OBJECTIVE:

• John 4:1-15

EXPLORE:

(These are different commentary notes that can be used to explain the context to our students. Feel free to use your own.)

Location

• The story starts in Judea (John 4:1-2), soon after Jesus and his disciples head back to Galilee (John 4:3). On the way to Galilee they stop in a small town called Sychar, which is in Samaria (John 4:4-5).
• Sychar is the location of Jacob’s well (John 4:6).
• The well is also the same place God gave Abram his promise, that he would give all his descendants this land. (Genesis 12:7)

Cultural Differences 

• During this time period the Jews and Samaritans did not like each other. The reason was their differing belief systems.
• The feud between the two was so bad the Jews traveling to and from Judea would cross the Jordan River twice to get to Galilee rather than going into Samaria. The Samaritan woman had to have been surprised to just have seen a Jewish man at the well in the first place.
• Jesus went through Samaria on purpose just to talk to this woman at the well.

Living Water

• “Living Water” during Jesus' time was actually a common phrase for water that would bubble up from the ground.
• Jesus wasn’t talking about a nearby spring of “living water”, he was talking about the spiritual water. He also, specifically directs where you have to get this water, which is himself (John 4:10, 13-14)
• Meaning in order to be filled with the Spirit and remain filled you have to seek Jesus, that he is the well we should be pulling from not the world or culture.
• Being the very nature of why he chose to go through Samaria, and talk to this Samaritan woman. While establishing a “new world order” he broke the cultural mold of both parties.

STUDENT RESOURCES:

Map of Jesus Path from Judea to Galilee 

Photo of Jacob’s Well
 

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS: 

Scripture (S)

• Read it together! What details stood out to you in this passage that you may not have noticed before? What context provided stood out to you as well?

Observation (O)

• Why do you think Jesus chose to go through Samaria, instead of going all the way around as most Jews did in that time?
• Why do you think Jesus used the term “living water”, instead of just coming out and saying what he meant? Was it to meet her where she was physically, or was it to give better imagery for what was to come?

Application (A)

• Is there something in your current life that is keeping you from going through an issue that needs to be addressed? If so, what is it, for example is it family, fear of being mocked, or shame?
• Are you trying to quench your spiritual thirst with something other than Jesus? If so, what are you filling yourself with that could be causing you to fill not spiritually full?

Prayer (P)

• Pray to God for a Boldness to step out of the cultural norms of society and family dynamic. To remember that when we step out Jesus will always be there to comfort us.
• Also, pray for God to remove all distractions and things of this world that we are filling ourselves with. That we turn to Jesus and seek him and in doing so fill ourselves with the Living Water Jesus is offering!