John - Week 9

Places of Worship 

READ 

John 4:19-21 

19 “Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. 20 So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?” 21 Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem.” 

The woman revealed a religious background by even knowing about a prophet. She also knew the Samaritans differed with the Jews theologically about the place of worship. But she was wrong in thinking anyone had to go to a particular place to worship. Surely she was more confused when Jesus said the time would come when it would not matter whether one worshiped the Father on Mount Gerizim or Jerusalem. 

REFLECT 

In sharing your faith, do you make clear that Jesus is much more than a prophet? 

RESPOND 

How do you explain to others that Jesus is more than a prophet? Practice doing this with a fellow believer. Assume an objection is raised and how you would answer it. What made Jesus different from other prophets? 

Worship in Spirit and in Truth 

READ 

John 4:22-24 

22 “You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. 23 But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. 24 For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”  

Jesus told the woman that she and the Samaritans were wrong about the one they worshiped. Some today think it is unimportant to know about the Old Testament. Jesus’ statement, however, reveals every Christ-follower should know about the history of the Jews because salvation comes through them. And because God is Spirit, the physical place of worship is not the primary consideration. Notice also that worship is to be based on “truth.” 

REFLECT 

Do you know of some who think they must be in church to make spiritual decisions? How do you correct this false thinking? 

RESPOND 

“Worship” is thinking on the “worth-ship” of God. Do you faithfully read the Bible to learn of God’s worth? Worship is praising Him for His worth. 

I Am the Messiah 

READ 

John 4:25-26 

25 The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” 26 Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!”  

Not only did the Samaritan woman know about a prophet, but she also knew about a Messiah. She also knew what He was called and that she expected He would come someday. She even thought when that time came, He would explain everything. She must have been amazed when Jesus said, “I am the Messiah!” Even though the Samaritans’ beliefs were not based on truth, at least they expected a Messiah and now this woman was face-to-face with Him. What would you expect her to do next? 

REFLECT 

Someday every Christ-follower will be face-to-face with Jesus. What do you expect your reaction will be then? 

RESPOND 

Those you talk with have many notions about Christianity but most of these ideas are not based on truth. How do you seek to point them in the direction of what the Bible says? 

Come and See 

READ 

John 4:27-30 

27 Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” 28 The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, 29 “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 30 So the people came streaming from the village to see him.  

The disciples could not believe that Jesus was talking to a woman. No one had the courage, however, to ask Him about it. Notice the woman’s response after her talk with Jesus. She told everyone she could about Jesus who knew everything about her. She asked them, “Could he possibly be the Messiah?” This aroused their curiosity enough that they hurried out of the village to see Him. 

REFLECT 

From this passage and other verses we have examined, are you convinced that God knows every detail about you? How does that make you feel? As a believer you could ask God the same question the psalmist asked in Psalm 139:23-24. 

RESPOND 

How do you think individuals would respond if you shared with them that you serve a God who knows everything about them? Are you telling everyone you can about Jesus as the Samaritan woman did? 

Doing the Will of God 

READ 

John 4:31-34 

31 Meanwhile, the disciples were urging Jesus, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But Jesus replied, “I have a kind of food you know nothing about.” 33 “Did someone bring him food while we were gone?” the disciples asked each other. 34 Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.”  

Although much was occurring of spiritual significance, the disciples could only think about the fact that Jesus had not eaten. From the comments of Jesus, it is seen that it is deeply satisfying to be engaged in a conversation that could change a person’s eternal destiny. That spiritual opportunity was so important to Jesus that He did not even think about being hungry. 

REFLECT 

Tell of a time when some event took away your appetite. Was it sorrow over a loved one? Or was it in the process of telling someone about Jesus? 

RESPOND 

What is your progress in passing on what you are learning to a friend? Are you meeting regularly? Set up a schedule that you will both try to keep. Discuss this the next time you are together.