Home Group Study - Sermon Date: 12 July 2019

Text: John 4:31-42

 Opening Discussion: A “foodie” is defined in the dictionary, as someone who has a particular interest or passion for food. You don’t have to be a foodie to enjoy trying dishes from different countries. You don’t have to be right or wrong either, it all depends on your subjective palette. Many regard eating cheese or butter as disgusting and find the French custom of eating snails to be strange. Some countries even consider eating a plain cooked steak as primitive and unappetizing. What is your fondest food memory?

Summary:

John 4 records the incredible story of the conversion of the Samaritan women. The story is exciting because of the radical transformation that takes place in the life of this woman. Her life is transformed together with her passions and desires. This woman who was serving her flesh has become a servant of righteousness. The Samaritans of the village of Sychar were a despised people. No one expected them to believe and receive Jesus. But when Jesus passed through their country, something happened. Jesus humbly asked a drink of water from this despised Samaritan woman who was even more despised than the normal Samaritan villagers. She talked with Jesus and received the water of eternal life from Him. She accepted him as the Messiah, and she rushed back to her village to tell the good news. This women was so excited that she leaves her waterpot, goes back to her village, and tells the men, who normally would have laughed at anything she said (4:29), “Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?” Even though they despised the woman, they could see that something had happened in her life. So they came out of the town and made their way toward Jesus. After listening to Jesus the men invited Him to stay with them. He spent two days there, during which time many more Samaritans came to believe in Him. At the end of that time, they proclaimed (4:42b), “This One is indeed the Savior of the world.” This narrative teaches us that God uses witnesses who are excited about Jesus, have a harvest perspective, and invite others to come to Him.

Investigation & Interpretation:

• Read: John 4:31-42

1. What food did Jesus have to eat that the disciples did not know about? v.32
2. What physical example is Jesus using in verses 35-38 to teach the disciples to develop a harvest mindset?
3. In verse 39, the woman says to the villagers, "He told me all that I ever did." From the text we have, what were some of these things the women had done? v.17,18
4. After spending two days with Jesus the Samaritans came to know that Jesus is indeed more than any other prophet. Who did they discover him to be? v.42

Application - How must I change?

• Is there a Truth to be believed?

In light of the centuries of hostility between Samaritans and Jews, the Samaritans’ warm acceptance of Jesus is amazing. The Holy Spirit can break down barriers that the world has erected. What barriers do you think still exist that keep people from embracing Jesus as their Lord and Saviour?

• Is there an Attitude to be fostered?

Mahatma Gandhi in his autobiography writes about his experience going to church in South Africa. He says, “The church did not make a favourable impression on me. The sermons seemed to me uninspiring. The congregation did not strike me as being particularly religious. They were not an assembly of devout souls, they appeared rather to be worldly –minded people, going to church for recreation and in conformity to custom. Here at times, I would involuntarily doze. I was ashamed, but some of my neighbours, who were in no better case, lightened the shame. I could not go on like this, and soon gave up attending the service.” If someone has lost their passion for Jesus, how do they get it back? (See Rev. 2:1-7)

•  Is there a Behavior to be changed?

The Samaritan woman at the well was amazed not only that Jesus knew the facts of her life, but that He loved her knowing the facts of her life. We sometimes fear that if someone knew all that I ever did, they could not love us - but Jesus loved this woman. How much of a factor does fear play in keeping us from being honest; a) with God and b) with each other?

Conclusion

Jesus makes four points in this short lesson on sowing and reaping:

1. The harvest may be ready in situations where you never would expect it (4:35).
2. There is great reward and great joy in doing God’s work (4:36)
3. To reap a harvest, seed must be sown (4:37-38).
4. You may do the hard work of sowing only to have others reap the harvest (4:37-38).

It’s rare for someone to come to faith the first time he hears the message. And, if you share the gospel and the person does not respond, don’t get discouraged. Pray that God would water the seed that you’ve sown and bring along someone else who may reap the fruit. As Paul said (1 Cor. 3:6), “I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” We should never despair of doing good in the most unpromising circumstances, and we should seize upon every opportunity to share with sinners the great hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

God uses the witness of those who are excited about Jesus, whose passion is to do the will of the father. John Piper said; “God created us to live with a single passion: to joyfully display his supreme excellence in all the spheres of life. The wasted life is the life without this passion. God calls us to pray and think and dream and plan to make much of him in every part of our lives.”

Prayer Points:  

1. Pray we would be patiently persistent in the work of sowing and reaping.
2. Pray we would hunger after God and the great joy in doing God’s work.
3. Pray that we will be equipped and effective in sharing the great hope of the gospel of Jesus Christ.