Week 1 · Receiving your new identity
Day 3
God gives new life
Before you read, ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand the passage and respond honestly.
Read
John 3:1-17
Read in the ESV ↗Read the whole passage slowly, twice if you can. Then come back here.
Reading the chapters alongside your first ten days? Today's is chapter 3: The Holy Spirit is with you.
Understand
Nicodemus is a respected religious teacher, yet Jesus tells him he needs new birth. Religious knowledge and outward position cannot produce spiritual life. The Holy Spirit gives it. Jesus also points ahead to his saving death, describing the Son being lifted up so that those who believe may have life.
Being born again means receiving life from God. It does not require that every believer can identify the same emotions or describe the same kind of dramatic conversion. Your hope is in the Son whom the Father lovingly gave. As his disciple, you grow by depending on the Spirit who gives life, not by trying to manufacture a spiritual identity.
Pray
Father, thank you for your love in giving your Son. Holy Spirit, help me understand the life you give. Teach me to rely on Jesus and receive your work with gratitude. Amen.
Use this as a starting point, then speak in your own words.
Reflect
How does Jesus' conversation challenge the idea that religious activity can give you new life?
Act today
Write two brief sentences: what you cannot produce by your own effort, and what you are asking the Spirit to grow in you. Pause before one ordinary task and ask for his help there.
Words you will hear today
Saved only on this device. No one else can see it.
Walking with someone through this? See the week 1 guide
Missed a day? Resume where you stopped. You don't need to catch up.