When we witness to people our topic of conversation must stay focused
on Jesus Christ.
John 4:1-42
Jesus went out of His way to talk to the woman at
the well.
John 4:1-6
“The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining
and baptizing more disciples than John, although in fact it was not Jesus
who baptized, but his disciples. When the Lord learned of this, he left
Judea and went back once more to Galilee. Now he had to go through Samaria.
So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground
Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired
as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth
hour.”
· Jesus went through Samaria by choice!
-
Most people went out of their way to avoid Samaria.
-
Jesus had a divine appointment
· The Samaritan woman’s life
-
She came to draw water at noon - the hottest time of day
-
She was a social outcast in her town because of her lifestyle
-
She had no idea who she was talking to
Jesus initiated the conversation with her
John 4:7-8
“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.)”
Jesus established a common link with the woman.
(The conversation began about a drink of water)
When we witness to people we need to begin at their point or interest
or need not our pre-planned agenda.
It is vital that we LISTEN first!
By listening we show we care about the other person.
Most of the time we will have to take the initiative
to witness
It is always our choice whether or not we initiate a conversation
with someone about Jesus.
Jesus chose to "turn the conversation" with the
woman five times
1. The Religion Question
John 4:9-10
“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.) 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."
The woman attempted to get into a discussion about “religion” with
Jesus.
Jesus resisted the temptation to get into a comparative religion
discussion. He casually (but not abruptly) returned the conversation to
himself.
“You are a ... and I am a ...” (Catholic, Baptist, Pentecostal,
etc.)
The question that always needs to be considered is:
Are we trying to bring this person to Jesus or are
we trying to convert them to our particular religion?
Jesus said:
“But I, when I am lifted up I will draw
all men to myself.”
2. The Authority Question
John 4:11-14
"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 flocks and herds?" Jesus answered,
"Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks
the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will
become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
The woman challenged Jesus authority
Who do you think you are anyway?
Jesus turned the conversation back to himself and eternal life.
People will challenge our authority to speak to them about their
spiritual lives too.
At this point we need to remain humble and not become defensive or
argumentative.
Focusing on sharing our personal faith in, and experiences with Jesus,
we can avoid coming across like we are telling people what to do.
3. The Social Improvement Question
John 4:15-18
“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."
The woman asked Jesus to help her out of the socially embarrassing
situation she was in.
Jesus challenged her life style that caused the problem to start
with.
There may be times when people share their personal hurts with us.
Sometimes we may need to point out the problem a person creates
for themselves by a particular lifestyle. Or the person may confide in
us about a problem or situation they have in their lives that are hurting
them.
The gifts of the spirit come into play here.
(Word of knowledge, word of wisdom)
Great sensitivity is a must at this point!!
The primary point is to always point the person to JESUS as the solution
for their problems!
4. The Church Building Question
John 4:19-24
"Sir," the woman said, "I can see that
you are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped on this mountain, but you Jews
claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem." Jesus declared,
"Believe me, woman, 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 spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father
seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in
truth."
The woman tried to get Jesus involved in a discussion about where
the right place was to worship. Jesus turned the conversation back to true
spiritual worship.
The PLACE of worship is not important.
The OBJECT of our worship is!
We worship here...you worship there... (First Assembly, First Baptist)
A lot of people say ‘I can go into the woods or mountains and worship
God and feel closer to God than in a church building.’ (That can be true.
But my question is usually, “Yes, but DO YOU worship God when you are out
there?)
Great care has to be taken because if we equate church attendance
with coming to Jesus Christ we have gotten side tracked from the real issue
of bringing a person to faith in Jesus Christ Himself.
A person may begin attending church and think they are right with
God because of that.
Church attendance is a good vehicle for reaping when an individual
is ready to accept the Lord.
Church attendance is also a vital thing to be taught to a new convert.
5. The Religious Beliefs Question
John 4:25-26
“The woman said, "I know that Messiah"
(called Christ) "is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to
us." Then Jesus declared, "I who speak to you am he."
The woman attempted to show Jesus her knowledge of religious doctrine.
She said she knew the Messiah was coming.
(Head Knowledge)
At this point Jesus introduces himself to her!
Many people know about Jesus intellectually. They have an intellectual
“head knowledge” but do not know Him personally.
It’s easy to get seriously side tracked at this question through
an argument or simply a “discussion” of religious beliefs.
The focus must remain on Jesus and the person’s
personal relationship with Him.
It is always OUR CHOICE whether or not we turn a conversation!!
We must always witness with gentleness and respect!
1 Peter 3:15
“But in your hearts set apart 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...” |
