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Small Group Questions "Water for the Soul" John 4:3-26

Previous message summary: John the Baptist was an amazing example of humility. In the presence of his peers and critics, John resisted the temptation to defend himself and his position as his ministry declined and as Jesus' ministry increased. John the Baptist boldly proclaimed that Jesus must increase and he must decrease. John realizes that he is not the bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom, who has the responsibility to introduce the bride to the groom.

What we learned: Jesus deserves to be first in our life because he comes from above and is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard and utters the very words of God. Jesus must increase and we must decrease in every area of life in order for us to see God's Kingdom built in our world.

Introduction

1. Have you ever tried to find meaning and purpose apart from Jesus? What kinds of things did you pursue in order satisfy the longing of your soul? Was the result really satisfying?

a. When you look around at our world, what kinds of things do you see people pursuing in order to fill their lives with meaning and purpose? Do any of these things really satisfy?

b. If you could go back and live your life over again, what would you spend more time pursuing ... things of the world, or a relationship with Jesus? Why?

Discussion Questions

Read John 4:3-26

2. John tells his readers that Jesus "had to pass through Samaria." Did Jesus really have to go through Samaria?

a. Who lived in Samaria? What do you know about the Samaritans?

b. When a Jew traveled from Jerusalem north to Galilee (like Jesus was doing in John 4) what was the route that most good Jews would travel? Was this the shortest route?

c. Why would most Jews avoid traveling through Samaria? Did Jews and Samaritans have a good relationship with one another? (Verse 9)

3. When Jesus arrives at Jacob's well, it was the sixth hour. What time of the day is the sixth hour? What time of the day did most women come to draw water from the well?

a. What is significant about the fact that this woman was drawing water from the well at the sixth hour?

b. How many times had this woman been married? What does Jesus reveal about her current living situation? What does this indicate about the woman's desire to find love and acceptance?

c. Have you known people who are considered social outcasts, like this woman? What is your initial response to people like this? What was Jesus' reaction to this woman?

4. In verse 10, what does Jesus reveal about himself, and what does he offer to the woman? Does she fully understand what Jesus is offering to her?

a. What does Jesus say about the living water that is different than the water this woman is used to drinking? (Verses 13-14)

b. What is the result of the living water that Jesus offers? (Verse 14)

c. How is the conversation with the woman at the well similar to the conversation with Nicodemus? (John 3:1-15)

d. In what ways are Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman different?

e. What does Jesus offer to both Nicodemus and the Samaritan woman? What is the central message in his conversations with "righteous" and "unrighteous" people?

5. It seems like the woman tries to change the subject after Jesus reveals the source of her shame and social status. What subject does she turn to in order to direct the conversation away from her situation? (Verses 19-20)

a. How does Jesus respond to the woman's statement about worship?

b. What does it mean to worship in spirit and truth? When will that time come?

6. At the end of this conversation, Jesus makes an amazing statement about himself. What does Jesus reveal about himself to this woman? (Verses 25-26)

a. What name does God use for himself in the Old Testament? (Exodus 3:13-14)

b. Why does Jesus reveal that he is the Messiah at this time to this woman?

c. Why does Jesus call himself "I AM" throughout the gospel of John? Read John 6:35, 8:12, 8:58, 10:14, 11:25.

d. What is the purpose of John's Gospel? Read John 20:31. What does Jesus tell us about himself throughout his life? How important is our understanding of who Jesus really is?

7. As we share the Gospel message with people, what lessons can we learn from Jesus and his encounter with the Samaritan woman?

Challenge: Jesus has come into our world so that we might believe and have eternal life. This offer is for everyone regardless of who they are, where they come from, or what their past has been.

Action: We all know someone who is the "woman at the well." Make a commitment to share the message of living water that leads to eternal life with __________________.

Next Steps:

G I am spiritually and emotionally "parched"--I need Living Water.

G I realize that Living Water is the only thing that really satisfies and fills completely.

G I understand that Jesus is "The Great I AM."

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