We realize you may not be able to discuss Discussion Questions all the questions. Pick the ones you like. Read John 4:3-26 Small Group Questions 2. John tells his readers that Jesus “had to pass “Water for the Soul” through Samaria.” Did Jesus really have to go John 4:3-26 through Samaria? Previous message summary: John the Baptist was an a. Who lived in Samaria? What do you know amazing example of humility. In the presence of his peers about the Samaritans? and critics, John resisted the temptation to defend himself b. When a Jew traveled from Jerusalem north to and his position as his ministry declined and as Jesus’ Galilee (like Jesus was doing in John 4) what ministry increased. John the Baptist boldly proclaimed was the route that most good Jews would that Jesus must increase and he must decrease. John travel? Was this the shortest route? realizes that he is not the bridegroom, but the friend of the bridegroom, who has the responsibility to introduce the c. Why would most Jews avoid traveling through bride to the groom. Samaria? Did Jews and Samaritans have a good relationship with one another? (Verse 9) What we learned: Jesus deserves to be first in our life 3. When Jesus arrives at Jacob’s well, it was the sixth because he comes from above and is above all. He bears hour. What time of the day is the sixth hour? What witness to what he has seen and heard and utters the time of the day did most women come to draw water very words of God. Jesus must increase and we must from the well? decrease in every area of life in order for us to see God’s Kingdom built in our world. a. What is significant about the fact that this woman was drawing water from the well at the Introduction sixth hour? 1. Have you ever tried to find meaning and purpose b. How many times had this woman been apart from Jesus? What kinds of things did you married? What does Jesus reveal about her pursue in order satisfy the longing of your soul? Was current living situation? What does this indicate the result really satisfying? about the woman’s desire to find love and acceptance? a. When you look around at our world, what kinds of things do you see people pursuing in order c. Have you known people who are considered to fill their lives with meaning and purpose? Do social outcasts, like this woman? What is your any of these things really satisfy? initial response to people like this? What was Jesus’ reaction to this woman? b. If you could go back and live your life over again, what would you spend more time 4. In verse 10, what does Jesus reveal about himself, pursuing ... things of the world, or a and what does he offer to the woman? Does she relationship with Jesus? Why? fully understand what Jesus is offering to her? a. What does Jesus say about the living water d. What is the purpose of John’s Gospel? Read that is different than the water this woman is John 20:31. What does Jesus tell us about used to drinking? (Verses 13-14) himself throughout his life? How important is our understanding of who Jesus really is? b. What is the result of the living water that Jesus offers? (Verse 14) 7. As we share the Gospel message with people, what lessons can we learn from Jesus and his encounter c. How is the conversation with the woman at the with the Samaritan woman? well similar to the conversation with Nicodemus? (John 3:1-15) Challenge: Jesus has come into our world so that we might believe and have eternal life. This offer is for d. In what ways are Nicodemus and the everyone regardless of who they are, where they come Samaritan woman different? from, or what their past has been. e. What does Jesus offer to both Nicodemus and Action: We all know someone who is the “woman at the the Samaritan woman? What is the central well.” Make a commitment to share the message of living message in his conversations with “righteous” water that leads to eternal life with ______. and “unrighteous” people? Next Steps: 5. It seems like the woman tries to change the subject after Jesus reveals the source of her shame and G I am spiritually and emotionally “parched”—I need social status. What subject does she turn to in order Living Water. to direct the conversation away from her situation? G I realize that Living Water is the only thing that really (Verses 19-20) satisfies and fills completely. a. How does Jesus respond to the woman’s G I understand that Jesus is “The Great I AM.” 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.