The Woman of Samaria

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?”  (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

  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.)

~John 4:7-9

What makes it obvious that the Samaritan woman was suprised by Jesus' request?

• that Jews and Samaritans don't associate with each other

This woman, an outcast because of her race and her lifestyle, found acceptance in Jesus.  When have you associated with someone considered an outcast or befriended someone that wasn't part of your group?

• I think the first time I associated with someone taht could have been considered an outcast was probably in seventh grade.  This girl wasn't the brightest of the bunch, nor the prettiest of girls, but also her family life at home wasn't so great either

Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

  “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?  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?”

  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.”

  The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

  He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.”

  “I have no husband,” she replied.

Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband.  The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”

~John 4:10-18

Do you think the woman understood what sort of water Jesus was speaking of here?  Looking at her lifestyle, what do you think she was really thirsty for?

• no, she was probably just thirsty for regular water

What have you used to try to fulfill your spiritual thirsts?  Clothes?  Family?  Carer?  Recreation?  Christ?

• I think I have used Christ to fulfill my spiritual thirsts by talking to him through prayer

“Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet.  Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.”

    “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.  You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.  Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.  God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.”

~John 4:19-24

The woman abruptly changes the subject here.  Was she really interested in the answer or was she more interested in moving the topic away from her lifestyle?

• I think she was possibly interested in Jesus' answer to her previous question

Is it hard for you to face up to the areas of your life that need changing?  What tactics do you use to keep the light of God's work and spirit away from your weaknesses and sins?

• sometimes
• prayer

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.”

~John 4:25-26

This is the very first time Jesus acknowledges exactly who he is.  Why do you think he would choose to tell this woman, an outcast of society, instead of the leaders of Jewish religion and culture, or even his own desciples?  Do you find his action delightful or just a bit distasteful?

• because God helps out those who are mistreated first
• I find his action delightful

Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?”

  Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people,  “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?”  They came out of the town and made their way toward him.

~John 4:27-30

What one part of their conversation convinced the woman that Jesus was who he said he was?

• when Jesus said "I am he"

What convinces you of the truth and validity of Jesus' claims?  If you could meet him at a well, as this woman did, what would you ask him?  What would convince you that he is what he said he is?

• the fact that he says we will thirst no more spiritually if we believe in him
• The only thing I can think is "Is it really you?", but in a way, that makes me feel like I'm talking like I don't believe in him, which is not true at all
• the way he would speak to me

Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.”  So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days.  And because of his words many more became believers.

  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.”

~John 4:39-42

What does the Samaritan woman do when she realizes who Jesus is?

• she tells the people of the town she is from

Once we've accepted the truth of Jesus' claims to be the Christ, what is the best response for us to make?  How often do we actually respond in the way the Samaritan woman responded, and with as much enthusiasm?

• we should respond with as much joy as the Samaritan woman had, and we probaby should do this more often

Who is in your inner circle? How does your inner circle treat those who are outside?

I would say that the people that are in my inner circle are those that are a part of my family and those that are my closest frieinds.  Any of these people are god people and they would treat those outside of that circle with warmth and kindness.

Anna

When the time came for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the Law of the Lord, “Every firstborn male is to be consecrated to the Lord”), and to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or two young pigeons.”

~Luke 2:22-24

What does their careful observance of the Law of Moses tell you about Joseph and Mary?

• that they were God-fearing people

What about your life reveals your Christian committment?

• Everyday, I take some time to read from a devotional which takes about a couple of minutes and then I read a chapter from whatever certain book I am reading from the bible.  On a weekly basis, I go to church every sunday morning and go to church choir rehearsals.  On about a monthly (or so) basis, I help volunteer with fundraisers or events being held at my church

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him.  It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah.  Moved by the Spirit, he went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying:

  “Sovereign Lord, as you have promised,
you may now dismiss your servant in peace.
For my eyes have seen your salvation,
  which you have prepared in the sight of all nations:
a light for revelation to the Gentiles,
and the glory of your people Israel.”

~Luke 2:25-32

What did Simeon's words reveal about himself?  What did they reveal about Jesus' life and ministry?

• that he was a very devout man and was ready to meet God in heaven
• the he was going to save us from all our sins

The promise Simeon held onto was that he would see the Christ before he died.  If you knew death were near, what would you like to see God accomplish before you died?

• to have me be accepted in a job somewhere

The child’s father and mother marveled at what was said about him.  Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

~Luke 2:33-35

What do you think Simeon meant when he told Mary that "a sword will pierce your...soul"?

• that she will become brokenhearted at his death

There was also a prophet, Anna, the daughter of Penuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage, and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying.

~Luke 2:36-37

Describe what you think Anna's lifestyle was like.

• she probably had a pretty simple lifestyle where she dedicated her love to the Lord

What about Anna's lifestyle wish were true of your own?  What can you do to make that happen in your life?

• I would say that I probably wish I did more fasting by eating some lighter meals

Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem.

~Luke 2:38

What do you think Anna said about Jesus?  How do you think the crowd that listened responded?

• that he is the light of the world and will bring us salvation
• they responded with amazement

If an Anna were to have spoken (prophesied) about you when you were six weeks old, what would she have said?

• she will be a great and loving person to all and will make a difference in this world
  

Mary, The Mother of Jesus

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee,  to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary.  The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

  Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.  But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God.  You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

  “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

  The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

~Luke 1:26-35

Put the angel's greetings in to your own words.  Why do you think this greeting troubled Mary?

• "Hello, Mary.  I have come to bring you news from teh Lord."
• She was unsure if this was good news or bad news.

If an angel were to visit you today, what sort of greeting do you think he would give you?  What would the greeting reveal about your character and about your relationship with God?

• I think he would give me the same kind of greeting that Mary received
• If God has made me highly favored of Him, then he sees that I am a good person and abide by what he says

Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.  For no word from God will ever fail.

~Luke 1:36-37

What two things does the angel tell Mary In these verses?  Why would he tell her about Elizabeth?  Why would he tell her that "nothing is impossible with God"?  Didn't Mary already know this?

• Elizabeth is going to have a child and God's word will never fail
• so that Mary could be assured that she was not alone

If truly "nothing is impossible with God," what area of your life or circumstance do you need to turn over to him?  What is keeping you from doing this?

• that he will show me the way to someone that will make me happy in love
• my impatience

“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

~Luke 1:38

What does Mary's response tell you about her?  Do you think at this point she truly realizes what her future holds?  How will the attitude apparent in these words help her in the difficult times in the future?

• that she is not afraid of God's plan
• yes, and her attitude will help her be strong in the future

In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world.  (This was the first census that took place while Quirinius was governor of Syria.)  And everyone went to their own town to register.

  So Joseph also went up from the town of Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to Bethlehem the town of David, because he belonged to the house and line of David.  He went there to register with Mary, who was pledged to be married to him and was expecting a child.  While they were there, the time came for the baby to be born, and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger, because there was no guest room available for them.

~Luke 2:1-7

These words are so familiar and the story so well-known.  The birth of God on earth becomes commonplace, ordinary.  Reread these verses, considering while you do the emotions Joseph and Mary must have experienced, what they might have said to each other, how they might have prayed.  Then contemplate the actual event: not just the birth of a baby but the birth of the Christ!

• Both Mary and Joseph must have been full of many emotions.  They were probably both very excited and very scared at the same time as probably most couples are when their child is about to come to the world.  Joseph for sure was probably constantly reassuring Mary that they will find a place for the baby to be born, and they both probably prayed that they would find that place soon and that it would be in a safe part of town.

Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Festival of the Passover.  When he was twelve years old, they went up to the festival, according to the custom.  After the festival was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.  Thinking he was in their company, they traveled on for a day. Then they began looking for him among their relatives and friends.  When they did not find him, they went back to Jerusalem to look for him.  After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.  Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers.  When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.”

    “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”  But they did not understand what he was saying to them.

  Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart.  And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.

~Luke 2:41-52

Who does Mary call Jesus' father?  Who does Jesus say his father is?  Why is this significant?

• Joseph
• God
• Jesus in a way has two fathers.  One earthly and one spiritual

Verse 51 says Mary and Joseph "did not understand" what Jesus meant by what he said to them.  However, verse 51 says that Mary "treasured all these things in her heart."  Contrast the two verses.  What do you think is meant by "treasured"?

• Mary might have been upset with Jesus, but she still loved him no matter what
• she loved every day she she spent with him
• eventhough Mary was upset with Jesus, she still loved him no matter what

Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother’s sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene.  When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,”  and to the disciple, “Here is your mother.” From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

~John 19:25-27

It is pretty hard to put into words the agony Mary must have been experiencing as she watched her son die.  Seeing her distress must have added to Jesus' torment.  What does this scene tell you about their relationship?

• that they loved each other very much as mother and son

Watching a son or daughter die is perhaps the most painful experience known to the human race.  Where is the only place one can go to find some comfort when such painful events enter our lives?  Why?

• God, because he understands all of our pain and will comfort us at any time we are at our lowest 

Have you ever been used by God despite your own reluctance?

Balak said to Balaam, “What have you done to me? I brought you to curse my enemies, but you have done nothing but bless them!”

~Numbers 23:11

I don't think I can speak for ever feeling reluctant during a time when God uses me to do something.  If god wants to use me to help others, I will be more than willing to do so

Elizabeth

In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron.  Both of them were righteous in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commands and decrees blamelessly.  But they were childless because Elizabeth was not able to conceive, and they were both very old.

~Luke 1:5-7

What important things do these verses tell you about Elizabeth and Zechariah?  Do you think the words of verse 6 mean they were perfect?  If not, what do these wrods mean?

• that they were righteous people and followed God's word
• I don't think Elizabeth and Zechariah were perfect, they were just very religious people and fearded God

Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense.  And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside.

  Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense.  When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear.  But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John.  He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born.  He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God.  And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

  Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.”

  The angel said to him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news.  And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time.”

  Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple.  When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak.

~Luke 1:8-22

Why do you think Zechariah didn't believe the angel?  Was he so afraid?  Was the announcement so unbelieveable?  Why do you think he was punished for not believing?

• Because he knew both he and his wife Elizabeth were very old people
• He was punished because the word came from God

Imagine an angel coming to you with some unexpected and unbelievable announcement.  What would your reaction be?

• I think I would be very suprised, but if this message indeed comes from God I would listen adn adhere to it

 When his time of service was completed, he returned home.  After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion.  “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

~Luke 1:23-25

Why would Elizabeth say she was disgraced among her people?

• possibly because she was not able to bear children before

Describe how the infertile woman feels today.  Is disgrace part of her feelings?  If you know someone who is struggling with infertility, how can you be a friend and support to her?

• I think she feels disgraced and alone.  I don't know anybody who is infertile at this moment but if I did, I would be willing to pray with her.

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea,  where she entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth.  When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

~Luke 1:39-41

Do you think the reaction of Elizabeth's baby to Mary's arrival was just coincidence?  What do you think prompted the baby to "leap" just then?

• not really.  It's complicated to explains but since Mary was pregnant with Jesus at teh time as well, we could say that Elizabeth's baby was aware of Jesus' soon coming arriva sa well.

In a loud voice she exclaimed: “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!  But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?  As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.

~Luke 1:42-44

Elizabeth didn't just smile and offer a quiet prayer when Mary arrived.  She "exclaimed" and praised God "in a loud voice."  What would have to happen for you to exclaim your praise to God in a loud voice?

• I think I would need to find a job first

Blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfill his promises to her!

~Luke 1:45

What is the focus of Elizabeth's praise: what God has done to ehr life or what God has done in Mary's life?  What does this reveal about Elizabeth?

• I think the focus is about what God has done in Mary's life. 
• I think this reveals that Elizabeth is very honored to be in the presence of her coming Messiah
  

On what "teams" do you participate? What role do you usually play - starring or substitue?

I would say that the certain team that I participate in would be my local community choir.  In that group I would say that I play both a starring and a substitue role