Nicodemus Story Summary for Kids
The story of Jesus teaching Nicodemus contains the most famous Bible verse of them all, John 3:16.
Who Was Nicodemus?
Let's look at this person named Nicodemus who approached Jesus at night to speak with him.
- Nicodemus was a member of the Jewish ruling council, so he was a very important person in Israel at the time.
- He came to Jesus at night (some might say this was the first Nic at Night…), probably because he was aware that the other Jewish leaders weren't happy with the things Jesus was teaching and the fact that Jesus had claimed to be the Son of God.
- Notice when he approaches Jesus, though, he starts with a much lesser claim, “we know that you are a teacher who has come from God” (John 3:2)
- Then he and Jesus have this back and forth teaching opportunity. Well, it is mostly Jesus talking and Nicodemus listening.
Where Is the Story of Nicodemus in the Bible?
The most famous part of the story of Jesus teaching Nicodemus is in John 3, but the story doesn't end there.
We don't know exactly how Nicodemus responded to what Jesus was teaching but we do have a record of 2 other times in the book of John where he was mentioned.
- In John 7:45-53, Nicodemus stepped in and tried to calm down the Jewish leaders who were beginning to step up their attacks on Jesus. He doesn't directly confess faith in Jesus as the Son of God here, but he asks a question that at least makes the other Jewish leaders question his loyalty.
- In John 19:39, we see that Nicodemus helps Joseph of Arimathea bury Jesus' body after he was crucified. He does not speak in this record of his actions, but if he was willing to prepare Jesus' body for burial, this is a strong indication that his faith had grown from that first encounter.
What Did Jesus Tell Nicodemus?
Now, let's look at what Jesus actually taught Nicodemus that night.
- You must be born again if you want to enter God's Kingdom (John 3:3): this totally confused Nicodemus. Before this talk with Jesus, the thought of someone being born twice was just crazy talk. Nicodemus asked, "How can someone be born when they are old?" (John 3:4). Jesus was giving Nicodemus an incredible truth here: there is physical birth and there is spiritual birth.
- Being born in the flesh is one thing, but being born of the spirit is different (John 3:6-8): Jesus uses the example of the wind. You can't see the wind, but only the effects of the wind. You don't know where it is coming from unless you see the direction the leaves are blowing, for example. It is like that with our spiritual birth. It isn't something you can perceive with your physical eyes, but you can definitely see the effects of it when God saves you and begins to change you to be more like him!
- God sent Jesus to earth to save anyone who believes in him (John 3:15-16): faith in Jesus is what gives us eternal life. This is the second birth.
- When we believe in Jesus, the light turns on and we can know what is true and do what is good (John 3:19-21): Doing what is good is a result of being born again, not what makes us born again. Only faith in Jesus as the sacrifice for our sins will make us right with God.
My Notes
What You Will Need
Supplies
- A flashlight or candles so you can teach the story in the dark if possible
Resource Sheet
Jesus and Nicodemus Coloring Sheet
This coloring sheet depicts Jesus teaching Nicodemus at night. The pictures at the top represent aspects of Jesus' teachings that night.
1Warm Up get your kids talking and engaged
Ask each child where they were born and include your own story as well.
Tell them, “Now that I know where you were born the first time, we're going to learn about how to be born a second time!”
2Teach the Story teach a holistic story
Read story from a Children's storybook Bible for younger children.
For older children, read the story from an age-appropriate Children's storybook Bible or read directly from the Bible.
3Bible Mastery give them basic Bible skills
4Comprehension Questions make sure they understand the story
First, ask the children if they have any questions about the story. What to do if you don't know the answer?
- Who was the man who approached Jesus at night with some questions?
- Nicodemus
- Why was he an important guy?
- He was one of the Jewish rulers, which means he had an important job in their society
- What did Nicodemus think of Jesus at the beginning of his conversation with him?
- Nicodemus thought Jesus was a good teacher who was from God
- What did Jesus tell Nicodemus that confused him so much?
- That you have to be born a second time in order to see the Kingdom of God
- What did Jesus mean by that?
- The first birth is when you are born as a human, but the second birth is when you are born again as a believer in Jesus
- What was that really famous thing Jesus told Nicodemus that turned into the most famous Bible verse of all?
- "God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life." John 3:16
- After we are born again, what can we now do that we couldn't do before?
- See the truth about God, like a light has been turned on, and do good to others
5Faith Questions open up a conversation about faith and the gospel; close with prayer
- We all heard about your first birth, but have you been born again? Do you know how to do that?
- You can use our Good News Conversation Guide to lead a discussion about the gospel in a way kids can understand.
6Memory Verse hide God's Word in their heart
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Love him with all your mind and with all your strength. Mark 12:30
All 12 activities below are free to use with no sign-up — complete with instructions, supply lists, and an age label for all-ages, early elementary, or late elementary classes.
Baby Pictures
Heads up! You might need to communicate with parents during the week for this activity
Scripture Jesus replied, “What I’m about to tell you is true. No one can see God’s kingdom unless they are born again.” John 3:3
Supplies Baby pictures of yourself, your kids, pastors of your church, etc
- Get baby pictures of the kids in your class (if you can).
- Or, bring pictures of yourself as a baby.
- Or, get baby pictures of your kids' pastor, senior pastor, etc
- Have the kids guess who each picture is of and have some fun.
- Tell them that to be a Christian, they must be born again. If they are confused about this, tell them that this is the exact thing Nicodemus was confused about!
- Then explain that Jesus was talking about a new birth, a spiritual birth, and that the only way to be born again is to put their faith (trust) in Jesus to make them right with God.
Invisible Ink Markers
Scripture Here is the judgment. Light has come into the world... John 3:19
Supplies Invisible ink markers, black light or UV light, card stock
- Have the students color pictures on card stock with invisible ink markers.
- They could color this week's coloring sheet, or a design of their own making.
- Turn off the lights and only turn on a black light or UV light while they are coloring.
- You can find black light bulbs you can put in a lamp or get a UV light flashlight.
- Write John 3:19 on their hand (it will be invisible unless underneath a blacklight or UV light)
For God So Loved the World
Scripture God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. John 3:16
- Kids sit in a circle.
- Point to one kid to say the first word.
- Go around the circle and each child says the next word.
- Start with a different child each time so they practice different parts of the verse.
- Try to get faster each time!
Wind Relay
Heads up! Make sure students don't go overboard with the blowing and hyperventilate!
Scripture The wind blows where it wants to. You hear the sound it makes. But you can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going. It is the same with everyone who is born with the Spirit. John 3:8
Supplies Masking tape, straws, cotton balls
- Mark off two classroom tables (one for each team) with masking tape on each end of the table.
- Split the class into even teams (if you have an odd number of students, one student will go twice).
- Each side of the table should have an "end zone" where one teammate will start blowing the cotton ball from their "end zone" to the one on the other side.
- If the cotton ball falls off the side of the table, the student has to start back in their own "end zone".
- Once the cotton ball is in the "end zone" on the other side, a teammate can blow it back.
- The first team to have all their players successfully get the cotton ball from one end of the table to the other wins.
- At the end of the game, reinforce what Jesus taught Nicodemus - you can't see the Spirit, but you can see the effects of the Spirit.
Nicodemus's Journey Worksheet
Scripture There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus. He was one of the Jewish rulers. He came to Jesus at night... John 3:1-2
Supplies Worksheet for each child, glue sticks, scissors, crayons or colored pencils
- Give each child a worksheet and have them cut out the 3 panels (assist younger children if necessary).
- Have them color each scene.
- Older kids can write an example of what Nicodemus might have said in each pane, like:
- "How can someone be born twice?!"
- "We should hear him out!"
- "Here are spices you can use to bury Jesus."
- Have them glue the panels in the correct order and talk about how Nicodemus went from questioning Jesus, to speaking up for Jesus, to helping bury Jesus.
- We all learn and grow and change as we get older - let us be like Nicodemus and bring our questions to Jesus so we can grow.
Pinwheel Craft
Scripture The wind blows where it wants to. You hear the sound it makes. But you can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going. It is the same with everyone who is born with the Spirit. John 3:8
Supplies Pinwheel craft kits
- Allow students to create their own pinwheels
- As they are working, talk about what Jesus taught Nicodemus about being born from above, born of the Spirit, and how the wind is an example of how God moves.
- Use one of the kits below, or follow the instructions on the DIY link below.
Shadow Puppets
Scripture Here is the judgment. Light has come into the world... John 3:19
Supplies flashlight, dark room
- Turn off the lights to the room and make shadow puppets
- Have the kids take turns trying to make shadow puppets
Nighttime with Nicodemus
Scripture He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. We know that God is with you. If he weren’t, you couldn’t do the signs you are doing.” John 3:2
Supplies Black card stock or construction paper, star and moon stickers or cutouts, silver and gold glitter glue
- Paint glitter glue onto paper.
- Stick or glue stars and a moon to the paper.
- Glue Jesus and Nicodemus onto the night sky.
For God so loved the WORLD
Scripture God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. John 3:16
Supplies Pictures and items that represent different people around the world, globe or world map
- God came to save everyone. His love extends far beyond your church, community and city.
- Talk about different people groups from around the world.
- What other countries are they familiar with?
- Where have they traveled outside of their own country?
- How was it different from where they live?
- Have each child point to an area on the map and pray for those people to know God.
Nicodemus Word Search
Scripture God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son. Anyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life. John 3:16
- Give each student the first page of the printable.
- Use the second page as an answer key to help any student that gets stuck.
"My Two Births" Activity Sheet
Scripture No one can see God’s kingdom unless they are born again. John 3:3
- Give each child the "My Two Births" worksheet and guide them through each section.
- After each question, ask the students if they would like to share what they wrote with the class.
- Be prepared to help students believe in Jesus and be born again or born from above or born from the Spirit!
Nicodemus Reader's Theater
Scripture John 3:1-19
Supplies Scripts for 4 readers, 1 flashlight
- Choose 4 students to play characters in the attached Nicodemus Reader's Theater.
- Do this in a room where you can make very dark.
- Have a flashlight ready for them (see the prompts in the script).
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