Plan Be
Jesus Talks to a Woman at the Well
Part 1 Let's first understand the historical context with this cultural encounter between the Samaritan woman and Jesus (a Jew): Notes: John 4:1-3 Already opposition was rising against Jesus, especially from the Pharisees. They resented Jesus’ popularity as well as his message, which challenged much of their teachings. Because Jesus was just beginning his ministry, it wasn’t yet time to confront these leaders openly; so he left Jerusalem and traveled north toward Galilee. Notes: John 4:4 After the northern kingdom, with its capital at Samaria, fell to the Assyrians, many Jews were deported to Assyria, and foreigners were brought in to settle the land and help keep the peace (2 Kings 17:24). The intermarriage between those foreigners and the remaining Jews resulted in a mixed race, impure in the opinion of Jews who lived in the southern kingdom. Thus the pure Jews hated this mixed race called Samaritans because they felt that their fellow Jews who had intermarried had betrayed their people and nation. Jesus came to a town in Samaria called Sychar. Tired from his journey, Jesus sat down by a water well. John 4:7-14 A Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her: “Will you give me a drink?” The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For in that day and age, Jews did not associate with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?” Jesus answered her, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but 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.” Notes: John 4:7-9 (Jesus Crossed over all Barriers) This woman (1) was a Samaritan, a member of the hated mixed race, (2) was known to be living in sin [which you will learn in tomorrow’s Blog], and (3) was in a public place. No respectable Jewish man would talk to a woman under such circumstances. But Jesus did. The gospel is for every person, no matter what his or her race, social position, or past sins. We must be prepared to share this gospel at any time and in any place. Jesus crossed all barriers to share the gospel,and we who follow him must do no less.” --------------------------------- Journal "40 Days of Excellence" CHALLENGE Notes: John 4:10 What did Jesus mean by “living water?” In the Old Testament, many verses speak of thirsting after God as one thirsts for water (Psalm 42:1); Isaiah 55:1; Jeremiah 2:13; Zechariah 13:1). God is called the fountain of life (Psalm 36:9) and the spring of living water (Jeremiah 17:13). In saying he would bring living water that could forever quench a person’s thirst for God, Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah. Only the Messiah could give this gift that satisfies the soul’s desire. Q: Are there cultural barriers today? Q: How comfortable are you in sharing your faith in Friend Jesus with others? Q: This week do at least 3 random acts of kindness to a stranger and journal your experience. (Maybe it's holding the door open for someone and smiling at them. Maybe it's paying it forward when you get your coffee at your local coffee shop. Maybe it's letting someone cut in front of you on the road instead of you speeding up and cutting them off. Wherever your heart leads you, journal about it. How did it make the stranger feel? How did it make you feel? Q: Have a fresh glass of water. Look at it a little differently - look at it as being the living water and be thankful you are meeting Jesus at the well. We invite you on a quest to dig deeper and learn about the meaning of the death and resurrection of Friend Jesus. Join us in this Journal Challenge to learn what it was like to walk alongside Jesus. If you want to "give something up" (we recommend noise in your life: social media, limited news time, etc.). Instead of focusing on what you can't have, let's focus on what we CAN HAVE walking with Jesus through the prophets and disciples. Here is What To Do 1) Start by scheduling quiet time into your schedule every day for 40 days (if you are joining us well into the 40 days, no worries, just start here). 2) Get a Journal and entitle it: "40 Days of Excellence" or "Days of Excellence" :) 3) Get your Bible out (or use the YouVersion Bible app) and write out the questions and scripture mentioned in the our blogs, (you can go back and review the blog posts from February 15 on). There is a lot - just do what you can. Focus on Thee Goal and Thee Prize. 4) Around Day 30, journal what the characteristics of BEcoming an EXCELLENT Christian can look like in your life. We promise you, this will be one of the most enriching studies you can do. BE dedicated, set boundaries, and you will discover EXCELLENCE in Jesus, Others and Yourself through JOY!! Please Note: If you are joining us well into the 40 Day Challenge, like God, we will meet you where you are at! No stress. No worries. We're just happy you are coming along for the journey. xo Christie and Sandi --------------------------------- PRAYER Dear Jesus, I am putting myself in this Samaritan woman's sandals and trying to imagine what it must have been like in those days to have such cultural differences. I understand that even today there are cultural differences BUT we, as Christians, are united in God's Family. Thank you for this short story of how Jesus, as a Jew, dealt with someone different than himself. Help me to cross over all social (e.g. race, religion, gender, cultural) barriers and BE accepting of everyone I meet representing Jesus and His Character. Help me to thirst daily for the living water found in Friend Jesus, the Christ. In your Loving Name, Amen. --------------------------------- REFERENCES 1) Life Applications Study Bible (Scripture and Notes) 2) Assembled by: Christie Lynch Be Designed to Be
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