knew the people at the Passover feast only believed because they
saw Him perform miracles; their faith wasnt true saving faith. Nicodemus probably fell into this category of
believers.

Jesus came to save people, not to punish them. Through Jesus death and resurrection, people can have
new life, and only through Gods Spirit can people truly become born-again children of God. Throughout John
3, Jesus asserts that being born again into a new life is required to receive eternal life, not just believing in
Him. As Christians, we need to know that true faith in Jesus is so much more than just looking to get things
from God or looking for signs and wonders from God, as the crowds did. True faith is about giving our whole life
to God, who loves us overwhelmingly.

Jesus Reference to Moses

In John 3:14, Jesus says, Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted
up. This refers to Numbers 21:49. In these verses, the Israelites complained again about having to live in the
wilderness, so God sent snakes into their midst, and many people died.
The people realized they had sinned and asked Moses to pray that God would take the snakes away. When Moses
prayed, God said, Make a snake and put it up on a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live (Numbers
21:8). Jesus compares Himself to the bronze snake in this situation because both were sent from God to be
physically lifted up so that people might be saved.

Support
Provides reflection and assessment through encouragement, prayer, and time in God's
Word

God loved us so much that He sent His Son, Jesus, to bridge the gap between God and man caused by sin,
thus restoring our relationship with Him. This is the whole point of The Big God Story! God loves the world and
everyone in it, and He offers us eternal life. We just have to choose to accept His gift and follow Him wherever
He may lead.

Spend some time thinking about this truth. When did you choose to follow Jesus? How has this decision
changed your life? What has God brought you through since then? In your own way, praise God for how He
has changed you, saved you, and brought you into relationship with Him.

Pray for the kids to know how wonderful it is to be changed and saved by Jesus. Pray that they, like
Nicodemus, will be curious enough to ask questions about God and seek Him out. Pray that they will, even
now, be changed forever and follow Jesus.

SMALL GROUP
SECTION

EXPLORE// 10 min.
Small Group Leaders

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Children engage in fun, creative activities designed to pique their curiosity

about the days portion of The Big God Story.
Because Nicodemus came to Jesus at night, the man probably couldnt see very well because of the darkness.
Lead the children in EXPLORE activities that will get them thinking about moving around without being able to
see.

Option 1: Eyes Down (for younger kids)

SUPPLIES
None

SET UP
Clear a large space in the room.

RELATE
Trying to find someone when you cant see very well can be tricky! In todays part of The Big God Story,
a Pharisee named Nicodemus came to Jesus at night because he didnt want people to see him. But
God sees everything, and He saw what was going on in Nicodemuss heart.

Have the children pair up, and invite one volunteer pair to come forward. Choose one child to give directions,
and have him move about 10 feet away. Ask the other child to look at the floor as you spin her three times. Now
encourage the child looking at the floor to walk toward her partner while the partner gives her directions. She
cant look up or look ahead! Once she finds her partner, the two should find each others hands and high-five.
Make sure each child gets a chance to play.

Option 2: Blindfolded (for older kids)

SUPPLIES
Blindfold or bandana

SET UP
Clear a large space in the room.

RELATE
Trying to find someone when you cant see very well can be tricky! In todays part of The Big God Story,
a Pharisee named Nicodemus came to Jesus at night because he didnt want people to see him. But
God sees everything, and He saw what was going on in Nicodemuss heart.

Have the children pair up, and invite one volunteer pair to come forward. Blindfold one child and ask the
second child to move about 15 to 20 feet away. Spin the child wearing the blindfold three times, and then tell
him to walk toward his partner. The partner giving directions should help the blindfolded child cross the room to
his partner. Once the kids meet, they should find each others hands and high-five. Make sure each child gets a
chance to play.

LARGE GROUP
SECTION

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DISCOVER// 30 min.
Host/Worship Leader/ Storyteller
Children participate in discovering Gods Word through Bible verse
memorization, interactive storytelling techniques, and worship as response.

Traditions and Remember Verse

SUPPLIES
Remember Verse image (see Resources)
Remember Verse animation (see Resources)
Mementos for your church Traditions (rocks, marbles, gum balls, etc.)

RELATE
Give the children mementos (such as rocks, marbles, or blocks) for accomplishments such as
memorizing the Remember Verse or bringing their Bibles. Have them put the objects into a clear
container or add them to a structure, and celebrate when its complete.

This weeks Remember Verse focuses on a character trait of God thats highlighted in todays
portion of The Big God Story.

The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in

love. Psalm 145:8

Connect
Question
If you could meet one famous person, who would it be and why?

Activity: Meeting in the Light

SUPPLIES
Connect Activity image (see Resources)
Connect Question image (see Resources)
Flashlight, shop light, or floodlight

SET UP
Place the light at the front of the room. Dim the ceiling lights so that its bright enough to move around the room
safely but dark enough to tell when the light at the front of the room has been turned on or off.

RELATE
Divide children into two groups. Instruct group one to spread out throughout the room, with each person
choosing one place to stand during the game. Instruct group two to move about the room quickly, visiting as
many people in group one as possible and discussing the Connect question each time. Once both people have
answered the Connect Question, instruct them to high-five. Then the person from group two may move to
another person from group one.

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Heres the catch: Children can only move when the light at the front of the room is on. If the light is off, the
kids must freeze in place. Switch the light on and off throughout the game.

The Big God Story

Bible Passage: John 2:2325; 3:121
Storytelling Technique: Changing Character Clothes
God Is Love

SUPPLIES
Timeline image (see Resources)
Timeline animation (see Resources)
Images: Star, John 3:16 (see Resources)
Audio: Stealthy Entrance (see Resources)
Bibles
Pharisee clothes (Bible-times robe or graduation gown, fancy hat or headwear, shiny belt, etc.)
Everyday clothes (jacket, baseball cap, normal belt, etc.)
Electric fan

SET UP
Place the fan at the front of the room, and make sure its plugged in. Put on the Pharisee clothes.

RELATE
Tech: Cue Stealthy Entrance audio. Enter the room from the back, moving stealthily around the room. Hide
behind objects and crawl on the ground as if youre sneaking in for a secret mission. Eventually, come to the
front of the storytelling area. Tech: Turn off the audio.

Dust yourself off and clear your throat as if composing yourself. In todays part of The Big God Story well
hear about a man named Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a Pharisee. Arrogantly puff out your chest and
adjust your clothes. Pharisees were important Jewish leaders. They were very religious and thought
perfect obedience to the Old Testament Law would cause God to send His Messiah. Who was the
Messiah? Encourage responses. Thats rightJesus. The Pharisees expected the Messiah to be a king
who would rule Israel and overthrow Israels enemies. But this wasnt Gods plan for Jesus quite yet.
Before we hear more, let's pray together. Lead children in a Prayer of Release to pause, be still, and ask the
Holy Spirit to quiet their hearts and minds.

One night, Nicodemus secretly went to speak to Jesus. Tech: Cue Stealthy Entrance audio, dim the
lights, and cue Star image. Move around stealthily for a moment; then return to center stage. Tech: Turn off the
audio and turn up the lights. Nicodemus had a lot of questions for Jesus. Invite children to open Bibles to
John 3:24 and follow along as you read these verses aloud.

Jesus talked about being born again. What does that mean? Encourage responses. The Bible says that
when we were dead in [our] sins God made [us] alive with Christ (Colossians 2:13). To be born
again means God gives us a new spiritual life when we trust and obey Jesus.

Being born again isnt something you can see; its sort of like the wind. Invite kids to follow along in
John 3:8 as you read it. Jesus said, The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you
cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. Ask for a

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volunteer with long hair to come up front. Have her face the fan, and turn on the fan so her hair blows back.
Can you see the wind? Pause for responses. No! But you can see the effects of the wind. In the same
way, Jesus said that we cant see Gods Spirit, but we can see the effects of Gods Spirit in peoples
lives. Thank the volunteer and have her return to her seat.

Jesus went on to tell Nicodemus what He would do to offer salvation to the world. He reminded
Nicodemus of something that happened to the people of Israel in the Old Testament. The people of
Israel disobeyed God, so God allowed poisonous snakes to bite the people, and many died. But when
the people repented of their sin and prayed, God told Moses to make a bronze snake and put it up on
a pole; anyone who is bitten can look at it and live Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and
looked at the bronze snake, they lived (Numbers 21:89).

Jesus explained that He was like that bronze snake! Invite the children to turn to John 3:14. Jesus said,
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that
everyone who believes may have eternal life in him (vv. 1415). Jesus knew He would be lifted up on a
cross and die for the sins of the world so people can live forever with Him and be in relationship with
Him. Jesus knew His life was a sacrifice, and He generously gave it away.

The Pharisees didnt think the Messiah should do that! They expected Him to be a ruling, reigning
king. But Jesus knew His job was to be a servant to all. So Jesus laid it all out for Nicodemus with what
He said next. Tech: Cue John 3:16 image. Invite kids to open Bibles to John 3:16 and follow along. Jesus
said, For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall
not perish but have eternal life (v. 16). Have you heard this verse before? If so, raise your hands. Pause
for kids to respond. This is what The Big God Story is all about: God is love, and He sent His Son to save
us from our sins.

Remove Pharisee clothes and accessories, fold them, and lay them aside. The Bible never specifically
tells us that Nicodemus decided to follow Jesus, but we can see that Nicodemuss encounter with
Jesus changed his life. Later in the book of John, Nicodemus spoke up for Jesus before all the other
Pharisees. Then, after Jesus died, Nicodemus helped take Jesus body and prepare it to be buried.
Nicodemus risked his reputation and humbled himself to serve the Messiah he had come to love. He
did this because He knew that God is love.

Tell the story of when you came to know Jesus. We cant be born again on our own; we must believe that
Jesus died for our sins on the cross to save us. When were born again, God gives us His Spirit. Begin
to put on everyday clothes. The Bible describes having the Holy Spirit as being clothed with power from
on high (Luke 24:49). Continue putting on everyday clothes. The Holy Spirit gives us new life so we can
become Gods children. This is such good newsand its what The Big God Story is all about! Because
God loved the world, He sent His Son, Jesus, to save us.

Worship as Response
This time allows kids to respond to God through worship. Make plans for your worship time, but
prepare yourself and your team to hold them loosely if the Holy Spirit leads the group in a
different direction.

SUPPLIES
Worship response station: Prayer Wall

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Station 1
John 3:16 sign (see Resources)
Do You Believe? cards (see Resources)
Scissors
Pencils or pens
Station 2
Why Do You Believe? sign (see Resources)
Why Do You Believe? cards (see Resources)
Scissors
Pencils or pens
Station 3
Romans 10:9 sign (see Resources)
Butcher paper (at least 6')
Tape
Markers

SET UP
Print the signs. Print and cut apart the cards, making sure you have one of each card for every child. Set up the
stations according to the directions below.

Stations 1 and 2
Tape each sign to a different corner of the room. Near each sign, set out the corresponding cards and pencils
or pens.

Station 3
Tape the sign and the butcher paper to the wall in your room. Set the markers nearby.

RELATE
Today we heard some amazing truths from God: He loves everyone so much that He sent His Son to
die for our sins and give us a life with Him forever. How great is that? Now we get to be born again and
live forever with God through faith in Jesus. Only God can give us His Spirit and new life so we can be
His children.

Were going to take a prayer walk. Well think about what it means to believe in God and be born
again. Well talk with God about some of our questions, just like Nicodemus talked with Jesus. We can
ask God questions such as Do I believe in you only because I think I should? Because I think that it
would make people happy? Or because I want to go to heaven? As you feel led, get up and walk
around to each station, in no particular order. Remember, this is a time to talk with God, not with your
friends.

ITS OKAY IF
Help kids understand that God speaks to us in many waysmostly through His Word, prayer, and others.
Encourage them to ask God for the ability to hear His voice, but also give them the freedom to know that its okay if
they do not always experience Him in the ways that other people do.

Walk around the room and model for the children how they will interact with each station. At Station 1, read
the verse on the sign. Then flip over a card and think about what it says. At Station 2, read the question
on the sign, and write your response on one of the cards. For these two stations, you can take your
cards with you or put them on the Prayer Wall. At Station 3, read the verse and respond by writing or

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drawing on the butcher paper. For younger kids, consider directing them to Station 3. Read the verse out
loud for them and have them draw on the butcher paper.

Leaders will be standing near the Prayer Wall to talk with and pray for you if you feel confused about
what to do, want to make a decision to trust and obey Jesus, or want to put a prayer on the wall. Pray
Gods Spirit would be active in the room while the kids visit the stations, ask questions, and think about their
faith.

SMALL GROUP
SECTION

RESPOND// 15 min.
Small Group Leaders
Children reflect on what the Holy Spirit is teaching them and respond
through creative activities and games.

Reflect: God Is Love

Encourage the kids to open their Bibles and read the suggested passages.

Questions for Younger Kids

What was the name of the man who spoke with Jesus? John 3:1
What was that mans job? John 3:1
Why did God send His Son, Jesus, to earth? John 3:1617
Can we become children of God all on our own? Why or why not? John 3:5
How do we become born again? Romans 10:9

Questions for Older Kids

Who was Nicodemus, and why did He want to speak with Jesus? John 3:1
What does it mean to be born again? John 3:6, 16b
Why did God send His Son, Jesus, to earth? John 3:1617
Why did Jesus say that wind was like Gods Spirit? John 3:58
In what way did Jesus say He was like the bronze snake Moses set up? Numbers 21:8; John 3:1415
Can we become children of God all on our own? John 3:5
Why do you believe in God?

God Loves the World

Children will use a globe to pray for the world to know God's love.

SUPPLIES
Bible
Inflatable globe
Index cards (1 per child)
Pencils or pens

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SET UP
Blow up the globe. Open the Bible to John 3:16 and place it in the middle of the group.

RELATE
Invite children to stand in a circle. Say the first few words of John 3:16, and then toss the globe to one of the
children, who will say the next word in the verse. The children should continue tossing the globe from person to
person, with each child saying the next word in the verse. Encourage kids to look at the Bible if they need to be
prompted. Continue until youve said the whole verse.

The Bible says, God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son (John 3:16). God loves
the world! You and I are a part of a cause bigger than our individual lives. Once were born again, we
become a part of helping the whole world know about Jesus, Gods Son, who gave His life so we could
receive eternal life. Our first step in telling the world about Gods love is to pray for them.

Now toss the globe from person to person again. This time, encourage the children to look closely at the
globe when they catch it. Have them choose a country to commit to praying for this week. Once a child
chooses a country, he should say that countrys name aloud and then toss the globe to someone else. Once
everyone chooses a country, pass out the index cards and pencils or pens, and let the kids write down the
names of their countries to remind them to pray for those countries throughout the week.

BLESS// 5 min.
Small Group Leaders
Children receive a blessing from their leaders and sometimes one another.
A blessing may be prayer of commission, a portion of Scripture, or words to
encourage and guide.
SUPPLIES
Remember Verse cards (see Resources)
HomeFront Weekly: Lesson 9 (see Resources)
Bible

RELATE
Encourage the kids to hold their hands in front of them, palms up. This posture is meant to symbolize a
willingness of heart to respond to Gods Holy Spirit and receive what God has for them. Invite them to remain in
this posture as you bless them. Encourage parents to come early in order to read the blessing over their child.

Open a Bible and read 2 Thessalonians 2:1617:

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us
eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good
deed and word.

Ask the children to take out their index cards from the previous activity and hold the cards in front of
themselves as you offer this final blessing over the group.

May you help others come to know Gods Son, Jesus, the Savior of the world.

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Send home Remember Verse cards and the HomeFront Weekly with your kids.

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