Here are the discussion questions that accompany my message from this past weekend “A Deeper Thirst” on John 4:1-42 at Eastbrook Church.
Discussion Questions:
1. One theme in the “Conversations” series we are in right now at Eastbrook is that Jesus is personal and relational. Throughout John’s Gospel, He talks to everyday people like you and me through direct, personal conversations. How does this idea of a personal and relational God make you feel?
2. When reading John chapter 4, it is important to understand that the Samaritans and the Jews had a long and difficult relationship as people. Though both traced their ancestry and religion back to Moses, the Samaritans and Jews thought different mountains were the sacred places of worship (Mt. Gerizim versus Mt. Zion), used slightly different Scriptures (The Torah – or first five books of the Bible – versus our entire Old Testament), and had a great dislike for one another culturally. It is also important to know that Jewish men did not relate much publically with women, whether Jewish or otherwise. With this in view, what do you learn about Jesus by simply reading the first eight verses of John 4?
3. Jesus talks quite a bit about “living water” in the first part of this chapter. Living water is literally a description of running water as opposed to still water, as would be found in a well. What do you think that Jesus is trying to get at in verses 10-15 by talking about “living water”? You may also want to read John 1:17-18; 1:32-34; and 7:37-39.
4. Would you describe your life as “welling up” or “gushing forth” living water from God? Why or why not?
5. Jesus points out that with His coming the geographical center of worship is no longer important, whether Mt. Gerizim or Mt. Zion. Instead, according to Jesus, God is looking for something else. What is it as seen in verses 21-24? What does this mean?
6. How would you describe the life of the Samaritan woman after her conversation with Jesus (v 26 onward)? What did she do? How had she changed?
7. What is one practical thing you can do this week to live as a worshiper of God in spirit and truth with rivers of living water welling up from your life? Write it down and reflect on it through the week. Or, if you are in a small group, discuss this with one another.
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Matthew Erickson 
Hi, Matt…
With regard to Point 2, what I learn about Jesus in the first 8 verses of John 4 is that He has compassion for all people. Despite the cultural differences between the Jews and the Samaritans, Jesus reached out to the Samaritan woman with a leading question: “Will you give me a drink?”… knowing that it would initiate a conversation. As a result of that conversation, the Samaritan woman would come to understand clearly that it wasn’t the mountain on which the Jews and the Samaritans worshiped that would make a difference to God, but the ability of all people to worship God in spirit and in truth: no matter who they were or where they were. For me, it brings to mind that Jesus is the Good Shepherd… of all people. Scripture bears this out in John 10:16…
I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.
The Samaritan woman was just the beginning. Thanks be to God for Jesus Christ, who came to offer the “living water” of John 4 to everyone.
Love in Christ,
Tony