We begin this week's study in the book of Genesis in order to provide relevant background for understanding the incarnation of the Son and the inauguration of his public ministry in the Gospel of John. This then leads us into Jesus's dialogue with Nicodemus and their first two interchanges, which concern the necessity of being "born from above ... to see the kingdom" (John 3:2f) and being "born from water and spirit ... to enter the kingdom" (John 3:4–8). We will resume our study with the background of the second interchange next time (Ezek 36; 37).