THEME: JESUS'
POWERFUL WORDS
TOPIC: WOMAN OF SAMARIA
TEXT: JOHN 4:1-42.
MEMORY VERSE: “The water I give him will
become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” — John 4:14
(NIV)
LESSON AIMS: After participating in this lesson, each
student will be able to:
1. Recount the key points
of the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman.
2. Explain the
significance of Jesus’ discussion with the woman in light of the cultural,
political, and religious taboos he ignored.
3. Thank God that Jesus,
the Messiah, is for everyone.
INTRODUCTION
All of us have had awkward conversations.
Perhaps a remark was misinterpreted. Or someone raised a sensitive issue that
others wanted to ignore. Maybe someone said something hurtful. Or maybe we
realized later that our own words made the conversation awkward. On the other
hand, we also have pleasant memories of “aha” moments—those rare occasions
where we suddenly realize something vitally important. Earthly “aha” moments
involve sudden awareness of a truth that had been knowable but was unknown
until something “clicked.” Divine “aha” moments are different. These involve
sudden awareness of something unknowable until God makes it known.
Sometimes in the Bible
awkward conversations and divine “aha” moments come together. In Jesus’
conversation with the Samaritan woman, he said things that were difficult for
her, even offensive. But through the conversation she had the greatest of “aha”
moments: an awareness of who Jesus was as a result of divine revelation.
[Please
note that you are free to reproduce this lesson for your Sunday school classes.
The talk points (in red prints) are to help your
discussions.]
A. JESUS THE LIVING WATER –
John 4:7-15
1. What challenges do we face as we
contemplate crossing modern “boundaries” with the gospel? (Boundaries regarding gender; Boundaries of a socioeconomic
nature; Boundaries of culture and ethnicity; Boundaries of national borders.)
2. When was a time that someone crossed
a boundary to reach out to you? How did things turn out? (A gender-based boundary; A socioeconomic boundary; A cultural
or ethnic boundary; A boundary you created.)
3. Which aspects of Jesus’ encounter
with the Samaritan woman can or should we use today in our encounters with
unbelievers? Which aspects can or should we not use? (Regarding
the use of figurative language; Regarding the nature of boundaries to be
crossed; Regarding things that only Jesus was able to do because of divine
powers.)
B. WORSHIPPING GOD IN SPIRIT AND TRUTH
– John 4:21-26
1. How
do you make sure you are worshipping “in spirit and in truth”?
[In the way you prepare your heart for
corporate worship; In the way you approach your personal devotion time; In the
way you conduct yourself as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1).]
C. THE SAMARITAN WOMAN TESTIFY ABOUT JESUS
– John 4:27-30
1. When
was a time you encountered Jesus through someone else in a particularly
important way? How did that encounter make a positive difference in your life?
(A teacher; A stranger; A friend.)
CONCLUSION
With disregard for social convention, Jesus opened
the door for the Samaritan woman and her neighbours to learn the amazing things
that God was doing. Coming to the well at an odd hour for ordinary water, she
found the one who could give her what she and others truly needed.
Our situation is not much different from hers. We
spend our time acquiring ordinary things. But what Jesus offers—an everlasting,
spirit-and-truth relationship with the God of the universe—is what we really
need and want. When we have that gift, we have everything we have ever wanted.
Prayer
O Lord, you have offered us more than we deserve
and more than we can imagine. May we in turn be people who worship you
constantly, genuinely, and truly. In Jesus’ name, amen!
Thought to Remember
Seek living water above all else.
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