The 5th Mark, Study 3: Extending Jesus' Friendship to Everyone

For Sunday Nov 16th, 2008

1) During the last week, did you extend a friendly hand to someone you normally don't?
If so, please describe what happened, both good and bad.
[Note: Invite them to be truly honest about any bad aspects and block out all judgements about what they felt was bad.]

2) When someone you don't normally associate with approaches you, how do you react? (Friendly? Hesitant? Anxious?) Why do you think you react this way? [Note: Again, invite them to be honest. And help them to explore how they feel.]

[Note: Before starting this next reading, hand out paper and pens. In addition, the leader should read this story.]
3) Close your eyes, and imagine yourself in the Samaritan woman's place.
Read: John 4:5-9

and on his way he came to the town of Sychar. It was near the field that Jacob had long ago given to his son Joseph. The well that Jacob had dug was still there, and Jesus sat down beside it because he was tired from traveling. It was noon, and after Jesus' disciples had gone into town to buy some food, a Samaritan woman came to draw water from the well.
Jesus asked her, "Would you please give me a drink of water?"
"You are a Jew," she replied, "and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink of water when Jews and Samaritans won't have anything to do with each other?"

Without discussing it with each other, write down how you imagine the Samaritan woman regards Jesus initially at this point. [Note: Give them 30 seconds or so, then continue.]
Read: John 4:10-20

Jesus answered, "You don't know what God wants to give you, and you don't know who is asking you for a drink. If you did, you would ask me for the water that gives life."
"Sir," the woman said, "you don't even have a bucket, and the well is deep. Where are you going to get this life-giving water? Our ancestor Jacob dug this well for us, and his family and animals got water from it. Are you greater than Jacob?"
Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again. But no one who drinks the water I give will ever be thirsty again. The water I give is like a flowing fountain that gives eternal life."
The woman replied, "Sir, please give me a drink of that water! Then I won't get thirsty and have to come to this well again."
Jesus told her, "Go and bring your husband."
The woman answered, "I don't have a husband."
"That's right," Jesus replied, "you're telling the truth. You don't have a husband. You have already been married five times, and the man you are now living with isn't your husband."
The woman said, "Sir, I can see that you are a prophet. My ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews say Jerusalem is the only place to worship."

Now write down how you imagine she regards Jesus.
Read: John 4:21-26

Jesus said to her: Believe me, the time is coming when you won't worship the Father either on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans don't really know the one you worship. But we Jews do know the God we worship, and by using us, God will save the world. But a time is coming, and it is already here! Even now the true worshipers are being led by the Spirit to worship the Father according to the truth. These are the ones the Father is seeking to worship him. God is Spirit, and those who worship God must be led by the Spirit to worship him according to the truth.
The woman said, "I know that the Messiah will come. He is the one we call Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us."
"I am that one," Jesus told her, "and I am speaking to you now."

Again, write down how you imagine she regards Jesus.
Share your results with each other. What do you notice about each others impressions?
[Note: Ideally, they should note that the woman's regard for Jesus changes throughout the story as she gets to know him. This is an important bridge to the next reading.]
Have you ever met someone that you did not like at first, but after you got to know them better, you began to understand them and like them? [Note: Encourage them to describe this change in perspective.]
[Bible note: The Samaritan woman was a widow and would have been an outcast. Being a Samaritan also made her "second class" in the eyes of Jews.]

4) Read Matthew 5:43-48

You have heard people say, "Love your neighbors and hate your enemies." But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for that? Even tax collectors love their friends. If you greet only your friends, what's so great about that? Don't even unbelievers do that? But you must always act like your Father in heaven.

Loving your enemies and praying for them is not an easy thing to ask. Why does Jesus call us to do more than just love our friends? [Note: There's no right answer here. Encourage them to explore (or even suggest) several possible reasons such as "to foster peace on earth", "to recognize Christ in each other", or "to help us grow into better people".]

5) Take a moment to think of someone who is your "enemy" or that you really don't get along well with. Write down that person's name on your paper. [Note: Pause at this point to let them write it down.]
During this week, carry this piece of paper with you. When you notice the paper, say a quick prayer for that person and for yourself.