Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the third sermon in our series “Promises You Can Count On'‘. This sermon is ‘I Will Satisfy’. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: John 4:4-21

Download the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).

Next Steps this WeekBIBLE READING: John 4:4-21

Now he had to go through Samaria. So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon. When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. ) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.” “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” “Woman,” Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Download in PDF format.

CONNECT: Is there an area of your life in which you doubt God’s provision? What would be helpful in helping you to trust God more in this area?

WARM-UP Question

1. Can you remember a time when you’ve felt completely and utterly satisfied?
2. Where - or in what - do people try and find their satisfaction in? Will these ever ultimately satisfy? What is the main problem with these things?

READ John 4:4-10

1. Do you find it remarkable the fact that Jesus was tired? How can this be comforting or reassuring?
2. What is the significance of the fact that all this occurred about noon? What does this say about the social status or social confidence of the Samaritan woman?
3. Who are the Samaritans and what was their relationship with the Jews like in the first century?
4. Describe what the ‘gift of God’ is as mentioned in verse 10. What does this gift satisfy?
5. How does knowing who Jesus is give us satisfaction? Are we ever at risk of taking Jesus for granted? What patterns in your life can you recognise that could cause you to take your eyes off Jesus?

READ John 4:11-26

1. What does the woman’s response indicate about her understanding of Jesus’ words? In what ways is Jesus greater than Jacob?
2. What is the problem with earthly water? How is the water that Jesus gives us different?
3. What do we have to do to receive this water? How long does this water last?
4. How does this water give us satisfaction? What does this water ultimately give us?
5. Describe what it means to worship in ‘Spirit and in truth’? Do we have to be in the physical building at church to worship Jesus?
6. In what ways does knowing who Jesus is help us worship him? What does the act of worshipping cause us to do?
7. How could you tell a friend or family member about the satisfaction you find in Jesus?

APPLY: Is there an area in your life where you are currently not satisfied? How can knowing Jesus, receiving him, and worshiping him help in this?

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, thank you for the hope and the promise of living water, that all we need to do is ask and we will receive new life. Thank you for the satisfaction that is found in being in relationship with you. We are sorry for the times when we take this for granted and try and find satisfaction in worldly things. Help us to continue to keep our eyes fixed on you and trusting in the sure promise that you will satisfy not just now here on earth but for all eternity. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

GOING DEEPER

On Your Frontline This Week: How do you see God using this season? Share the opportunities and challenges with a friend, and pray together.

For Families: Download some of the family resources to use at home

Listen:

• AUDIO: “The Living Water” by Jon Rumble
• AUDIO: “The Bad Samaritan” by Tad Inboden
• AUDIO: “Pleasing Worship” by William Taylor
• AUDIO: “Come See a Man” by Alistair Begg

Read:

• READ: “Only Christ Can Truly Satisfy”
• READ: “Coping with coronavirus anxiety: Four lessons from Søren Kierkegaard” by Brian Rosner (via the ABC)

WITH CHILDREN

Grow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home.

St Bart’s Kids This Sunday

Families: Read, Learn, Chat, and Pray.

Families: Activity Pack.

High School: CHARGE Discussion Questions.

Bonus: Watch the Kids Talk

Let us know how you are engaging with all the resources by taking a photo, uploading it, and tagging #stbartstoowoomba.