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 women 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 she could have been divorced by five different men. As you listen to her story, think about the ways that 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 to be 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 lots of limits at that time in history. No woman could be taught by a rabbi. A woman couldn’t associate with a man who wasn’t part of her family. Picture 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 Samaritan used, and that’s why the woman was so surprised when Jesus asked for a drink from her water jug.
Barrier 3 Social: With her water jug, the woman came to the well at noon. 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: But there in broad daylight and hot sun, the woman talked to Jesus the rabbi about the biggest division between Jews and Samaritans. With a growing excitement, she talked about the Messiah that everyone waited for. 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 in 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 that you haven’t met yet in your school, church or neighborhood? Find an opportunity to be friendly and welcoming.
- Is there a person in your class that you don’t usually talk to that you could break down barriers with and find common ground?
- Is there someone who looks different from you that you can have a conversation with?
- Is there a good friend that you haven’t had a faith conversation with but now seems like a good time?
