John 4

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John 4:1-54

Observations

• Jesus did not do the baptizing but the disciples did.
• Jesus returned to Galilee, where He had turned water into wine
• Jesus passed through Samaria
• Jesus is weary or tired. 
• Jesus meets a woman at the well in Samaria
• Jesus states give me water.
• The Samaritan woman is as confused by a Jewish man asking for water as we should be. Being their cultural differences and preferences. Not in relevance to Jesus. 
• Jesus knew the woman standing before Him, but the woman did not know of the man before her.
• The woman is confused by Jesus' request for water as He has nothing to draw water with. Reading on you find Jesus using this opportunity to speak of an eternal water, not found in this well.
• Jesus' comparison of eternal water to the water in the well still leaves the woman complexed. She does not understand.
• Jesus knows this woman yet He asks her to bring forth her husband. He knows she is a divorced woman of 5 marriages, involved with a man not her husband.
• The woman realizes something is different, surely He is a prophet. 
• They discuss the coming savior, Jesus reveals to her He is that Savior.
• The woman shares with the town who has come.
• Jesus' physical body still requires the nourishment our do. The disciples were adamant to provide food. 
• Jesus seems to be talking about the sharing of the Gospel. Reaping what they have not sewn or even for us potently sowing but not reaping. 
• God used the testimony of a woman known for impurity to share the pure message of Jesus Christ. 
• Jesus reveals Himself to this woman, as being the Son of Man.
• Many of the Samaritans believed in Jesus Christ because of the work and ministry He had done. 
• Based on verse 42 it would seem the people initially believed because of the woman, but have continued in belief because of what they have hear. 
• Because of His previous works in the town of Galilee a man came to Him in belief of His ability asking for healing of his son.
• Through the act of renewing this boy's life the family would come to believe. 

Questions

I. Are please and thank you phrases that have developed over time? Would that have been the way you spoke to one another; in statements not questions?

II. What must the town think of this woman? She obviously has a reputation. The obviously believed her as verse 30 says "They went out of town and were coming to him". Would I have believed her had I been there? Obviously belief is through the calling of God in our lives, was that what this was, God directly working in these people to believe this woman? Would they have believed her had He not been working in them? Did some go that would not believe? 

III. Why did Jesus chose this specific situation to reveal himself? Why this group of people? 

IV. Would you say seeing is believing or believing is seeing? Today without the physical work of Jesus on earth can we see to believe, or only believe to see? 

V. While they are in different chapter reading straight through chapter three and four you notice two drastically different scenario's. Nicodemus is a man of means and knowledge, the Samaritan is a woman with lack of knowledge and indiscretions. While drastically different both need Jesus. What does that look like in our own lies today? Who represent those people in our lives and how are we responding?

VI. The rabbis would typically teach that three marriages were enough. Why three? Why recognize more than one? Why stop at three? Does this apply to death of spouse as well or only divorce?

VII. When sharing the gospel how do I do it? Do I always speak in these spiritual terms that few understand or do I make it fit the situation. I don't mean change the Gospel but change the presentation of the same true facts to meet the person were they are?

Applicational Thoughts

Careful consideration and listening during conversations will surely open the door to share the gospel in some for, whether it be actions, an illustration, a portion of the Gospel, or the entire Gospel laid out. 

Until we acknowledge our sin, we cannot fully understand what Salvation is.

Christ's humanity lead Him to hunger and tiredness. A fully sovereign God weary and tired. He took on flesh, He understands our battles yet He prevailed without sin.

While actions do speak louder than words, words obviously have an impact.

Resources: 

Jeremiah Study Bible

The Message of John