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Lesson 14: John 4:27-42

John 4:27-30
And upon this came his disciples, and marveled that he talked with the woman:  yet no man said, What seekest thou? or, Why talkest thou with her? The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men, Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ? Then they went out of the city, and came unto him.

 
Related Scriptures
Proverbs 17:28
Luke 8:38-39
James 1:19

 Questions
1. Jesus talked with both women and men. Why might the disciples think it strange that Jesus was speaking with this woman?
2. If the disciples had challenged Jesus for talking to the woman how would their words have influenced her awakening faith?
3. What did the woman do now that she believed in Jesus?
4. Who did she say Jesus was?
5. What was the response of the men of her city?

John 4:31-38
In the mean while his disciples prayed him, saying, Master, eat. But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of. Therefore said the disciples one to another, Hath any man brought him ought to eat? Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. And herein is that saying true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I sent you to reap that whereon ye bestowed no labour: other men laboured, and ye are entered into their labours.

Related Scriptures
The following are other uses of the picture of sowing and reaping in the Bible. They will be similar in some ways and different in some ways than what you’ve just read.
Matthew 13:3-9
Matthew 18-23
Matthew 13:24-30
Matthew 13:36-43
1 Corinthians 3:5-8 (Paul is speaking here.)

Questions
1. Did Jesus find doing God’s work fulfilling?
2. Would Jesus’ comparison of doing God’s will and food suggest that obedience to God could lead to one’s well being at an inner level?
3. Was Jesus talking about a harvest of grain or of souls?
4. What would a “harvest” of souls be? 
5. Would the Samaritan woman coming to faith be part of such a harvest?
6. Were the disciples to likewise help people?
7. Who gave the results, the “harvesters” or God?

John 4:39-42
And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did. So when the Samaritans were come unto him, they besought him that he would tarry with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his own word; And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world.

Related Scriptures
John 3:16
Acts 1:7-8
Acts 3:12-15
2 Corinthians 5:17-21
1 John 5:10-12

Questions
1. The Samaritans believed on Jesus for two reasons. What were the reasons?
2.  In Acts 3, the Apostles could speak of Jesus' Resurrection from personal experience. How could somebody living today give firsthand
     testimony that Jesus died and rose again?
3.  The Samaritan woman testified about Jesus based on her experience. a. What testimony could you give about Jesus based on your 
     experience? b. If you don’t have personal experience, what testimony could you give based on what you’ve been learning about Jesus?
4.  Based on the “Related Scriptures” what impact did the faith of these Samaritans likely have on their lives?

 

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