Nicodemus Comes to Jesus at Night
John 3:1-21; John 7:45-52; John 19:38-42 New Testament PrincipleFaith
Nicodemus was an important teacher of God's law. He came to talk with Jesus at night. Jesus told him that to see God's kingdom, a person must be born again, given a brand-new life by God's Spirit. Then Jesus said, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Later, Nicodemus stood up for Jesus and helped bury Him. Faith in Jesus brings new life.
We can't earn a place in God's kingdom by being good or important. God gives new life by His Spirit to everyone who puts their faith in Jesus, His one and only Son.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it
- RedemptionJesus fixes it (this lesson)
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
John 3:16 BSB
The Big Story · Redemption
Since the fall, people have needed more than a better try; they need new life. God sent His Son so that everyone who believes in Him would be born again and have eternal life.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 45-minute class plan and prep checklist
- A map of where it happened
- Object lesson: Can you see it?
- Ellie’s Lab (science experiment): Invisible, but real
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Which way is the wind?
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Preschool (ages 3–5)
God loves me and gave me Jesus!
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Whoosh!, Color Jesus and Nicodemus
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at home, with friends
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
Nicodemus was an important teacher. He came to see Jesus at night. Jesus told him, "You must be born again." That means God's Spirit gives you a brand-new life inside. Then Jesus said that God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so everyone who believes in Him will live forever. Later, Nicodemus stood up for Jesus. We can have faith in Jesus too.
Memory verse
“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son.”
Adapted from John 3:16
Start here
Ask, "Have you ever had a question you were a little scared to ask?" Let a few kids share. Say, "Today a very important man came to Jesus with questions, and he came at night."
Bible story 6 min
Nicodemus was a big teacher. He knew God's law very well. One night, he came to see Jesus.
"Teacher," he said, "we know God sent You."
Jesus said, "You must be born again. Then you can see God's kingdom."
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Act it out 10 min
You’ll need: A battery tea light, Strips of tissue paper or crepe paper
- Choose Nicodemus, Jesus, two leaders and Joseph. Everyone else waves tissue strips for the wind.
- Act out the skit.
- Switch so more kids get a turn.
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
3rd – 4th grade
Nicodemus, a Pharisee and leader in Jerusalem, came to Jesus at night with questions. Jesus told him no one can see God's kingdom unless they are born again by God's Spirit, a new life that comes from God, not from trying harder. Then Jesus spoke the words of John 3:16. Nicodemus didn't understand at first, but later he defended Jesus before the council and helped bury Him. Faith in God's Son brings new and eternal life.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Three times Nicodemus, Which way is the wind?
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, with friends, at church
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
Nicodemus had everything religion could offer. He was a Pharisee, a ruler and "the teacher of Israel." Yet Jesus told him that no one sees God's kingdom unless he is born again, born from above by the Spirit. New life is God's gift, received by faith in the Son He gave, who would be lifted up like Moses' snake. John follows Nicodemus from a secret night visit, to defending Jesus before the council, to openly burying Him. Faith in Jesus brings new life, and over time it makes us brave.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 6 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Born from above, Night to light
- 5 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: at school, with friends, online and on screens
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Faith
The same principle in other Bible stories.
Jesus the KingAn Angel Visits MaryLuke 1:26-38; Luke 1:5-20The angel Gabriel told Mary she would be the mother of Jesus, God's Son, and Mary trusted God's word, because nothing is impossible with God.New TestamentFaith
The Twelve SpiesNumbers 13:1–14:38Moses sent twelve spies into the land God promised. They all saw the same good land and the same giants. Ten spies said, "We can't!" Joshua and Caleb said, "The LORD is with us!" The people listened to fear instead of God. Faith means trusting what God says more than what we see.Old TestamentFaith
Rahab and the SpiesJoshua 2:1-24; Joshua 6:22-25; Hebrews 11:31Rahab lived in Jericho, a city that didn't follow God. But she heard what the LORD had done and believed He was the true God. She hid two of Israel's spies, and God saved her and her whole family. God welcomes anyone who trusts Him.Old TestamentFaith
God Opened Her Heart: Lydia BelievesActs 16:6-15God gave Paul a vision of a man from Macedonia begging, "Come over and help us!" So Paul and his friends sailed across the sea to the city of Philippi. On the Sabbath, they went to the river outside the city to find a place of prayer. There they met some women, and one was Lydia, a businesswoman who sold expensive purple cloth. As Paul talked about Jesus, the Lord opened Lydia's heart, and she believed. She and her household were baptized, and she opened her home to Paul's team. Faith in Jesus is a gift from God.New TestamentFaith
Jesus Turns Water into WineJohn 2:1-11; Isaiah 25:6At a wedding in Cana, the wine ran out. Jesus turned six huge jars of water into the very best wine. It was His first sign, and it showed His glory, so His disciples believed in Him.New TestamentFaith
Jesus the KingJesus Calls FishermenLuke 5:1-11After a night of catching nothing, Peter trusted Jesus' word and let down the nets, caught so many fish the nets began to break, and left everything to follow Jesus.New TestamentFaith