1.- Click on the above Blue Letter Bible link and read John 4:1-42 within it and as much of the commentary on it as time permits. (We will focus on 4:43-54 tomorrow.) Then share one thing that really impressed you from this passage about the woman at the well. Put a verse or phrase from it on your MP3 card.
The woman at the well was eager to tell others about her encounter with Jesus. Robert was also happy to share recently as well. He wrote, "I shared my testimony with a friend at the gym recently." That can be a lot harder than just giving out a card. Way to go Robert!
And Chuy also saw an opportunity to share recently. He wrote, " I've talked to my wife's cousin at a Bday party about how I'm trying to be a better person through God." That's great Chuy! God is at work in and through you.
Tim just joined us last week. He teaches Sunday school at New Life Oak Forest and wrote, "We had two new students on Sunday with whom I was able to share the Gospel (through a bridge illustration) for about 30 minutes." That's excellent Tim!
2.- The Bridge illustration? What's that? It's a simple way that you too can share the gospel with a friend on a piece of paper or even the back of a restaurant place mat. (Yes, I've used such before :) Take a piece of paper and copy down what you see the man doing in the video. That practice will give you confidence. Say Yes to #2. if you copied it down. Way to go! Sadly, people have graduated from seminary and have never learned how to share their faith. Now you can in such a simple and clear way.
Announcements
Well, this is embarrassing, but I have to delay the birth announcement I just made. Just Sunday, I told the men at the M3 meeting that we would be launching a new mirror image blog in a week. The technology necessary to do this is fairly new and called IFTTT. (IF This, Then That) It's not perfect. In testing, sometimes there would be a lag of a few hours from when it should have posted the mirror image blog. We would also still have the occasional possible problem of the cyber monster eating posted work. Ugh! But it would enable us to launch two or more sites. However, there is a beautiful solution worth waiting for. I just got off the phone with Tim Dearborn, our computer programmer guru. He has been working a lot "secretly in his underground laboratory" on a project that may take a couple more months to complete. He is writing computer code and such to make our own M3 website that would not need IFTTT or even Blogspot.com so it would also kill the cyber monster for good! I just saw what he has gotten done so far and it's fantastic! So if you don't mind us being pregnant (all together and growing more) for a couple months more, we will wait until he is done with this, rather than moving people around twice. I promise you, it will be well worth the wait :)
Happy Birthday Dave H.!!!
As you go to put up your points, did any of your wingmen on your fire team or brothers in your squad not put up their points yesterday? Be devoted to them and find out what happened. Build a strong TEAM- Together Everyone Accomplishes More. Thanks!
1. John 4: 42. And they told the woman , " We believe now, not because of what you said , but because we ourselves have heard him , and know that he is the Savior of the world.
ReplyDeleteIn hearing the words of Jesus, many Samaritan's believed that Jesus was the Savior of everyone . The Jewish people thought that the Messiah would be for them alone.
2 done
Brother Lou, "The Jewish people thought that the Messiah would be for them alone." yes, unfortunately there are many religions today with the same mentality. May God have mercy on us all.
Delete1. John 4:14 "but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
ReplyDeleteGreat illustration that is given at the well... Only the living water that comes from God can calm the thirst that is in everyone's soul.
2. Yes
Brother Roger, yes "As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, my God." Psalm 42:1
Delete1. John 4:18 "the fact is that you have had 5 husbands, and the man you have now is not your husband. What you have said is quite true."
ReplyDeleteJesus was showing his supernatural power-- that he in fact knew all and is the Messiah.
Very important to me was that he brought out her sins, but showed his unconditional and everlasting Love-- that she could be forgiven. So many of us are afraid to disclose our sins so we hide and live under cover and in shame-- but our Savior is waiting for us to repent and believe-- as he bridged the gap and provides Salvation.
2. Yes
Amen bro.
DeleteBrother Jack, yes "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
DeleteJack, thank you for the great job in bringing in Manly men to M3.
DeleteJack, thank you for the great job in bringing in Manly men to M3.
DeleteAmen because of his unconditional love we have all found forgiveness
Delete1- John 4:29a Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did.
ReplyDeleteI like the commentary on this verse. It wasn't that Jesus told her what she had done that amazed her but rather he loved her regardless of it. Guilt and shame is a factor that pushes us away from Christ. I know that in my life that can be true. Sometimes I have a hard time opening up with even my closest friends because I fell shame about certain things.
2- Yes and No.
I didn't copy it on paper. Rather I took a picture of it so that i have it with me at all times because I would lose the paper.
Great idea on the photo Luis. I'll do it too. Thx bro
DeleteBrother Luis, ditto, really liked your idea of taking a picture!
DeleteLuis , it's a small verse , but you pulled much out of it.
DeleteGood thoughts, Luis.
Delete1. "Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” John 4:12
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing for me to think that the well was dug over seven hundreds years earlier to meet a very legitimate need and throughout hundreds of years served the masses. But little did Jacob know then that it was really for the much greater purpose of salvation, for God foreknew and ordained a divine appointment with the Samaritan woman that also lead to many more Samaritans to believe as well.
2. Did it :-)
Hhmmm. Good thought bro. Even the smallest things we do now, God can use for greater purposes in the future.
DeleteTo me this verse also shows me that when we go through difficult times in our lives , that somewhere up ahead there was a purpose.
DeleteYes what a great plan that God had to reach the Samaritans through the woman at the well.
DeleteAwesome and unique perspective Robert! If only Jacob knew that the Son of the God would one day set at this well when he bruit it :)
DeleteJohn 4:35, 39
ReplyDelete35 Don’t you have a saying, ‘It’s still four months until harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
39 Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”
I pray that we are alert in sharing our faith. There is plenty of work out there. Sometimes all we have to do is share our testimony. God bless.
2. Did it- It also in the blue book.
Yes Sam. How many time have we come up to someone who has gone through the same difficulties we've been through. Or someone who needs to know about God's forgiveness and his love for us. These are the people who are waiting for God's servants to approach. Thank you , Sam.
DeleteYes Sam may we all be bold in sharing our testimony
Delete:)
Delete28Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, 29“Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” 30They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
ReplyDelete31Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.”
32But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.”
33Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?”
34“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.
Interesting, first the Samaritan woman heard everything that she ever heard, and didn't keep her light under a table but ran to downtown and testify of the man who told her everything she ever heard. she instantly became a witness for Christ.
Jesus on the other hand, did not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God. and that was his mission. We likewise are called to spread this good news.
Very good analysis Lemmy. Great to have you on board with us
DeleteVery Good brother Jimmy, God bless you!
DeleteLemmy, great to have with us. Very good post. I look froward to many more .
DeleteNice job Lemmy! So happy to have you join us!
Delete1.When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”
ReplyDeleteJohn 4:7
Jesus conversation with the Samaritan woman reveals his commitment to his heavenly father's purpose and his own inner desire to bring this person to eternal life. Jesus consuming passion was to save the lost!
2. Christ on the cross is the bridge to God so if we accept Jesus we can access God our Heavenly Father.
Where would we be without the love of Jesus. Without the gift of salvation. Thank you Father for you Son Jesus.
DeleteBrother George, "Jesus consuming passion was to save the lost!" You nailed it! (no pun intended)
Delete1.John 4:35 NIV
ReplyDelete[35] Do you not say, 'Four months more and then the harvest'? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
-this spurs me to want to share my faith today!
2. Yes I did it
Your are a great servant of God, Dave. Good talking to you at meeting on Sunday.
DeleteBrother Dave D, amen!!! "this spurs me to want to share my faith today!"
Delete"He (Jesus) told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." Luke 10:2
Yes amen Dave may we always be bold in sharing our testimony
Delete1. John 4:34 "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
ReplyDeleteI like the explanation it gives in understanding this verse. Food means it is satisfying to do the will of God. These are good for understanding complex verses.
2. done
I got to say it is satisfying serving God. Good point chuy. May God continue to work in you and bless you.
DeleteWhat better comparison for satisfaction than that? Great post, Chuy. We are all familiar now with our little M3 mantra: No Bible...no breakfast, and many of us will willingly deprive ourselves of our morning meal until we have taken the time to open our Bible and read scripture or do our devotional. It is a reminder that God's Word satisfies more than food.
Delete1. “Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”” John 4:13-14
ReplyDeleteThis scripture shows me when we get to heaven all are needs and wants will be satisfied. This earth will never be satisfying for anyone without Jesus Christ in there lives.
2. Did it.
Right you are James!
Delete1) “Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.””
ReplyDeleteJohn 4:13-14
2) yes
Bueno Ricardo.
DeleteGood verse choice, Ricardo!
Delete1 The fact that Jesus brought up the woman living with a man that is not her husband is done because Jesus, although offering grace, needs to confront sin.
ReplyDelete2 Did it.
Yes! I had not thought of it that way before, but here we see an example of a proper confession. Christ leads the woman to acknowledge her sin. She could have denied it, as many men do when it comes to exposing their sin. She could have scoffed at Jesus and walked away indignantly, but she accepts her guilt and confronts the truth. With loving grace, Jesus does not condemn her, but tells her exactly what she must do. Repent and sin no more. Great read Ed!
DeleteYes indeed Ed. Only those who see their sin, see their need for a Savior.
DeleteBrother Ed, "Jesus, although offering grace, needs to confront sin." amen!
Delete1.- Jn. 4:24
ReplyDeleteGod is Spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the spirit and in truth.
e. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth: Jesus establishes the basis for true worship: it is not of places and trappings, but in spirit and in truth.
i. To worship in spirit means you are concerned with the spiritual realities, not outward sacrifices, cleansing and trappings.
To worship in truth means you worship according to the whole council of God's word, especially in light of the New was looking for people to *worship him. But he wanted them to *worship him sincerely. We can *worship God anywhere. He is *Spirit. This means that he is everywhere. It does not matter where we *worship him.
Acts 17:25. A pure, a holy, a spiritual worship, therefore, is such as he seeks - the offering of the soul rather than the formal offering of the body - the homage of the heart rather than that of the lips.
Amen, brother. Very well said. The parallel verse from Acts hits it right on the head: the offering of the soul and the homage of the heart. I will be writing this verse down and will keep working to live by it. God bless.
Delete2.- done
ReplyDeleteJohn 4:39-42 "Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” 40 So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. 41 And because of his words many more became believers. 42 They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”
ReplyDeleteThis entire exchange between Christ, the woman, and the Samaritans who gathered speaks to our own mission to spread the Gospel. Many of us fear ridicule or rejection when tasked with sharing the Good News with others. What we often fail to see is that so many around us thirst for the Word. The Samaritans (a group most unlikely to embrace Jesus given the relationship between Jews and Samaritans) welcomed Him and invited Jesus to stay among them. They did not ask for miracles. They did not ask for any sign...they simply listened and came to believe that Jesus was the long-awaited-for Messiah. This is the power of the Good News. Truth requires little convincing of those who hear it. It took me all of one evening at the Men's Retreat to surrender my life to Jesus, accept Him as my Lord and Savior, and decide to be born again. I did not see miracles performed that night, but I did hear the Word in a way I had never heard it before: with the Holy Spirit stirring within me, lighting a fire in my heart. The hard work has been done for us (John 4:38). Christ's sacrifice and the gift of the Holy Spirit have lead the way. Now it is our turn to speak the Good News and let the Holy Spirit activate the sidelined saints around us.
2. Done.
Excellent insights Osiris- Many of us fear ridicule or rejection when tasked with sharing the Good News with others. What we often fail to see is that so many around us thirst for the Word. The Samaritans (a group most unlikely to embrace Jesus given the relationship between Jews and Samaritans) welcomed Him and invited Jesus to stay among them. They did not ask for miracles. They did not ask for any sign...they simply listened and came to believe that Jesus was the long-awaited-for Messiah. This is the power of the Good News.
DeleteBrother Osiris, as I read your posting I was reminded of 1 Samuel 8, the Hebrew nation were asking for a king. Samuel was displeased and prayed. The LORD replied "Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king." (v7)
DeleteThis reminds me that when we share our faith and it's rejected, I'm not to take it personal because I'm not the one being rejected, they're rejecting the LORD and they'll be accountable for doing so. So fear not ridicule or rejection "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Keep up the good work my brother, God bless :-)
4. (16-26) Jesus directs her from her sinful life to true worship. I love this section because in it Jesus says to go grab her husband and says she does not have one and Jesus's knows all of this. Jesus wanted her to believe that if you live a life within sin So much good can come out of it.
ReplyDelete2) did it
Great insight. My brother. continue the great work on the blog.
Delete1. John 4:13-14, Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”
ReplyDelete2. Yes.
Oscar!!!! great verse.
DeleteGod bless
Bueno Oscar. So good to see you on the blog sharing. I commend you for being faithful.
Delete1- John 4:34New Living Translation (NLT)
ReplyDelete34 Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.
Great verse. Jesus kept focus on his purpose. Again Jesus being an example to his disciples. I love the fact that Jesus knew his purpose on earth and stood with it. I need to heed that example to do what God has called me to do. It's not easy but with the help of God I know I can do it. I want to be a Godly example to my children, friends and to my wife.
2- cool
Vince, I believe you are a Godly example for your children!
DeleteBrother Vince, I'm positive you're doing just that "Godly example to my children, friends and to my wife."
Delete1. i. To worship in spirit means you are concerned with the spiritual realities, not outward sacrifices, cleansings and trappings.
ReplyDeleteii. To worship in truth means you worship according to the whole council of God's word, especially in light of the New Testament revelation.
Worship can't be simply ritual but a heart attitude toward God.
2. Did it.
I like the way you put it Nic. - Worship can't be simply ritual but a heart attitude toward God.
DeleteI think too may people go to church as a ritual on Sunday but don't have God in their heart the rest of the week.
brother Nick, I almost picked that verse too :) To worship in spirit means you are concerned with the spiritual realities, not outward sacrifices, cleansings and trappings.
DeleteBrother Nic, you're right on, it's the attitude of our hearts!
Delete1. John 4:39 says "And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, "He told me all that I ever did. "
ReplyDeleteI love what the blue letter bible commentary says about this verse -- He told me all that I ever did: The woman 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.
2.yes
Well said Israel! Jesus loves all of us.
DeleteAmen! Great stuff Isreal!
DeleteVery good words, Tio! I enjoyed this post a lot!
Delete1 – John 4: 25-26 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.” How awesome it must have been for the woman to run into the Messiah at the well and for the Messiah to reveal Himself to a sinner on top of it.
ReplyDelete2 – Yes
Yes! What an amazing encounter she had!
DeletePraise god. I could only imagine the feeling of meeting Jesus.
Delete1. John 4:14 but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.
ReplyDelete2. Yes
Amen brother. We all need that kind of water.
Delete1. ohn 4:4 "And He HAD to pass through Samaria". Jesus had to go through Samaria because He has a divine appointment to reach out to someone. What divine appointments do you have? Is there anywhere you are compelled to go to attempt to reach someone? Good questions from this short verse.
ReplyDelete2. Yes
Very good application questions Tim.
DeleteSure hope you heal quickly from your painful fall.
1. John 4:35 Then Jesus explained: “My nourishment comes from doing the will of God, who sent me, and from finishing his work.
ReplyDelete2. No. But I will.
If only we nourished our spirits as we do our bodies, what strong, vibrant Christians we would become.
Delete1) John 4:26 Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am He.”
ReplyDeleteI noticed how Jesus steadily raised the Samaritan woman's awareness of who he was and how she came to want what he had for her. She first asked if he was greater then Jacob who dug the well that provided to generations the water that was essential to physical life. Then she thought that Jesus was on par with the prophets who gave out God's word. After exposing her past of so many broken and failed relationships with men, and then explaining how God as a Father seeks to be worshiped in spirit and truth, she sees the potential that he is like the promised Messiah who the Samaritans had been waiting for to come. Jesus confided to her that he was their Messiah. Her belief soon ignited the faith of other Samaritans that came to accepted Jesus as their Messiah.
2) Did it
Excellent Dave!!!
Delete1. John 4:35 Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, then comes the harvest’? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest.
ReplyDeleteb.The disciples can now reap a harvest immediately, and they reap it from seeds they didn't sow.
i. Jesus sowed the seeds, and they had the opportunity to reap. Many times, this is how the work of God happens - one sows, and another reaps (1 Corinthians 3:6-8).
Reading it like this really opens my eyes to the greatness of God. One question i do have is why Jesus speaks in code? Why couldn't he just say that he already prepared the people, now go out and finish what i have thought you.
2. Did it
Very good Horacio and great question. Jesus is the master Teacher. Sometimes he was very straightforward and other times he spoke in ways that makes you pause and think deeply as you just did. Mission accomplished.
Delete1. Here's what I found interesting:e. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth: Jesus establishes the basis for true worship: it is not of places and trappings, but in spirit and in truth.
ReplyDeletei. To worship in spirit means you are concerned with the spiritual realities, not outward sacrifices, cleansings and trappings.
ii. To worship in truth means you worship according to the whole council of God's word, especially in light of the New Testament revelation.
2. Did it.
Welcome home Eddie! (If I remembered rightly.)
DeleteI look forward to hearing all about your time.
1) John 4:42 "They said to the woman, "We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.""
ReplyDeleteI think the verse shows the importance of people needing to experience a personal relationship/encounter with Jesus themselves rather than just living off someone else's experience.
2) I'll do it in the morning since I'm unusually tired.
Well said Alex! Nice! :)
DeleteBrother Alex, you got it!! "people needing to experience a personal relationship/encounter with Jesus themselves"
DeleteYes, my first bible happened to be an Archeological Study Bible my dad let me have. It was such a great tool, and had many additional sections in each chapter about the Historical aspects of the Word.
ReplyDelete1) I really enjoyed the commentary tremendously, can't wait to utilize it more! I especially liked the corresponding historical context explained to go along with:
John 4:9 “The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. )”
Just another great example of Jesus totally by passing any cultural or social norms just to reach the lost. Amazing as always.
2) Yes. I started watching it and will make sure to copy it down tomorrow morning and practice so I can utilize the ever important skill of faith sharing your faith. This is something I really want to get better at!
Thanks for expressing that Will. It looks like intentional influence at its best
DeleteBrother William, how wonderful!! "Jesus totally by passing any cultural or social norms just to reach the lost."
Delete1
ReplyDeleteVerse 4:14 refers to living water.
Living water might seem cliche or a common term to throw around but quoting from the web site that:
"In ancient times, they called spring water living water because it seemed "alive" as it bubbled up from the ground.” So not only is scripture sufficient in quenching our spiritual thirst, but it can also cause us to Bubble Up from the inside out.
2
yes
Brother Gary, well said!! "it can also cause us to Bubble Up from the inside out."
ReplyDelete1. Because the Samaritans had a historical connection to the people of Israel, their faith was a combination of law and ritual from the Law of Moses, and various superstitions. Most Jews in Jesus' time despised the Samaritans, even more than Gentiles - because they were, religiously speaking, "half-breeds" who had a eclectic, mongrel faith.
ReplyDeleteThis interesting for much of the time I just knew jews despised Samaritans for they were of a different religion and and lower Class but didnot know the historical connection by a combination of law of Moses and superstitions.
2. Did it and will probably use it this sunday in kids class.