CONNECT
1. If new people have joined your group, take time to introduce yourselves to each other.
2. How many of your current neighbors do you know by name?
3. Share a time someone welcomed you into a group or space where you felt like you didn't belong. Name examples of your emotions in that experience.

PRAY
Spend a few minutes quieting your hearts and turning your attention toward God. Allow time for people to voice their prayers (open to anyone who wants to chime in), using these prayer prompts as a guide:

God, I thank You for…
God, we pray for Brookwood that…
God, we pray for our community that…
God, we pray that during our time together You would…

Add your own words of prayer and praise.

Healing the inner world of one person can dramatically shift the entire generational system.
– Dr. Alison Cook

SCRIPTURE MEMORY
Memorizing Scripture enables us to carry within us the life-giving, life-shaping words of God at all times in all places. Here’s a verse to memorize based on this week’s teaching:

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.”
John 4:13-14 (NIV)

STUDY AND DISCUSSION
▶️ Don’t worry about getting to all the questions. That’s not the point. Be thoughtful and prayerful. Let the Holy Spirit guide your reflection and discussion.

▶️ If your group has eight or more people, it might be helpful to break into circles of four or five for greater participation and deeper discussion. When you come back together, invite each group to share a few takeaways from their conversation.

NOTE: We looked at the following passage in the previous series (February 8) from the perspective of worship. This week we’ll take a deeper look at Jesus’ conversation with the woman at the well, reflecting on how He breaks down racial, social and gender barriers. Having this sort of impact is essential as we reach the hurting and lost with the good news of Jesus Christ.

1. Why is it significant that Jesus traveled through Samaria instead of avoiding it?

2. Who initiated the conversation—Jesus or the woman? Why is that significant?

3. Why was she shocked He would talk to her?

4. What barriers were crossed in verses 1–9, and what did Jesus do to break down those barriers?

5. Why do you think Jesus brought up the woman’s personal life?

6. What about Jesus do you think made her stay in conversation with Him (and not walk away)?

7. What does this story teach us about how Jesus views people who are marginalized or socially rejected?

8. When have you stepped over a social barrier in order to develop new friendships?

9. How can we initiate respectful conversations across social or political divides?

10. Who is God leading you to engage with who is different than you?

Jesus deliberately crossed entrenched racial, religious, social, and gender barriers in order to reach the Samaritan woman. Jews and Samaritans shared centuries of hostility, Jewish rabbis typically avoided public conversations with women, and morally compromised individuals were often shunned—yet Jesus intentionally traveled through Samaria and engaged her in meaningful dialogue. This demonstrates the heart of the gospel. Christ seeks the outsider, the marginalized, and the spiritually thirsty, showing that no cultural boundary or personal history places someone beyond the reach of God’s saving grace. – John Stott, summary of selected articles.

THE BIG TAKEAWAY
After this week’s lesson, what’s one thought, question or takeaway you’re sitting with right now? Pause and ask God what He wants you to know or think about. Allow time for Him to speak, being sensitive to thoughts that come to mind. Growing often comes by simply making yourself available to God.

PRAY
Invite someone to close your time in prayer.

App and the Daily Devotional
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.

Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200.

Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.