Breakthrough Church INT.

BREAKTHROUGH GOSPEL CHURCH INT

BIBLE STUDY OUTLINE 6th May, 2026.

TOPIC:- BEING BORN AGAIN

Being born again is a spiritual rebirth in which a person’s heart and life are transformed through faith in Jesus Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.

QUESTION
What does it mean to be a born again Christian?

ANSWER

The classic passage from the Bible that answers this question is John 3:1–21. The Lord Jesus Christ is talking to Nicodemus, a prominent Pharisee and member of the Sanhedrin (the ruling body of the Jews). Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night with some questions.

As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said, “‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again”’” (John 3:3–7).

The phrase translated “born again” can also be translated as “born from above.” Nicodemus had a real need. He needed a change of his heart—a spiritual transformation that could only come from above. New birth, being born again, is an act of God whereby eternal life is imparted to the person who believes (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:3; 1 John 2:29; 3:9; 4:7; 5:1–4, 18). John 1:12–13 indicates that being “born again” also carries the idea of becoming “children of God” through trust in the name of Jesus Christ.

The question logically comes, “Why does a person need to be born again?” The apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:1 says, “And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins” (NKJV). To the Romans he wrote, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sinners are spiritually “dead”; when they receive spiritual life through faith in Christ, the Bible likens it to a rebirth. Only those who are born again have their sins forgiven and have a relationship with God.

Twice in His conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus stressed the truth that one must be born again to enter the kingdom of God (John 3:3, 5). Being born once makes us children of Adam, and we share Adam’s corruption. We need a second birth—a spiritual birth—to make us children of God. We must be born again.

*How does the new birth come to be?

Ephesians 2:8–9 states, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” When one is saved, he has been born again, spiritually renewed, and is now a child of God by right of that new birth. Faith in Jesus Christ, the One who paid the penalty of sin when He died on the cross, is the means by which one is born again. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

If you have never trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior, will you consider the prompting of the Holy Spirit as He speaks to your heart? You need to be born again. Will you pray a prayer of repentance and faith and become a new creation in Christ today? “Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God” (John 1:12–13).

*Steps to Being Born Again
1.Repentance: Turning away from sin and acknowledging the need for God’s forgiveness (Acts 3:19; Isaiah 1:18).

2.Faith in Jesus Christ: Believing in Jesus as Lord and Savior, trusting in His death and resurrection for salvation (John 3:16; Romans 10:9).

3.Surrender: Yielding control of one’s life to Christ and following His guidance (Proverbs 3:5-6).

4.Baptism: Often seen as a public symbol of the inward spiritual rebirth, representing the burial of the old life and rising to new life in Christ (Acts 2:38; John 3:5).

*Evidence of Being Born Again
A truly born-again person demonstrates spiritual fruit, including love for God and others, obedience to biblical teachings, conviction of sin, and growth in faith and holiness (John 13:34-35; Galatians 5:22-23). This transformation is ongoing, reflecting a lifelong journey of spiritual growth and alignment with God’s will.

"Importance of being born again.
Being born again is essential for salvation and fellowship with God. Jesus emphasized that without this spiritual rebirth, one cannot enter the kingdom of God (John 3:7). It is the foundation for a personal relationship with God, offering forgiveness of sins, a new identity, and the promise of eternal life (John 1:12-13; Ephesians 2:8-9).

In summary, being born again is a divine, transformative experience that renews the believer’s heart, mind, and spirit, initiating a lifelong journey of faith, obedience, and spiritual growth in Christ.

TO BE CONTINUED!

Rev Udah David E (Senior Pastor)