Avoidance. Fear. Guilt. Secrecy.
Dirty, troubled words, aren’t they?
Take a look at Romans 3:23
We all live in a tad bit of all the above. It’s sin, and we all have it. We ALL fall short of the glory of God. We’re all troubled.
Let’s take a look at one troubled woman who to this day amazes me with her strength.
Read John 4:1-6
1- Where were Jesus and the disciples traveling to? Where did they go through?
Samaritan people were partly Jewish and partly Gentile. Because they were a racially mixed group, and in fact even intermarried with Mesopotamian groups, they were avoided my Jews. They were seen as defiling to be around, as if to say that Samaritans would contaminate the Jewish people.
In verse 6…
2- What “hour” does it state Jesus began to draw water from the well?
This hour is what we would know as noon, the hottest time of day.
Let’s look into this well thing a little more…
Read Genesis 24:11
3- When did women typically go to the well?
Wells then, may have been like the starbucks or the hair salons of our time. What do you think? I mean, really, can you imagine what it was like? Here is a daily, maybe even twice a day, opportunity to gather together as women and talk all they wanted to. First thing in the morning, when the kids were up all night and the husband stubbed his toe as he got up for his usually middle of the night “potty” run…and right before dinner time, when kids were psycho and the husband comes home demanding food! Wow…that’s pretty much when you see the starbucks at it’s fullest these days, isn’t it?
4- What do women talk about?
5- Most likely you mentioned other women in the list. How often do you think this noon-day woman at the well came up for conversation?
Read on in John 4:7-9
5- In verse 7 who spoke first, Jesus or the woman?
This took the woman by surprise. She was one, a woman…two, a Samaritan! what He was doing was considered unclean in his culture.
…meanwhile, back at OUR well…starbucks…
6- What would be considered a cultural no-no in our starbucks society? Would it be as simple as refraining from talk of that “sinful and strange” woman…or would it be giving a homeless guy five bucks, instead of ordering coffee that day? What would happen if you started talking to other people in starbucks randomly…and you mentioned Jesus?- whew! Now there’s a risk! That may take quite a lot of guts.
7- What is God asking you to do that you need the guts for?
Read John 4:10-12
Maybe you think you have the guts but you’re not sure God fully understands that what He’s asking us unrealistic…things will be affected, turned, changed. We sometimes wonder if God is really able to do what He promises, protecting and enabling us to do what He calls us to do…sound familiar?
Really, we’re all still that junior high kid in the cafeteria. Nerd or jock every move is based on what we think we ought to do to control our status…being who God made you is, in your eyes, seldom an option, and too much of a risk.
In verse 11 I think the woman is having these very thoughts…”Dude, you have nothing to draw the water from”. The well was far over 100 feet deep. “Where are you gonna get that?” In fact,in verse 12 she uses what she KNOWS as truth and asks “Are you greater than…?” She knew Jacob, the father of Israel gave her people that well…what could THIS dude do for her? She most likely had high hopes, but I imagine didn’t show them and certainly didn’t feel they were possible.
8- What’s holding you back from really trusting God to have your back in what you feel you are called to begin, or stop, doing?
Read John 4:13-15…what an awesome passage.
He is talking about nurturing more than her body- her soul! It’s beautiful!
9- What does God do to feed your soul, not just your flesh?
The woman says she wants this living water- so she doesn’t have to come back to the well. She doesn’t want to have to keep coming in the heat of the day to avoid the stares and nasty remarks of other women! She’s excited about not having to come back to this pubic place of humility…for her, anyway. But he’s not talking literally.
Read John 4:16-19
Oh snap! Can you imagine her face?! She’s all: Who the heck IS this guy!?
Jesus gently gives her understanding of both the knowledge He holds about her and her sin. The woman had “5 husbands”, we don’t know or need to know details. They may have died, or divorced her, and the latest was just a guy was maybe a boyfriend only. But what I know I can safely assume, is that she was quite put out by men and having only a fleeting and temporary confidence that she could be physically satisfied, and satisfy others.She was most likely unpopular with the ladies too…seeing as she’s at the well at noon. She must have felt so lonely and beat down.
I think this feeding of the spirit stuff sounded strange to her…but can you imagine the hope it gave her?!
10- What could you release to God if you could just believe He will take care of you through? Have you experienced a time like this in your life?
For me there are so many moments. One was with my own father. What a huge step it was for me, and sometimes still is, to let him get to know me. But God has given me what I need along the way, and has helped me shed what I cannot hold onto to move forward.
Read John 4:20-24
We could go pretty deep on this stuff, but for time sake let’s look more generally.
Jesus talks about how worship is not confined to one place in verse 21, because God is not confined, as is a God made of flesh.
11- How do you attempt to confine God in your life? Where is He not allowed in your life, according to you?
Read John 4:25-30
Wow! Can you imagine: “Yep, I’m the dude you’re talking about”…whoa! I bet it blew her mind! But to see the love He showed her, and know what He naturally knew about her…I imagine something wonderful clicked inside her.
12- And what happens in verse 29&30?!
Read John 4:31-38
13- Disciples were speaking of physically nurturing food, what was Jesus speaking of?
In verse 35, one of my personal favorite verses ever, btw…
14- Are you following what He is he referencing?! Why does He say “lift up your eyes”?
The disciples I’m sure looked up, and saw…the people…coming for answers…WOW…what I would give to see that moment.
15- Ever had one of those moments where you look up, and finally see what God has possibly been trying to tell you for some time now?
Take a look at Luke 10:2 and Matthew 9:37
16- Are you ready? Are you equipped with the armor of God to be that different woman…that soldier for Christ in starbucks, beauty salons, preschool hallways, even your own front yard?
Dig deep and get those guts, you’ll need them because it’s quite a ride. Your Savior is mighty, and He’s got your back through thick and thin. Past and present…and future.
Read John 4:39-42
17- Describe these last few verses.
Jesus is the Savior of ALL people, not just Jews. He is the lover of souls, all souls…even those with 5 husbands. He desires all people to know Him, understand Him, and spread His message.
18- How are you helping Him with those troubled souls? It might be yours, it might be a friend’s. It most likely changes daily!
The harvest is plentiful. The workers are few. May you hear God’ calling and pack up for work. May you cling to His joy and strength, and faithfully trek on knowing it won’t be an easy ride, but a ride worth taking.
There might just be a woman at a starbucks somewhere who needs to meet Jesus…
