What are the barriers you face in sharing your faith?
This is a real question for us today. It was also a question for the first followers of Jesus. Shame, fear, rejection, prejudice, pride etc. These are all barriers Barriers always find a way to show up in the way we share our faith. One of the things Jesus does best is show us how to overcome barriers. I am excited to share with you this week!
Read John 4
v. 1-3
Why does Jesus leave Judea (a growing ministry) to go to Galilee? What was being counted here? How should we respond to "keeping score" in gospel ministry?
v. 4
Says "he had to pass through Samaria." Explain the two ways this is true. Share some "coincidences" that you could later see as divine appointments.
v. 6
Jesus being tired and thirsty shows his humanity, but how does it fit his deity? v. 1-6 Share some of the barriers you have faced in sharing the gospel.
v. 7-26
Records the conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. Analyze the flow of the conversation. Try to capture the tone by re-enacting key exchanges.
Map out the flow of this encounter. Here are some key terms to focus on:
- v. 7 drink (of water)
- v.9 Jewish man, Samaritan woman
- v. 10-14 living water, eternal life
- v. 16-18 husband
- v. 19 prophet
- v. 20-24 worship
- v. 25 Messiah
What can we learn from this for our witnessing?