Nicodemus — You Must Be Born Again Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “God loves the whole wide world.”
Nicodemus was an important leader. He was a Pharisee, a teacher of God’s law. Many people listened to him.
One night, he came to see Jesus. Everything was dark and quiet. Why did he come at night? The Bible does not tell us. Shh! Can you whisper, like people talking at night?
Nicodemus said, “Rabbi, you are a teacher who has come from God.” Rabbi means teacher. Nicodemus had seen the wonderful things Jesus did. Nobody could do such things, unless God was with him.
Jesus answered, “Unless one is born anew, he can’t see God’s Kingdom.” Born anew means born again. A brand-new start with God!
Nicodemus did not understand. “How can a man be born when he is old?” he asked. Can a grown-up man become a tiny baby again? That sounds funny, doesn’t it?
Jesus said, “Unless one is born of water and Spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom.” The Spirit is God’s Holy Spirit. God himself gives the new life.
Then Jesus talked about the wind. “The wind blows where it wants to, and you hear its sound. But don’t know where it comes from and where it is going.”
Whoosh! Can you blow on your hand? You can feel your breath. But can you see it? No! God’s Spirit is a little like the wind. We can’t see him, but he is at work.
Nicodemus asked, “How can these things be?” He still did not understand. Jesus said, “Are you the teacher of Israel, and don’t understand these things?” Even a big teacher still had things to learn! Jesus told him that he himself had come down from heaven. He knew all about God’s heavenly things.
Then Jesus said wonderful words. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son. That whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” God loves the whole wide world.
To believe in Jesus means to trust him. Perish means to be lost forever. Eternal life means life with God that never ends – never, ever!
Jesus said, “For God didn’t send his Son into the world to judge the world. But that the world should be saved through him.” To judge here means to punish. Saved means rescued. Jesus came to save us, like a rescuer who comes to help. God loves the whole wide world.
Can you make a big circle with your arms? As big as the whole world! Everyone in it – and you too! God loves the whole wide world.
Later, after Jesus had died, Nicodemus came and brought sweet spices to honor him. God sent his Son Jesus, because he loves us so much. God loves the whole wide world.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- Why do you think Nicodemus came to Jesus at night?
- How can we tell that the wind is there, even when we can’t see it?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Draw Nicodemus coming to see Jesus at night.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son” — John 3:16 (God so loved → hug yourself; the world → make a big circle with your arms; he gave → hold out your hands; his only born Son → hold up one finger)
Dear God, thank you that you so loved the world. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: God can give you a brand-new heart
Memory verse: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only born Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” — John 3:16 · WEB
The Bible story
One starry night, a wise teacher called Nicodemus tiptoes to Jesus with a heart full of questions and learns the wonderful secret of being born again.
Talk about it
- Who was Nicodemus? — A Pharisee and leader
- When did Nicodemus come to see Jesus? — At night
- Why did Nicodemus think Jesus came from God? — Because of the signs He did
- What did Jesus say a person must be to see God's kingdom? — Born again
- How did Nicodemus feel about being born again? — Puzzled
- What did Nicodemus think "born again" meant at first? — Being born as a baby again
Where is Jesus in this story?
Jesus told Nicodemus, “Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up” (John 3:14). Sick Israelites who looked at the bronze snake lived. Jesus would be lifted up on the cross so that everyone who looks to Him in faith can live forever. Later, Nicodemus helped bury Jesus' body (John 19:39–40).
What God wants to tell us
Nicodemus knew many clever words, but Jesus showed him that what really matters is letting God make our hearts new and fresh. We do not have to be perfect or know everything first. When we trust Jesus, God's Spirit gently begins to change us from the inside, filling us with love, kindness and hope. That is the wonderful gift of being born again, and God offers it to you too.
Prayer
Dear Lord, thank You for loving me so much that You gave Jesus. Please make my heart fresh and new, and fill me with Your Spirit. Help me to trust You, even when I have lots of questions. I want to walk close to You, just like Nicodemus did. Amen.
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