GETTING STARTED
I have a friend who was changed by Jesus. He had always been a nice person, but he was never really warm and friendly. He seemed self-consumed, with his eyes on his career, focused on having a “picture perfect” family and a good retirement plan. But his heart seemed hard toward others. Then, something changed. Suddenly he was taking mission trips to Africa, shedding his consumer possessions, and opening his home to adopt a child into his family of five. The light in his eyes was infectious. You couldn’t help but wonder what—or who—had changed him. When you ask him now, he boldly gushes about his love for Jesus.
- Have you known someone whose dramatic change for Jesus has made you yearn to know Jesus more?
READ THE WORD: JOHN 4:39-45 (ESV)
39 Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me all that I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. 41 And many more believed because of his word. 42 They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”
43 After the two days he departed for Galilee. 44 (For Jesus himself had testified that a prophet has no honor in his own hometown.) 45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast.
English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
DIGGING DEEPER
- What, specifically, led the Samaritans to meet Jesus for themselves (vs. 39)?
- What was controversial about Jesus staying with the Samaritans for two days? Why did he do it anyway (vs. 41)?
- Having explored for themselves who Jesus was, the Samaritans became convinced that he was whom (vs. 42)?
- How was Jesus greeted when he left Samaria for Galilee (vs. 45)?
- What about Jesus still causes you to yearn to know more about him?
RESPOND TO GOD
The other Samaritans in town probably thought it odd that a Jew would pay such attention to a woman who was not only a Samaritan—a race looked down upon by the Jewish culture at the time—but a woman known to be living in sin. Yet, they saw such a change in her that they were anxious to find out more about Jesus, the man who could give the water of eternal life. Just as Jesus knew exactly what the needs of the woman at the well were, so does he know what you need. As he revealed his true identity to her, she longed to know him and share him. What about Jesus caused you to yearn to know more about him? How can you share that with others?
- Pray that others see Jesus when they meet you.