Welcome to Kendra Graham’s online Bible study. This is a place where we can come together and share in our journey towards Scriptural truths and spiritual maturity. We pray this will be a safe, respectful, resourceful place to come and discuss God’s Word…to discover What it says…What it means…and What it means to you!
Kendra Graham NOTES from John 4:3-10
WHAT DOES IT SAY? THE FACTS ONLY PLEASE.
In this step you need to list the outstanding facts of the passage. DON’T get caught up in the details, just list the facts. Do not paraphrase. Use the actual words of the passage. This is God’s Word, a lot of times this step seems tedious to some, but I urge you, as we read, and say and write God’s Word, it begins to sink deep into our hearts. If you just pick one fact out of the verse, write it down and meditate on it.
Verses 3 & 4: He left Judea, and HE HAD to pass through Samaria.
Verse 5: He came to a city in Samaria, Sychar.
Verse 6: Jacob’s well was there, Jesus was wearied & sitting, it was about the 6th hour.
Verse 7: There came a woman of Samaria to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink”.
Verse 8: The disciples had gone to buy food.
Verse 9: The Samaritan woman said, “How is it that you being a Jew ask me for a drink, I am Samaritan woman.”
Verse 10: Jesus: “If you knew the Gift who says, “Give Me drink” you would ask, you would ask Him & He would give living water.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN? THE LESSONS.
Look for a lesson to learn from each fact. What are the people doing that they should be doing? What are the people doing that they shouldn’t be doing?
Is there a command to follow? A promise to claim? A warning to heed? An example to follow?
Verses 3 & 4: God with skin on, Jesus, who had eternity to plan out His steps, stops everything that He had to do, and specifically, on purpose, is compelled to go to a scandalous place with one person in mind. Jesus goes to extremes personally for me and for you. Grace is personal. God meets us where we are.
Verse 5: “Sychar”means purchased. This place was purchased by Jacob, re-purchased by blood through Joshua’s conquest, and now, personally purchased by the scandalous grace of a Savior. Jesus- compelled to purchase YOU, His handmade creation with His own blood. (Romans 5:8-9)
Verses 6, 7a: Jacob’s well was there: A place can “look”religious, it is not by association that we gain eternal life, but by a personal relationship with Jesus. A personal decision must be made. Wearied & sitting, it was the 6th hour: It was noon. Not a time for anyone to be coming to meet any need, yet, there came a woman. There was something very wrong with this picture. Only a shunned woman would come at noon to the well. Someone avoiding all others at all costs. This would be a clue to anyone else…stay away from this one, yet Jesus, came specifically for this shunned woman, compelled for her to the point of His bone weariness. Jesus goes to all lengths to chase us and meet us right in the middle of it all. We can avoid others, but not Jesus. AMEN!
Verse 7b: To draw water: This woman came with an empty water bucket. This woman was a picture of a scarred, empty person. Coming in the cloak of daylight, to avoid being seen, avoid being reminded of who she is. Often it’s when we are completely empty and needy that we find ourselves in the presence of Jesus. Blessed are the poor in spirit. Blessed are those who thirst …
Verse 7c: Jesus said to her, “give Me…”: It’s not about what you do, have done, or where you have been…it’s about who you are. You are God’s handmade creation and you mean everything to Him. Your messy life, bad choices, and even your self righteousness cannot keep Jesus from coming, calling and pleading with you to trust Him with your wounded story. Jesus is not afraid of the baggage we bring to the table. He came for it, oh that you and I would give Him that which He came to take!
Verse 8: Jesus will go to any lengths to get us alone with Him, without distraction.
Verse 9: We are often surprised by the grace of a loving God toward us. Other people, we expect to receive God’s grace and favor…just not me.
Verse 10: One shunned, scarred, shamed, solitary, scandalous person is not too small a multitude for Jesus to be compelled to seek out. We are bid to ask Jesus for His gift just as we are. No cleaning up, no changing life first. Often we are more comfortable holding on to our guilt than His grace. Jesus bidding us to ask Him to change everything! God wants to meet your needs. He died to do it!
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ME NOW? APPLY IT…. TODAY.
Take the lessons you learned and put them into the form of a personal question that you would ask your spouse, or a friend or your son or daughter.
As you write the questions, listen for God to communicate to you through His Word.
*Do not rush. Do not write things down just to have something on paper, this step takes more time that you may think. This is where Scripture meditation becomes real, this is where you begin to hear that still small voice speak to you, and place His finger in your life and begin to direct your paths…. this day, and the next, and the next. Do you trust Him enough to put into place that which He is moving you to?
Verses 3 & 4: Have you thought that you are too incidental a person to grab the attention of God? When has God extended personal grace to you? Are you in need of personal grace at this moment?
Verse 5: Do you realize how dear a personal price God Himself paid for your soul? Have you forgotten that you are precious enough to have been personally purchased by God?
Verses 6 & 7: Have you been religious in your faith, but not personal? Have you been content with knowing about God, “Oh God”, yet haven’t spent the time to know “My God?” Who do you say Jesus is?
Verse 7b: What is in your water pot? Is it full of the world? Empty and wanting? Full of Jesus? Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for Jesus… what/who are you thirsty for? Where has your emptiness led you?
Verse 7c: What baggage do you bring to the well? What baggage are you not quite ready to trust a relentless, compassionate, compelled Savior with?
Verse 8: When has Jesus gone out of His way to get you alone with Him? Why do we tend to avoid being alone with God? Is it is easier to go to church or Bible study with others than it is to be alone, just you and God?
Verse 9: When have you been surprised by the personal gift of God’s grace to you? How is He stirring your heart even now? Have you forgotten the depths of God’s grace that you have received?
Verse 10: Are you willing to ask God for the gift of grace that He extends to you, personally, in the state you are in? Do you realize there is nothing you can ever do to make your scars, wounds and shame more pretty or clean? Are you so thankful for your bruised story and personal scars, because it shows your desperate need for a Savior? Will you hold on to personal guilt or God’s exceptional grace?
LIVE IT OUT!
Hold yourself accountable to LIVE OUT in your daily life that which God impresses upon your heart. Write it out, sign it, date it and claim the transforming power of God’s Word and His presence in your life.
Allow the Word of God to fill you. Allow God’s exceptional grace to cover you today. Give that piece of baggage that you have kept hidden in the closet for years, if He wants it.
Homework: Luke 15:11-32
Get stuck? www.annegrahamlotz.com and Anne will walk through the Three Questions with you and help you along!