THE WATER OF LIFE

I. THE CHRIST—vv. 1–6

A. Preaching—vv. 1–2. Christ’s ministry was that of an evangelist, winning people to God. He did not baptize anyone.

B. Place—vv. 3–4. Returning to Galilee, Jesus passed through Samaria. The Jews and the Samaritans did not speak to each other.

C. Person—vv. 5–6. Jesus, weary and thirsty, stopped at Jacob’s well. It was the sixth hour—12 noon.

II. THE CONVERSATION—vv. 7–15

A. Savior—vv. 7–8. Jesus asked the woman for a drink. Normally, the Jews would not speak to the Samaritans.

B. Surprise—v. 9. The woman was surprised that Jesus would ask her for a drink. Jesus looked at this woman as a soul that needed help.

C. C Symbol—v. 10. Jesus used water as a symbol of salvation. Notice the term—LIVING WATER! Enjoyable life—.

D. Salvation—vv. 11–15

1. Problem—vv. 11–12. He had nothing with which to draw the water from the well.

2. Pardon—vv. 13–15. Jesus was speaking of man’s spiritual thirst. Salvation would be a well of water—everlasting life. When she understood, the woman wanted the water of life.

III. THE CHARACTER—vv. 16–26

A. Sin—vv. 16–18. This woman had had five husbands, and was living with a man, who was not her husband. Jesus knew this.

B. Savior—vv. 19–20. The woman recognized Jesus as a prophet.

C. Spirit—vv. 21–24. Worship God through the Spirit. The Jews worshiped God through tradition. No one can have salvation except through the Holy Spirit.

D. Sacred—vv. 25–26. The woman did not know she was speaking to Christ the Messiah.

IV. THE CONVERSION—vv. 27–30

A. Surprise—v. 27. The disciples returned, surprised that Jesus was talking to this sinful woman. The disciples saw the sin of the woman; they did not see her as a soul in need!

B. Soul-winner—vv. 28–29. The woman returned to the city, telling the people about Christ.

C. Seeking—v. 30. “So the people came streaming from the village to see him”—LB. This woman became a soul-winner!

[1] Pentz, C. M. (1974). Expository Outlines on the Gospel of John (p. 20). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.