Monday, February 16, 2009

John 4:1-42

Link to text: John 4:1-42

Crushed Ice
1. When you were growing up, what part of the city or country were you told to avoid? What would have happened if you would have gone there?

Discussion
v. 1-6
1. Why did Jesus leave Judea and head towards Galilee?
2. What is significant about going through (or avoiding) Samaria? Why did the Jews avoid this area?
3. The woman visited the well at noon which was an unconventional time of day to draw well water. Why did she go then?v. 7-10
4. Why did Jesus ask for a drink of water?
5. Why was the woman surprised that he asked her for a drink?
6. What did Jesus mean by “living water”?v. 11-15
7. The woman was talking about physical water, but this could represent anything that we seek physically to satisfy a need. What types of “water” do we use to quench our “thirsts” these days, and how long does that satisfaction last?
8. What was the “water” that Jesus offers us and how can we get that?
9. What does the “spring of water welling up” mean?
10. What was the woman thinking in v. 15?v 16-18
11. Jesus appears to change the subject when he asks about her husband, but what is he really doing in bringing up her love life?
12. What do you think the woman thought after she realized Jesus knew her history (v. 18)v 19-26
13. Now the woman appears to change the subject to “where to worship.” Why?
14. How does “you worship what you do not know” apply to many religious people today? (v 22)
15. What did Jesus mean when he said “salvation is from the Jews?” (v 22)
16. What is Jesus saying about where to worship? (see 1 Corinthians 3:16)
17. What does it mean to worship in “spirit and truth”?v 27-42
18. The woman leaves the scene and her jar and goes to town and tells people about Jesus, many of whom believed in him. What are some overall lessons of this story?
a. about how to have a conversation with someone we might want to help spiritually?
b. about how the woman left her jar (both literally and symbolically)? (v 28)
c. about who can be an effective witness with regard to knowledge? with regard to reputation?
19. Compare/contrast the interaction with the woman at the well with that of Nicodemus.

Bottom Line Point(s):
1. Jesus offers us living water which will quench our spiritual thirst.
2. Jesus can work through anyone to spread his message.

How can you apply what you’ve learned here?
1. What are you thirsting for in life right now?

Bibliography
1. Barton & others, "Life Application Bible Commentary: John"
2. MacArthur, "John – Jesus, the Word, the Messiah, the Son of God"
3. "Serendipity Study Bible for Groups"
4. “Life Application Study Bible, NIV”
5. Bible Study Fellowship International, “The Gospel of John”

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