Faith Promise - What's Next - Day 04
Day 04 - Thursday, November
Read John 4:1-45
Highlight
The story of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman is a beautiful picture of someone being fully known and yet fully loved by Jesus. Clearly the miracle of both Jesus’ knowledge and grace changed this woman’s life. There are many interesting aspects to this story, but today we will focus on the actions of the woman after meeting Jesus. The woman was collecting water during the “sixth hour,” which was noon by first century counting. This was not a common time to collect water, which is the hint that she is trying to avoid the people in her town by choosing the least populated time to collect water. Yet after meeting Jesus, the person who once avoided her neighbors now seeks them out. And the progression is worth noting. First, she invites them to come and see him for themselves. But she gives context for the invitation by explaining Jesus’ affect on her own life. Her neighbors, seeing the change in her and hearing her story, then go themselves and develop a faith in Jesus based off of their own experience. The Samaritan woman’s approach is something we should consider ourselves: combine our own testimony with an invite to ‘come and see.’
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read John 4:1-45
Highlight
The story of Jesus and the Samaritan Woman is a beautiful picture of someone being fully known and yet fully loved by Jesus. Clearly the miracle of both Jesus’ knowledge and grace changed this woman’s life. There are many interesting aspects to this story, but today we will focus on the actions of the woman after meeting Jesus. The woman was collecting water during the “sixth hour,” which was noon by first century counting. This was not a common time to collect water, which is the hint that she is trying to avoid the people in her town by choosing the least populated time to collect water. Yet after meeting Jesus, the person who once avoided her neighbors now seeks them out. And the progression is worth noting. First, she invites them to come and see him for themselves. But she gives context for the invitation by explaining Jesus’ affect on her own life. Her neighbors, seeing the change in her and hearing her story, then go themselves and develop a faith in Jesus based off of their own experience. The Samaritan woman’s approach is something we should consider ourselves: combine our own testimony with an invite to ‘come and see.’
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)