THE SAMARITAN–JOHN 4:1-42–LESSON 9
Introduction:
“The Samaritans were “half-breeds,” part Jew and part Gentile. As such, they were considered outcasts and were despised by the Jews. They had their own religious system in Samaria that competed with the claims of the Jews (see 4:20–24) and believed in the coming of the Messiah (4:25). Jesus “needed to go through Samaria” (v. 4) because God had planned for this sinful woman to meet Him and find in Him the water of life. In the interview recorded, we see the different stages by which this woman came to believe in Christ.” (Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines of the New Testament).
I. THE CONTRAST.
A. The Woman was a Samaritan, vs. 3-6.
1. She was of a race that was mixed half Jew and half Gentile.
2. She was a harlot and an outcast, ostracized and marked off as immoral.
3. Chatting at the well was a social highpoint for the women of the village, but she came at noon when the other women would not be there.
B. Nicodemus was a leader of the Jews, John 3:1, 10.
1. He was respected in the community.
2. He was a ruler and probably sat on the Sanhedrin, the ruling council of the Jews.
3. He was a teacher of the Law of Moses and very religious.
II. THE GIFT, vs. 7-15.
A. “Give me to drink.” v. 7
1. She is surprised that Jesus, a Jew, would speak to her.
2. The Jews had no dealings with the Samaritans.
B. “If thou knewest the gift of God” vs. 10-15.
1. If you knew who was speaking to you, you would ask me for water.
2. Nothing with which to draw the water…she is still thinking of the water in the well.
3. “Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:” v. 13.
C. Jesus offers the “living waters”, vs. 14-15.
1. Never thirst again
2. “A well of water springing up into everlasting life.” v. 14.
3. “Sir, give me this water,” v. 15.
D. Jesus reveals the Grace of God to the Woman.
1. The woman’s sinful condition is established, vs. 16-18.
2. She attempts to change the subject, vs. 19-20.
3. Jesus reveals a great truth to her, vs. 21-26.
a. Jesus basically says that she does not know what she is talking about.
b. “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” v. 24.
c. Jesus reveals who he is to the woman, vs. 25-26.
E. The Samaritan Woman Trust Christ as Savior.
III. THE DIFFERENCES.
A. Nicodemus was a religious man and took pride in keeping the Law. He did not recognize his need for God’s Grace.
1. Jesus spoke to him of his need of a spiritual birth.
2. He took time to explain using Old Testament examples, John 3:14-15.
B. The Samaritan Woman already knew she was a sinner and needed to see herself as a person of worth and value.
1. She was an outcast from her own people.
2. She needed to be wanted, and to be thought of as a person of value.
CONCLUSION:
The evidence that this woman trusted the Lord as her Savior is seen in her spreading the news of the Messiah.
Many came to know Jesus as the Savior by her own testimony.
Isn’t it great to see how the Lord can take some like this woman and change her life and give it meaning again?
He took Nicodemus, a religious but lost Jew, and made him see his need of the Savior as well.
LESSON 10 TO FOLLOW: