Last Friday night, the topic we discussed at my Encounter Singles group was on your "thirst," the longings and desires of your heart. I will only highlight what I learned. There were many other questions, comments, and thoughts discussed that night. If you like to dive more into this topic, you will have to be part of a small group Bible studies or on your alone time with Bible study.
Warm up question:
List the top three area where you tend to "thirst." What are the longing of your heart?
I'll share one area from what I was thirsting for in the past. In my adolescence, I was so lonely. I didn't have close friends. I thirst for close friendships. I will return to this later.
The Bible story we focused on was between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. Read John 4:3-26.
Warm up question:
List the top three area where you tend to "thirst." What are the longing of your heart?
I'll share one area from what I was thirsting for in the past. In my adolescence, I was so lonely. I didn't have close friends. I thirst for close friendships. I will return to this later.
The Bible story we focused on was between Jesus and the Samaritan woman. Read John 4:3-26.
Now he had to go through Samaria.
~John 4:3
Why did Jesus have to go through Samaria to get to his next destination? Back in Jesus time, there was bad blood between Samaritans and Jews. They hated each other and they fought what was true about God and how to follow Yahweh. There were other factors probably but you will have to research that on your own.
The Jews who travel to Galilee would go around Samaria and refused to touch their land. Jesus broke that rule on how to travel. For he was called to have an encounter with someone who needed to know the truth and learn about the everlasting water that quench one's thirst forever.
The Jews who travel to Galilee would go around Samaria and refused to touch their land. Jesus broke that rule on how to travel. For he was called to have an encounter with someone who needed to know the truth and learn about the everlasting water that quench one's thirst forever.
5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob’s well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the journey, sat down by the well. It was about noon.
7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?" 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)
Why was a lone Samaritan woman go to the well at the hottest part of the day? Where was the other women?
Back then, it was improper for an unmarried man to speak to any women especially of those of a bad reputation. Read further in the scriptures and you find out that she was married five times and at this point, she was living with a man that wasn't her husband. Back then, it wasn't okay so no one wanted to be around her. Therefore she was an outcast, she had to go to the well by herself with no other people around.
Anyway, if you know anything about Jesus, he has broken many cultural practices in his time of ministry. From verses 7-26, this is the longest conversation that Jesus had with anyone recorded. I find it's fascinating that Jesus has the longest conversation with a woman that ended up in the Bible. God has ordained this encounter and this needed to be recorded so we can learn about Jesus' role in God's plan. Isn't it amazing that Jesus spoke to a foreigner who was a Samaritan (culturally they don't mix with the Jews) woman? This is one story on how Jesus was so compassionate toward a woman. There were others in the New Testament.
What is the main point of this story? Hint: Re-read verse 10-13.
What "thirst" do you have? With what or whom have you tried to satisfy your thirst? Going back to my example, I did thirst for close friendships. I didn't go to Jesus to satisfy this thirst at first. For years in my adolescence, I went to books to try to quench it. At the highest points, I read at least twenty books a week. In those fictional worlds, I had dear "best" friends that I chose to have in my family for they were like my "sisters." Over time, I realized that this substitute didn't really quench that thirst, it made it worst. Only when I dedicated my life to Jesus at age 18, I started to see some lies and how I respond was not healthy to my well-being. Those "sins" and improper ways to fill that longing really was detrimental to my spiritual health. It's also a factor in creating a wall that I couldn't let people into my heart. From there, I started to seriously work on my relationship with Jesus. In college, I joined a fellowship with other young believers who supported my spiritual walk. With a lot of hard work and trusting in my God, he provided me a few close friends. They are the human touch of my heavenly Father's love for me. He even gave me dear sisters in Christ who encouraged me in my walk with God. I feel so loved to know people who encourage and pray over me. God is so good.
Why do people strive to fulfill their thirst for God with other things?
In the group, we summarized it as humans we focus more on ourselves and believe in the lie that we're not good enough and we have to EARN what is good. What are the reasons do you think you strive to fulfill your thirst with other things?
Reflection Questions:
That Samaritan woman had a defining moment when she encountered Jesus at the well for she didn't expect to meet anyone. She had hope in her life for the first time when Jesus told her the truth. She truly felt real love for the first time. Please continue to read on verses 27-42 in how she responded after that encounter. Remember, the defining moment is to know God loves you right now (without expecting anything from you), no matter what.
It's okay to struggle with your faith because it helps you to accept the truth. You're not alone. As you wrestle in your disbelief about one of God's promises, ask the Holy Spirit to help you see the truth and be closer to God. Jesus has sent us the Spirit to help us in whatever we're going through before he ascended to heaven.
Back then, it was improper for an unmarried man to speak to any women especially of those of a bad reputation. Read further in the scriptures and you find out that she was married five times and at this point, she was living with a man that wasn't her husband. Back then, it wasn't okay so no one wanted to be around her. Therefore she was an outcast, she had to go to the well by herself with no other people around.
Anyway, if you know anything about Jesus, he has broken many cultural practices in his time of ministry. From verses 7-26, this is the longest conversation that Jesus had with anyone recorded. I find it's fascinating that Jesus has the longest conversation with a woman that ended up in the Bible. God has ordained this encounter and this needed to be recorded so we can learn about Jesus' role in God's plan. Isn't it amazing that Jesus spoke to a foreigner who was a Samaritan (culturally they don't mix with the Jews) woman? This is one story on how Jesus was so compassionate toward a woman. There were others in the New Testament.
What is the main point of this story? Hint: Re-read verse 10-13.
What "thirst" do you have? With what or whom have you tried to satisfy your thirst? Going back to my example, I did thirst for close friendships. I didn't go to Jesus to satisfy this thirst at first. For years in my adolescence, I went to books to try to quench it. At the highest points, I read at least twenty books a week. In those fictional worlds, I had dear "best" friends that I chose to have in my family for they were like my "sisters." Over time, I realized that this substitute didn't really quench that thirst, it made it worst. Only when I dedicated my life to Jesus at age 18, I started to see some lies and how I respond was not healthy to my well-being. Those "sins" and improper ways to fill that longing really was detrimental to my spiritual health. It's also a factor in creating a wall that I couldn't let people into my heart. From there, I started to seriously work on my relationship with Jesus. In college, I joined a fellowship with other young believers who supported my spiritual walk. With a lot of hard work and trusting in my God, he provided me a few close friends. They are the human touch of my heavenly Father's love for me. He even gave me dear sisters in Christ who encouraged me in my walk with God. I feel so loved to know people who encourage and pray over me. God is so good.
Why do people strive to fulfill their thirst for God with other things?
In the group, we summarized it as humans we focus more on ourselves and believe in the lie that we're not good enough and we have to EARN what is good. What are the reasons do you think you strive to fulfill your thirst with other things?
Reflection Questions:
- Do you believe that through Jesus your thirst can be quenched? Can you count on Him to meet all your needs?
- In light of this, what will change in how you seek to satisfy these needs?
- Do you fill valued by God in spite of the mistakes you've made? (Hint: Use this verse from Romans 5:8 to help you answer this. Psalm 139 too.)
That Samaritan woman had a defining moment when she encountered Jesus at the well for she didn't expect to meet anyone. She had hope in her life for the first time when Jesus told her the truth. She truly felt real love for the first time. Please continue to read on verses 27-42 in how she responded after that encounter. Remember, the defining moment is to know God loves you right now (without expecting anything from you), no matter what.
It's okay to struggle with your faith because it helps you to accept the truth. You're not alone. As you wrestle in your disbelief about one of God's promises, ask the Holy Spirit to help you see the truth and be closer to God. Jesus has sent us the Spirit to help us in whatever we're going through before he ascended to heaven.
13 Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, 14 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