John - Week 8

A Stop in Samaria 

READ 

John 4:4-6 

4 He had to go through Samaria on the way. 5 Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime.   

The Samaritans were despised by the Judeans because they were a mixed race. This resulted when the Northern Kingdom was taken captive in 722 B.C. by the Assyrians who repopulated the area. The Samaritans did not follow the teachings of Judaism. When going north to Galilee the Jews would cross the Jordan to the east, avoid Samaria, and then reenter into Galilee. Jesus did not have to go through Samaria to save distance; He was compelled to go through it to share the good news of salvation with this rejected ethnic group. Commentaries differ on whether the “sixth hour” referred to noon (Jewish time) or 6:00 p.m. (Roman time).  Genesis 24:11 indicates the time when women drew water was in the evening. John likely used Roman time and the other three gospels used Jewish time. 

REFLECT 

Have you attempted to share the gospel with someone from a group that society looks down on? Which group was it and how well was your witness received? 

RESPOND 

Pray with a friend about what can be done to reach those who are commonly looked down on. Talk about what you can do to help reach the group. 

 The Woman at the Well 

READ 

John 4:7-9 

7 Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” 8 He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. 9 The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”   

Not only was Jesus not following tradition by going through Samaria, but He also talked with an unknown woman, which respectable Jews did not do. The comments of the woman indicated Jesus looked like the average Jew. Jesus began with a disarming question. He wished to involve her in a deeper discussion that would lead to spiritual truths. The fact that this aroused her curiosity gave Him the open door to witness to her. 

REFLECT 

What disarming question have you used to arouse curiosity so you could further witness? 

RESPOND 

Discuss with a friend about how to ask questions to provide an opening to witness. Perhaps you could ask about the person’s family, occupation and spiritual background. What else would you suggest? 

Living Water 

READ 

John 4:10-12 

10 Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.” 11 “But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? 12 And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”  

Notice how quickly Jesus switched from physical water to spiritual water. He had her curiosity aroused but, like Nicodemus, she could think only of the physical and not the spiritual. She was hooked, however, on wanting to understand how Jesus could offer better water than the Jewish ancestors. She was completely mystified about who Jesus was and what He was saying.  

REFLECT 

Tell of an experience you have had in which the individual had no idea you were talking about the Lord Jesus Christ and how He could change a life. 

RESPOND 

One of the purposes of learning the Scriptures is to help others know these truths as well. Are you working with someone now and passing on your knowledge of the Bible? See 2 Timothy 2:2 in this regard.  

A Bubbling Spring Within 

READ 

John 4:13-15 

13 Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. 14 But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” 15 “Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.”   

Jesus further explained about the “living water” to which He referred. He told how the water He provided would give a person spiritual energy and eternal life. Because of all the labor the Samaritan woman had gone through to get water daily, she was desperate to get what Jesus was talking about. She was anxious to never have to draw water again, but she still did not understand.  

REFLECT 

Do you remember what it was like when you trusted Jesus as your Savior? Was it like you had a bubbling spring inside of you? 

RESPOND 

Have you shared with someone what it was like for you when you first trusted in Jesus? Consider sharing it with an unbeliever? There is no greater testimony than a changed life.

The Knowledge of Christ 

READ 

John 4:16-18 

16 “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. 17 “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband—18 for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!”  

At this point, Jesus became more personal in what He said to the woman of Samaria. Think of the shock it was when the woman realized Jesus knew all about her! When He was on the earth, Jesus was completely God and completely man. His tiredness at the well showed His humanity; His knowledge about the woman was an indication of His deity. 

REFLECT 

Have you thanked God recently that even though He knows more about you than anyone else, He also loves you more than anyone else? 

RESPOND 

Use some Scriptures to point out to others that God knows every detail about them. Look at Psalm 139:1-6 and Hebrews 4:12 and work these verses into your conversations.