The Woman at the Well
Throughout Jesus’ ministry, people wondered who Jesus was. In this story, meet the first person to whom Jesus told who he was and find out what happened when she learned that Jesus was the Messiah.
Before You ListenLet's Get Started
Theme: Discovering Wisdom- Jesus the Savior
- John 4:39 says that many of the Samaritans from that town believed in Jesus because of what the woman said. What will you say about Jesus when people ask you?
- The Bible doesn’t name the woman we meet in John 4, but she must have had a very hard life of sadness and abuse. She could have been widowed five times, which would have been tragic. Only men could initiate a divorce during Bible times, so five different men could have divorced her. As you listen to her story, think about how her life must have changed when she met Jesus, her Messiah.
After you listen
Memory Verse
The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”
Quiz
Reflect
John, the gospel writer, must have considered this story very important. It’s the longest conversation that Jesus has with anyone in scripture.
First, Jesus breaks down all the barriers between the Samaritan woman and him and then reveals to her that he is the Messiah.
Barrier 1: Gender: Women had many limitations at that time. No woman could be taught by a rabbi, and she couldn’t associate with a man who wasn’t part of her family. Imagine the disciples’ reaction when they returned and were surprised to find Jesus talking with a woman.
Barrier 2 Culture: Jews and Samaritans did not get along. They did share religious history; both believed in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but they disagreed about how and where to worship God. The Jews saw the Samaritans as the people God rejected. Their hatred went so far that Jews were forbidden to touch and use the same utensils that Samaritans used, and that’s why the woman was so surprised when Jesus asked for a drink from her water jug.
Barrier 3 Social: The woman came to the well at noon with her water jug. Why did she do this daily chore when her fellow townspeople would be resting during the hottest point of the day? She didn’t expect others to be there. She came alone.
Barriers Broken: In broad daylight and hot sun, the woman talked to Jesus, the rabbi, about the biggest division between Jews and Samaritans. With growing excitement, she spoke of the Messiah everyone awaited. Could Jesus be the Messiah?
Jesus told her that a time was coming when true worshipers would unite and worship God together in the Spirit and truth.
Jesus then told her that he was the Messiah.
And just like the Christmas shepherds and the fishermen-disciples, excitedly, she left her water jug behind and became the first evangelist to the Gentiles.
Want to dig deeper and learn more about how God calls unexpected people? Reread the whole conversation and what came after in John 4: 1-42. As you read, look for the barriers and see how Jesus broke down every expectation when he started a conversation.
Challenge
Look to have a conversation that breaks down barriers. Pray about it. Talk to your parents and move ahead.
- Is there a new person in your school, church, or neighborhood you haven't met yet? Find an opportunity to be friendly and welcoming.
- Is there a person you don't usually talk to in your class that you could break down barriers and find common ground?
- Is there someone who looks different from you with whom you can have a conversation?
- Is there a good friend with whom you haven't had a faith conversation, but now seems like a good time?
