Series Summary:
We live life in troubled times with troubled hearts. Who or what do we believe? The Greek word πιστεύω (pisteuo) is translated believe. It is not just an intellectual exercise. It is an entrusting of one’s self to a person or a cause. The gospel of John uses pisteuo 98 times! “These are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name." This fall may "your heart not be troubled. Believe!” πιστεύω #John #2025
Starter
Have you ever had or planned what seemed like a divine appointment with someone? Explain
Pray
Lord we live life in troubled times with troubled hearts. Who or what do we believe? You tell us clearly what to believe. You tell us, “These are written so that you may believe Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and by believing you may have life in His name." As we study the book of John, open our hearts and minds to believe. May we encourage one another to truly believe entrusting our lives to you and your will being done. May we strive to lead people to believe in you “the way, the truth, and the life.” Amen
Study Questions
"Messiah" comes from the Hebrew word for "anointed one" and traditionally refers to a divinely chosen leader, such as a prophet, priest, or king. In Judaism, the Messiah is an anticipated figure who will bring a golden age of peace and restoration for the Jewish people. Jesus was and is that Messiah. He fulfilled the messianic prophecies of the old testament, and will be the ultimate Savior of humanity. Believe in the Messiah, Jesus.
- What was the baptism of John and the disciples? (see: Matthew 3:11)
- Why do you think Jesus the Messiah was not baptizing? (4:2)
- How is our water baptism today similar and different to baptism back then? (see: Acts 2:38, 10:48, Romans 6:3-4)
- Jesus left Judea to go away from John’s ministry? Why? (4:1-3)
- Jews would have gone around Samaria not through it because of their hatred for the Samaritans who were seen as half breed idolaters. John says, Jesus “had to travel through Samaria”, why? (4:4-6)
- Why was the Samaritan woman at the well at noon, the hottest time of the day? (4:6-7)
- Why was the woman amazed that Jesus spoke to her? (4:7-15)
- What was amazing about what Jesus asked?
- What did the woman hear when Jesus said “living water”?
- Why does the Samaritan woman respond the way she does to Jesus’ offer of living water?
- How do people still respond that way?
- What did Jesus mean when he said living water? (see: Jer. 2:13, Zec. 14:7-9, Rev. 22:1-2, Is. 44:3, Ez. 39:29, John 7:37-39)
- Jesus showed himself to be greater than the patriarch Jacob. How? (4:13-26)
- Why did Jesus bring up her husband and confront her sin head on? (4:16-19)
- How is confronting sin still essential for us to do as we tell people to believe in the Messiah, Jesus?
- Why do we hesitate to confront sin?
- What does she say in John 4:19-20? Discuss why.
- How is this still often how people respond to God? why?
- She perceived Jesus to be prophet. What can that knowledge and memory tell us about her life?
- What was Jesus’ answer about proper worship? (4:20-26)
- What does it mean to worship in Spirit and Truth?
- Why is it essential to understand the truth about the Messiah, Holy Spirit, and scriptures to be able to discern and “test the spirts” (1 John 4:1)?
- When does Jesus say this worship can start? (4:23)
- How can our cultural upbringing like this Samaritan woman impact what we think about prophets, spirit power, and proper worship?
- What does the woman “know” and why is that important? (4:25)
- How can her knowledge about the Messiah give us insight into her life?
- What does Jesus confess about himself to the woman that he did not confess to many others? (4:26)
- How does the woman respond to Jesus’ confession? (4:28-29)
- How does her response show commitment to her belief in Him as the Messiah and her worship of Him in Spirit and Truth?