Encounter at the Well
Based on Gospel of John Chapter 4
This Wednesday, we had a great time studying the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman, focusing on grace, identity, and transformation.
We started our study with a warm-up game using Wordwall, where we recalled events that are found specifically in the Gospel of John. It was a fun way to review key stories and help everyone remember how unique this Gospel is in presenting Jesus’ identity and ministry.
Right after the game, we compared John chapter 3 and John chapter 4. In chapter 3, Jesus meets Nicodemus, a religious leader who came to Jesus at night, representing religious authority, knowledge, and social status. In contrast, in chapter 4, Jesus meets a Samaritan woman during the day, representing social exclusion and marginalization. Nicodemus comes privately, while the Samaritan woman meets Jesus in public space at the well. These two encounters show that Jesus is for everyone — religious and non-religious, respected and excluded, powerful and vulnerable.
We then moved into the story of Jesus’ encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well. In this passage, Jesus travels through Samaria and stops at Jacob’s well. He is tired and thirsty, which reminds us that Jesus was fully human. At the same time, He was intentionally stepping into spaces that society would normally avoid.
In that culture, Jews and Samaritans had long-standing conflicts, and rabbis usually avoided public conversations with women. Yet Jesus intentionally crosses these social and cultural barriers to offer grace and relationship.
During our study, we discussed how the woman’s vision of Jesus changes progressively throughout the conversation. At first, she sees Him simply as:
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A Jew — recognizing the cultural and ethnic difference.
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Then as a Prophet — after Jesus reveals knowledge about her life.
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Finally, she recognizes Him as the Messiah — the Savior, the “I Am.”
This gradual revelation is powerful because it shows how faith can grow step by step as people encounter Jesus personally.
Jesus then speaks about living water, shifting the conversation from physical thirst to spiritual transformation. The woman initially thinks in practical, physical terms, but Jesus is speaking about eternal life, grace, and new identity.
One of the most symbolic moments is when the woman leaves her water jar behind. This represents leaving behind shame, old identities, and past burdens. She then goes back to her community as a witness to what Jesus had done in her life.
Key Takeaways
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Jesus meets us in ordinary places.
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God’s grace comes before transformation.
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Our understanding of Jesus often grows progressively through relationship.
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Our identity is shaped by who Jesus is.
We are reminded to love boldly, cross boundaries with compassion, and live as children of God through Christ.
Join us next Wednesday as we continue growing together in faith!
Link for the word wall game: https://wordwall.net/resource/67554410/gospel-of-john-jesus-events-matching
Rev. Marvel Souza
