Victory Fellowship Bible Study
273 23rd St. S.W., Barberton, OH 44203
Wednesdays at 7pm
Rev. Roderick D. Grabski (330) 858-0223
WEBPAGE: victoryfellowshipministries.com
arod4God@neo.rr.com FACEBOOK: Roderick Grabski
CLASS FIVE: Living Water & the 2nd Sign
I. ANNOUNCEMENTS and PRAYER CONCERNS
II. Read / Listen to John 4:1-54
a. What are your initial impressions or questions?
Notable translation differences?
III. Jesus and the Bad Samaritan (vv. 1-26)
a. (vv. 1-2) John (the author) is clarifying 3:26.
i. Gee Whiz Info: If baptism were necessary for salvation, Jesus certainly would have been doing it. (Luke 19:10)
b. (vv. 3-6) What does John mean that Jesus “had to” travel through Samaria which – for Jews – was the least desirable route? (see map)
i. The property Jacob gave Joseph is recorded in Joshua 24:32
ii. Jacob’s well is spring fed and today is about 100 feet deep. It was most likely deeper in Jesus’ day.
iii. In his gospel John not only presents Jesus as God, but he also points out the times of Jesus’ full humanity. (i.e. He was worn out from the journey)
c. (vv. 7-9) Jesus’ encounter with this woman runs counter to the social norms of that time. How so?
i. What is significant about the disciples going into Samaria to buy food?
ii. The Greek for “associate with” literally means “use the same utensils.”
iii. The worst insult the Jews could hurl at Jesus was to call Him a Samaritan.
d. (vv. 10-15) Jesus is the Living Water. What are the assumptions the woman is making about this living water?
e. (vv. 16-18) Why does Jesus make this request? What does her answer reveal?
f. (vv. 19-24) The woman changes the subject.
The Samaritans accepted only the Pentateuch as God’s inspired word, therefore they worshiped on Mt Gerizim, near Shechem where Abraham first built an altar to God (Gen. 12:6-7). Also, the Israelites proclaimed God’s blessings for obedience to His commandments from Mt. Gerizim (Deut. 11:29). However, the Jews accepted the whole Old Testament as God’s inspired word and rightly recognized that Jerusalem was the place God chose to be worshiped (2 Chron. 6:6; Psalms 48:1-2; 78:68-69; 132:13).
i. What does Jesus mean that salvation is from the Jews?
ii. Worship in spirit and truth puts no emphasis on ritual or religious practice but rather wells up from the human spirit and is consistent with the word of truth. God is Spirit. (Gen. 1:2; Col. 1:15; 1st Tim. 1:17; Hebrews 11:27)
g. (vs. 25) What is remarkable that she knows of the Messiah?
h. Compare vs. 26. The word “He” is not in the original Greek. Jesus is saying, “I who speak to you Am.” (See “I Am” statements)
IV. The Samaritan Woman’s Testimony (vv. 27-30)
a. Note the timing of the disciples return. Why were they amazed?
b. Why do you think the woman left her water jar? This detail informs us that John was an eyewitness of this event.
c. Why does the woman put her request in the form of a question?
V. The Harvest is Ready (vv. 31-38)
a. What are the disciples concerned about and what are they missing?
b. What is Jesus referring to when he tells them to look at the fields?
VI. The Savior of the World (vv. 39-42)
a. Note the progression Jesus took in the eyes of this woman – going from Jew, to are you greater than Jacob, to a prophet, to Messiah, Savior of the World.
b. The pattern of Jesus’ mission from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria, and then to the Gentiles anticipates the post-Pentecost mission of the church. See Acts 1:8.
VII. The 2nd Sign: Healing the Official’s Son (vv. 43-54)
a. Galilee was known as “Galilee of the Gentiles.” Jesus’ welcome there must be placed in the context of verses 44 and 48.
b. Jesus returns to Cana and is approached by a royal official, probably a gentile Centurion in service to Herod Antipas who was tetrarch of Galilee from 4 B.C. to A.D. 39. This is NOT the same account found in Matthew 8:5-13 and Luke 7:2-10.
c. What two incorrect assumptions does the official make?
d. What was the outcome of the royal official’s response to Jesus?
e. Verse 54 does not contradict John 2:23 & 3:2. This was Jesus’ 2nd sign performed in Cana.
VIII. Application
a. Salvation comes to those who recognize that they are spiritually thirsty and desire to quench their thirst. (Isaiah 12:2-3; Rev. 21:6)
b. Salvation comes to those who confess and repent of their sin, and who seek God’s forgiveness. (Psalm 32:5; 1st John 1:8-10)
c. Salvation comes only to those who acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Lord, Messiah, and Savior. (1st Timothy 2:5-6; John 14:6; Acts 4:12)
Final Comments, Questions. Close in Prayer
Next Week: The 3rd Sign: Healing the Sick - Read John 5:1-47 to prepare.
