Story of the woman at the well:

- Jesus is tired

woman comes to draw water

Jesus engages her in conversation

Jesus turns the conversation spiritual - living water

She is interested and asks further questions

Jesus comments about her relational status

Woman is not intimidated or embarrassed, rather she dives deeper into the spiritual and asks question about worship

Jesus answers her question

She makes a statement about waiting for the messiah. Jesus reveals that he is the awaited messiah

Disciples return and interrupt

Woman leaves her jar and goes back to town a gathers people

John 4:39–42 NIV

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.”

The Church is Relational: Outward

This this the goal of the church! The church exists to bring the good news of Jesus to the world.

Acts 1:8 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

We have a mission as the church - to make Jesus known to the ends of the earth - to bring the kingdom to the lost and the hurting. Does that mean we all need to quit our day jobs and start street preaching? No, instead, we can take some cues from Jesus and the woman at the well.

Form Friendships

Jesus was friendly. He was tired from a long journey. I am sure he sent his disciples on ahead because he wanted a moment to himself. Instead of minding his own business, he struck up a conversation with the woman.

We underestimate the importance of friendships when it comes to spreading the good news of Jesus.

we tend to focus on Jesus’ preaching or peter and Billy Graham and think that is how people come to know Jesus.

Conversion - event vs. process

Stark’s Table here

Rodney Stark - a sociologist, sought to answer the question, “How did a tiny and obscure messianic movement from the edge of the Roman Empire dislodge classical paganism and become the dominant faith of Western civilization?”

Complex - no single factor

Explain Table and conversion rate

Stark concludes that it isn’t mass conversions that led to the incredible growth of Christianity in the first 3 centuries, rather it was friendships.

From his book, “The Rise of Christianity”

“Above all we should give weight to the presence and influence of friends. It is a force which so often escapes the record, but it gives shape to everyone’s personal life. One friend might bring another to the faith.”

He goes on to say..

“Most new religious movements faith because they quickly become closed, or semiclosed networks. That is, they fail to keep forming and sustaining attachments to outsiders and thereby lose the capacity to grow.”

Form Friendships

What does it look like for us to intentionally form friendships with those who don’t yet know Jesus?

Develop regular rhythms - meet people

Foster friendships with other believers as well, so that you have a place to invite your new friends into .

We are in this together!

Start Spiritual Conversations

Jesus, in his conversation with the woman at the well, used the commonality of water to turn the conversation spiritual.

John 4:10 NIV

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.”

Start Spiritual Conversations

Story - class assignment

I learned that people are far more open that we expect when they believe we are genuinely curious.

gentleness

genuineness and respect

Reserve judgment - be a safe place for people

Colossians 4:5–6 NIV

Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Start Spiritual Conversations

Jesus took an opportunity to have a spiritual conversation with the woman at the well. We need to have our eyes open for those opportunities as well! We also need to be prepared.

I came across an article in Christianity Today that had some great questions that help turn conversations spiritual. Here are a few of my favorites:

We've never had a chance to talk about your religious background. Where would you say you are in your spiritual pilgrimage?

Most people in America say they believe in God. What does believing in God mean to you?

Before I came to know Christ personally, God was a vague concept that I could not relate to or grasp. How would you describe your view of God? Jesus? Is He a reality to you or more of a vague concept?

We are spiritual beings and I really believe that we yearn for spiritual things. As Christians, let’s practice using questions to begin spiritual conversations with our friends.

Be a Witness

John 4:28–30 NIV

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.

Be a Witness

We are to make Jesus known in this world and expand his kingdom in both word and deed. Jesus has made a difference in our lives and we want to let that difference show!

Matthew 5:14–16 NIV

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Be a Witness

We have the light of Jesus in our lives. Let us let it shine!

“The church’s word gains weight and power not through concepts but by example.” – Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Letters and Papers from Prison

Our lives should be a living example of the love of Jesus. Our love for others demonstrates the love Jesus has for people. The fruit of the spirit gives evidence of the work of God in our lives.

1 Peter 3:15 NIV

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

The Church is Relational: Outward

Let’s return to the story of the woman at the well

John 4:39–42 NIV

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.”

The Church is Relational: Outward

Initially, it was the witness and testimony of the woman that piqued the curiosity of the townspeople. They knew this woman and at first, it was her story that carried more weight than the strange man at the well. but then they came to know Jesus themselves.

Friendships are important. They are the primary pathway that people are introduced to Jesus.

Let us form friendships, start spiritual conversations and live as witnesses. We are the church and we are called to be relational.