This document provides an overview and analysis of two stories from the Book of John in the Bible where Jesus teaches about being "born again." It summarizes Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus, a Jewish leader, where Jesus teaches that one must be "born of water and the Spirit" to enter God's kingdom. It then analyzes Jesus' encounter with a Samaritan woman at a well, where he offers her "living water" and she comes to believe in him. The document examines what these stories reveal about the process of conversion and receiving a witness of spiritual truths.

1. “Born Again”
John: 3-4, Nicodemus & The Woman at the Well

2. Introduction
Nativity Witnesses
Shepherds: young, simple,
lower-class
Kings: wise, upper-class,
Gentile
Simeon: old, middle-class, Jew,
man
Anna: old, upper middle-class,
woman, Jew

3. John 3: Jesus teaches Nicodemus that all must be born
of water and the Spirit to enter the Kingdom of God
Jesus teaches with a hook, then he enlightens
and lets the Spirit testify
John 3:1-2, Nicodemus comes at night
Why did he come at night?
What is his testimony based on?
John 3:3-5, What does it mean to be ‘born of water’,
‘born of the Spirit’?

4. What does it mean to be born again?
John 3:16,18
Believe in Christ
Mosiah 5:2
Mighty change, no more disposition to do evil
Alma 5:12-14, 21
Humble yourselves, Trust in God, Repent
Mosiah 5:7
Hearts are changed

5. President Ezra Taft Benson
“…we must be careful, as we seek to become more and more
godlike, that we do not become discouraged and lose hope.
Becoming Christlike is a lifetime pursuit and very often involves
growth and change that is slow, almost imperceptible. The
scriptures record remarkable accounts of men whose lives changed
dramatically, in an instant, as it were: Alma the Younger, Paul on
the road to Damascus, Enos praying far into the night, King
Lamoni. Such astonishing examples of the power to change even
those steeped in sin give confidence that the Atonement can reach
even those deepest in despair.
“But we must be cautious as we discuss these remarkable examples.
Though they are real and powerful, they are the exception more
than the rule. For every Paul, for every Enos, and for every King
Lamoni, there are hundreds and thousands of people who find the
process of repentance much more subtle, much more
imperceptible. Day by day they move closer to the Lord, little
realizing they are building a godlike life. They live quiet lives of
goodness, service, and commitment. They are like the Lamanites,
who the Lord said ‘were baptized with fire and with the Holy
Ghost, and they knew it not.’”

6. Choosing light over darkness
John 3:19-21
Why do we retreat from the light?
Definition “Reprove”: to scold or correct usually gently or
with kindly intent
Definition “Wrought”: carefully formed or worked into
shape, beaten into shape by artistry or effort (wrought
iron)
What happened to Nicodemus?

7. History of Samaria
Both groups descended from Abraham and practiced
‘similar’ religions. North of Judea, South of Galilee.
722 BC - the Northern Kingdom is conquered by Assyria.
The tribes are scattered and intermarry with Pagans.
This mixing produced the Samaritans.
For 700 years hostility between the two groups grew.
Christ makes a point of showing their redeeming
qualities. Leper who comes back, ‘Good Samaritan’ etc.

9. Jesus teaches a Samaritan woman at
Jacob’s Well
Nicodemus had heard/seen Jesus’
miracles. This woman had no
knowledge of Jesus.
John 4:3-4
Why did he ‘need’ to go through
Samaria? vs. 35
Who are modern-day Samaritans?
John 4:6-8
Sixth hour: Noon

10. The Living Water
John 4:9-10
He had no requirement of her to be righteous before he would teach
her. (Matt 9:13)
John 4:11-12
She doesn’t understand but her respect and curiosity is growing -
“Sir” (Lord)
John 4:13-15
Why will they never thirst again?
Why did she believe it was real and that he could give it to her?

11. The Living Water
John 4:16-19
Why does he ask her about
her husband? How does she
respond?
John 4:20-23
This is new doctrine. Jews
believed in specific places of
worship.

12. Seeds of Testimony
John 4:24-29
He acknowledges who he is after
admitting he knows her sins.
What is her reaction?
Which “things” did he tell her? (29)
What else could she have done?
John 4:39-42
What were the results of her
testimony?

13. Camille Fronk Olsen
“Life-changing revelation came to her, revelation as
profound as we find in scripture. But her conversion was
not in the dramatic fashion of Alma the Younger or Saul on
the road to Damascus. In a quiet and contemplative way,
the Samaritan woman received a clear witness while in the
midst of doing ordinary household chores. In her humble
way, she therefore encourages any who feel disenfranchised
to trust in the Lord’s invitation to drink from his living
water and experience his love and power to save them.”

14. Conclusion
John 21:25
Many other things could
have been written. Why
were these two stories
included?
They teach of the process
of being born again.
They teach us of the need
and source of Living Water