Step 1: Opening and Introduction to the lesson – Personal Testimonies from last week’s study and Reflection: When you were growing up, who were the people you were told to avoid? What part of the city or country would you be warned about? What would have happened if you had gone there?
Step 2: Hear – Read: Jesus Talks with a Samaritan Woman. John 4:1-26.
Step 3: Explore – Discover the Passage
- Why does Jesus leave Judea? What is significant about this story taking place in Samaria? What does verse 6 reveal about Jesus? Since nice girls did not come to draw water at noontime (sixth hour), why do you think Jesus risked his reputation to ask a favor of this woman?
- How would you describe the woman’s response? How did Jesus turn the tables on her in verse 10? In the woman’s reply, what is she really saying? How is she like Nicodemus (3:1-21)?
- Why does Jesus change the topic of conversation so abruptly to her personal life (vv. 16-18)? What strikes you about the way he responds to her claim not to have a husband?
- Why do you think this woman changed the conversation to focus on a religious controversy? In this story, what does Jesus mean by telling her that God is interested in worshipers who will do so in spirit and truth? What is significant about Jesus choosing this woman as the first person to whom he revealed himself (see vv. 39-42)?
Step 4: Connect – Apply the Passage:
- What social, ethnic or religious barriers have you overcome in Jesus’ name?
- What aspects of Jesus’ conversation could you use as a model for your own discussions with searching friends?
- What are you constantly Thirsting for in life right now? What do you need to do to relieve your spiritual thirst? How has Jesus satisfied you?
Step 5: Reflect: Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
