Daily Readings (Page 199)

What is the connection between love and spiritual gifts?  How is the importance of this connection seen particularly in the gifts of prophecy and also tongues?

This passage describes a very spiritually gifted believer all churches would like to have.  What is more precious than his abilities? Why?

What is Jesus trying to teach this woman in this section about worship places?  Why did He stress that worship must be carried out “in spirit and in truth.” Notice that i) He reveals His identity to her in 4:26 and also ii) the woman’s invitation to her townspeople in v28.  What does this tell us about her understanding of Jesus?”

Notice how Jesus does not challenge her when she denies having a husband.  Instead He agrees with her.  Why do you think He does this?  Notice how after Jesus refers to her “five husbands” she changes the subject to religion!  Do you think this sort of avoidance strategy still happens today?  What would you do if you were to encounter it?

The woman refers to the long tradition of enmity between Jews and Samaritans.  Probably the woman is also thinking about Jesus becoming ceremonially unclean as He uses a drinking vessel handed to her by an “unclean Samaritan”.  Does this bother Jesus?  Why?

The verse says His disciples went to buy food to eat, but Jesus had other ideas. What was his purpose in sitting by the well and asking a Samaritan woman for a drink.  Is there anything we can learn here about priorities?

The verse mentions Jesus being tired.  What does this tell us about his humanity?  How does that instruct us in our outreach?

This meeting between Jesus and the woman of Samaria seems a random one – or is it?  Notice how Jesus suddenly speaks of her “husband” (v16). What is He up to?

Look at the various conditions found in each church: what steps can be taken to restore the weak or fallen ones to Christ? How would you describe ORPC, and what can be done to deal with anything which Christ might find wanting?

What do you think are the worst sins/weaknesses of the 7 churches, and how did Jesus treat such churches? What has God taught you about being an overcomer?