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In addition to the public lessons and ideas posted below, be sure to check out our extra special lesson set: Jesus and Nicodemus ~ How to "See" the Kingdom. Written by our Writing Team for supporting members, its lesson summaries and Bible background are open to all. 

We originally posted these music videos as an extra resource in the Writing Team's new Nicodemus Lesson Set. This is the kind of "extra stuff" the new and improved Writing Team is including in their materials! We also posted an alert about them to our Facebook Page.

See the "shadow screen" teaching idea at the end of this post.


Nicodemus Music Videos

Here are three great songs and their music videos which could be used as children arrive, or as discussion starters with youth, or in worship settings. We've included excerpts of the lyrics. You can find the full lyrics by searching for them online.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHcCBtIcxhQ

Even though this is titled "Born Again" (which as we learned in the Bible study, should be translated "Born from Above") --it's a great song with great lyrics from the Newsboys, a very popular Christian rock group. I like that the video makes a direct connection to outreach, helping others, being compassionate, .i.e. the things of the Kingdom. The lyrics have a rap quality.

Lyric Excerpt:

This is what it is
This is who I am
This is where I finally take my stand
I didn't want to fall
But I don't have to crawl
I met the One with two scarred hands
Giving him the best of everything that's left of
The life inside this man
I've been born again


Here's another great music video from Newsboys titled "How You Change the World." Entering in the Kingdom is about engaging in Christ'a work to change the world. It's about seeing the opportunities, even small ones, in our daily lives.  Nicodemus suffered from spiritual blindness. Jesus told him what needed to change in order for Nic to "see," "enter" and become part of the Kingdom he was seeking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WtkTXBTTcAw

Excerpt from "That's How You Change the World" lyrics:

All my life I had big dreams
To do big things and make a change
And all the while I just passed by the simple needs
Right here next to me
'Cause there's a breaking heart
That's falling apart and tear-filled eyes
Looking back at me
God, won't you help me to see
It's a prayer in an empty room
Little things we do when nobody's around
A hand reaching out
To a heart in doubt
It's the smallest spark
That can light the dark
That's how you change the world
That's how you change the world
A million little drops of rain
Can be enough to cause a tidal wave
A flood of your love that no one can contain
'Cause there's an empty soul that wants to be known
Around me now that I can lead to you
Revealing love that won't refuse


Last music video, but not least, the amazing THIRD DAY and their song, "Feels Like I'm Born Again."  Great song. Here's a fan video with images. I wonder what images your kids would use for the lyrics?

Lyric Excerpt:  (Sounds like something Nicodemus could sing)
Well today I found myself
After searching all these years
And the man that I saw
He wasn't at all who I thought he'd be
I was lost when You found me here
I was broken beyond repair
Then You came along
And You sang Your song over me
It feels like I'm born again
If feels like I'm living
For the very first time
For the very first time
In my life


A neat way to act out lyrics:

Do you see the first frame image above?  It looks like a SHADOW SCREEN we sometimes use in the Drama Workshop.  Kids are assigned key verses from the song and step behind the screen to act them out as the song plays and you videotape (so they can see themselves).  The screen provides a degree of anonymity --which helps them feel less self-conscious.

screen

Attachments

Images (1)
  • screen
Last edited by Luanne Payne
Original Post

Okay...I'm adding one more amazing video you could use with the Nicodemus story. It features a young boy, who happens to be blind and autistic, singing "Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord."

It's really moving no matter what denomination or style of worship you come from.  You could easily imagine Nicodemus singing this same song.

Here's the boy singing it in a church: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9jqI4svrNY

The song was originally written by Paul Belouche and has been covered by many, including Michael W. Smith and Casting Crowns. I like Baloche's original version because it's fast, acoustic, and not dragged out -as later versions used in worship have become.  It's simple enough for kids to learn, and the lyrics remind me of a hymn.

Open the eyes of my heart, Lord
Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see You
I want to see You
...
To see You high and lifted up
Shinin' in the light of Your glory
Pour out Your power and love
As we sing holy, holy, holy

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