Take-Home Questions
The writer of the Gospel of John concludes his account in John 20:31 (NIV), “But these
are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by
believing you may have life in his name.” The story of the encounter between Jesus and
the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 is contrasted to the encounter between
Jesus and Nicodemus in John 3. Both chapters offer many lessons, including the value
of wonder, dialogue, and belief in relationships, a sense of Jesus’ divinity, humanity and
mission, and the transformative power of purpose.
Is it helpful for you to read about people in the Bible? Can you identify with any of
them? If so, how? If not, why?
Do you identify with the Samaritan woman at the well and if so, how?
What attributes do you see in her?
What short-comings do you see in her?
Why do you think that the Sychar community, who may have marginalized the woman
at the well, was later motivated to listen to her words to “Come and see”?
Do you identify with another Biblical character and if so, how?
The woman at the well left behind her bucket because she had been filled with a new
purpose. What might you desire to leave behind today to foster your own calling or
purpose?
