As we begin this bible study, let’s take a moment to open our hearts and minds as we dig into what it really means to be “born again.” This idea comes from the conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus in the book of John chapter 3. Jesus tells Nicodemus: “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3, NKJV).
This teaching invites us to go deeper than just going through the motions or following religious rules. It’s all about letting God change us from the inside out—a real transformation that comes from Him.
As we walk through the Bible, we’ll try to get a clearer sense of what it means to have new life in Christ. We want to make space for the Holy Spirit to work in us, helping to fix our relationship with God and showing us how to live out our faith.
Our hope is that this study will encourage each of us to pursue a genuine change, to really experience God’s love, and to find out what He’s got in store for our lives. Let’s allow these truths to shape who we are and how we live, step by step.
Introduction To Being Born Again
The study of the Holy Spirit invites us to explore one of the most profound and mysterious aspects of Christian theology: understanding who the Holy Spirit is and how He actively engages with humanity. Through examining His identity—as part of the triune Godhead—and His transformative role in the lives of mankind, we gain insight into the ways He guides, empowers, and comforts believers. This exploration not only deepens our knowledge of spiritual truth, but also encourages us to recognize the Holy Spirit’s presence and influence in our daily lives, shaping our faith and character.
.
Want To See The Kingdom Of God
To “see the kingdom of God” means to spiritually perceive and understand God’s realm, which is his reign and authority, made possible by a work of the Holy Spirit and a spiritual rebirth, allowing one to see God’s divine order of righteousness, peace, and joy in their own life and among believers. It also involves recognizing the presence of God’s kingdom in Jesus’s ministry and experiencing this spiritual reality within the community of believers and the wider world.
Spiritual Perception
- Not a Physical Place: The kingdom of God is primarily a spiritual reality, not a physical location, so “seeing” it is a matter of spiritual perception.
- Work of the Holy Spirit: The Holy Spirit enables a spiritual understanding and seeing of the kingdom, which is impossible for a “natural man” without this divine intervention.
- Spiritual Rebirth: Jesus’s teaching to Nicodemus (John 3:3) emphasizes that one must be “born again” (born of the Spirit) to both see and enter the kingdom of God.
The Nature of the Kingdom
- God’s Reign: The kingdom of God is the place and time where God’s rule or reign is acknowledged and obeyed, and His authority is active.
- Characterized by Righteousness, Peace, and Joy: It is not about rules and regulations but a state of life characterized by righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit, according to Romans 14:17.
Experiencing the Kingdom
In the Christian Community: It is also about seeing the kingdom among believers, as God’s reign becomes evident in how they live out His teachings and the spiritual disciplines they practice.
In Your Own Life: To see the kingdom is to desire and see Jesus’s rule in your own life, leading to internal transformation and aligning with God’s values and principles.
In the Ministry of Jesus: Jesus’s life and ministry were centered on announcing and bringing the kingdom of God, and seeing it means recognizing this spiritual reality breaking into the world through him.
Scripture References
John 3:3 See The Kingdom Of God
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Want To Enter The Kingdom Of God
Entering the Kingdom of God is not achieved by human effort or good works alone, but by faith in Jesus Christ. This process is often described as being “born again,” a spiritual transformation that occurs when a person repents of their sins and places their trust in Jesus as Lord and Savior. The New Testament teaches that entrance into God’s Kingdom comes through grace, received by faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), and is marked by a personal relationship with God.
Jesus Himself said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). This new birth is spiritual, brought about by the work of the Holy Spirit, and is accompanied by repentance, faith, and a commitment to follow Christ. Baptism is often seen as an outward sign of this inward transformation, symbolizing the believer’s identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
The Role of the Father
In Christian doctrine, God the Father is the Creator and sustainer of all things. He is the source of salvation, initiating the plan to redeem humanity from sin. The Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world out of love (John 3:16), and desires that all people come to repentance and faith. The Father draws people to Himself, adopts believers into His family, and grants them eternal life in His kingdom.
The Role of the Son (Jesus Christ)
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is central to entering the Kingdom of God. Christians believe that Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross to pay the penalty for humanity’s sins, and rose from the dead. By His sacrificial death and resurrection, Jesus opened the way for people to be reconciled to God. Faith in Jesus—trusting in His work on the cross and committing to follow Him—is essential for salvation and entrance into the Kingdom. Jesus is also seen as the King who rules over God’s Kingdom and welcomes believers into eternal life.
The Role of the Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is understood as the active presence of God in the world and in the lives of believers. The Spirit convicts individuals of their need for salvation, regenerates their hearts (the “new birth”), and empowers them to live according to God’s will. The Holy Spirit also guides, comforts, and teaches Christians, enabling them to grow in faith and holiness. Through the Spirit, believers are united with Christ and become part of God’s family.
The Christian enters the Kingdom of God by responding to God’s invitation with repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. The Father initiates and oversees the plan of salvation, the Son accomplishes redemption, and the Holy Spirit applies this work to the believer’s life, leading to spiritual rebirth and transformation. Together, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit work in harmony to bring people into the Kingdom of God and sustain them in their faith.
Scripture Reference
John 3:5
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
What Changes In The Life Of The Believer
1. A Desire for God
“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so my soul pants for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God; when shall I come and appear before God.” (Psalm 42:1-2)
Although I was already praying and studying the Bible, I couldn’t get enough of God. I stopped reading the Bible just for knowledge and started reading the Bible to grow closer to God. I couldn’t get enough of Him and His presence. I woke up in the morning thinking about God. I thought about Him on my commute to work and all day while I was at work and on my commute back home. When I was home, I was reading my Bible. He was the last thought before I drifted off to sleep. As I look back over that time in my life, I see my hunger for God was one of the first real indications that I was a born-again Christian.
2. A Desire for Church Fellowship
“Not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.” (Hebrews 10:25)
The more I desired God, the more I wanted to go to church. I loved being around other people who felt about God the way I did. I loved listening to sermons, and Sunday school, and Bible study lessons. My family and friends were confused by my desire to want to always be in church. It wasn’t that I “had” to go, I “wanted” to go. I loved the atmosphere. I loved the people. I loved the love and acceptance I felt in the church. The more I attended church, the more I wanted to attend church. This too is an indication of a born-again Christian.
3. A Desire for the Word of God
“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4)
Another indication of a born-again Christian is the desire to hear and study the word of God. Christians around the world find comfort, hope, and encouragement through the scriptures. Regardless of what we face in life, there’s a scripture in the Bible on which we can stand. Christians love reading the Bible and will sometimes have Bibles in their car, on their desks at work, and in multiple locations in their homes, if they are fortunate to have multiple copies of Scripture. Christians will also take their bibles on vacation with them, or wherever they travel. And in this technologically advanced era, we have the convenience of Bible apps on our mobile devices. If you have a new-found desire to study the word of God, you may be a Christian!
4. A Desire to Grow Spiritually
“As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects unto Him who is the head, even Christ.” (Ephesians 4:14-15)
One of the side-effects of studying the Bible, attending church, and drawing closer to God is spiritual growth. Born-again Christians desire to grow in the things of God. They want to get better, be better, and serve better. Christians want to be more like Jesus. They want to be transformed into the image of Christ instead of conforming to the ways of the world.
5. Fruit of the Spirit is Evidenced
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”(Galatians 5:22-23)
As born-again Christians begin to grow spiritually, they begin to display the fruit of the Spirit as outlined in Galatians 5:22-23. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control begin to manifest instead of works of the flesh (see Galatians 5:19-21). The fruit of the Spirit are real indicators of a renewed life, a life chasing after Christ.
6. Changing from Pessimism to Optimism
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
Born-again Christians should be the most optimistic people. Our outlook on life should be positive. We should not be pessimists, seeing negative in everything and everybody. Indeed, born-again Believers stand on Romans 8:28 knowing in their hearts that everything is going to work together for their good because they love God and are called according to His purpose.
7. Exchange a Natural Worldview For A Biblical Worldview
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
Another indication of a born-again Christian is the exchange of what the world defines as acceptable behaviorfor what God defines as being right and acceptable.
Some examples include:
- Creationism verses Evolution
- 2 genders verses many genders
- Cisgender verses Transgender
- Spiritualism verses Humanism
Life becomes about worship, and worship is expressed in all areas of believers’ lives. Believers gain a greater appreciation for the Lord. Also, certain movies, books, and magazines will no longer appeal to born-again believers. Instead of finding joy in carnal things, the new Christian finds joy in spiritual matters.
8. A Desire to Share the Gospel
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)
Another indication of a born-again Christian is the desire to share the Gospel. Christians love Jesus and want their families and friends to love Him too. Born-again Christians will share the Gospel, as well as information about their church services. They want to persuade people to accept Jesus Christ because they understand the consequences of rejecting Christ.
9. A Desire for Ministry
“For I long to see you so that I may impart some spiritual gift to you, that you may be established.” (Romans 1:11)
Ministry takes all kinds of forms of serving and blessing Christ’s church as well as the surrounding community. This desire to serve is an indication of a born-again Christian.
10. Less Sin In Our Life
“My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (1 John 2:1)
Everyone sins, Christians, and non-Christians alike. However, one of the indications of born-again Christians is that we should be moving further and further away from habits of sin after accepting Christ. Sin shouldn’t have the control over our lives that it had before salvation. Blatant, presumptuous sin should never be named among Christians. The things we used to do should make us uncomfortable. We should feel conviction from the Holy Spirit when we sin against God. Thus, born-again Christians sin less as they are renewed day by day into new creations (2 Corinthians 4:16).