Jesus and the Samaritan Woman
John 4
Kids Church. May 31, 2020
Volume 7 Jesus the Messiah. Unit 21 Among the People. Session 4
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John 4
Kids Church. May 31, 2020
Volume 7 Jesus the Messiah. Unit 21 Among the People. Session 4
At the time Jesus was on earth, Jews and Samaritans didn’t get along. The strife between the two groups stretched back hundreds of years, to the Babylonian exile.
When the Babylonians attacked Judah, they moved a large group of God’s people away from their homes. But some of the people—the poorest, sickest, least able to work—were left behind in the region that became known as Samaria. The exile lasted 70 years. During that time, those left in Samaria began to mingle with their neighbors to the north. They intermarried and practiced foreign customs. While the Samaritans still believed in God, they adapted foreign beliefs as well.
The Jews who returned home from Babylon to rebuild God’s temple in Jerusalem rejected this new way of life. They were dedicated to obeying and worshiping God, so they didn’t agree with the Samaritans’ practices. The Samaritans opposed the Jews’ efforts to reestablish their nation. In time, the Jews’ hate for the Samaritans grew—so much so that a Jew traveling from Judea to Galilee would take a longer route to travel around Samaria rather than through it.
Jesus broke down barriers when He traveled to Galilee by way of Samaria. Even more surprising, Jesus stopped at a well around noon and asked a Samaritan woman for a drink. Jewish men did not speak to women in public.
But Jesus was kind to her, and He offered her a gift: living water. The woman didn’t understand, but Jesus revealed His knowledge of her past. He even gave her a glimpse of the future. The Samaritan woman expected a Messiah to come and fix everything. Jesus said, “I am He.”
Explain to kids that the living water Jesus offers is the Holy Spirit. (See John 7:37-39.) The Holy Spirit is a gift that He is eager to give us when we ask Him. Those who receive His grace will never be thirsty again.
Christ Connection: Jesus offers something better than physical water; He gives us Himself. Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to everyone who comes to Him by faith. We can worship Him as Lord and Savior wherever we are.
Praise God for His attributes: holiness, greatness, grace, mercy, etc.
Thank God for His goodness, provision, etc.
Ask God for His Holy Spirit to prepare our hearts, minds, and spirits to worship God and learn the lesson He has for us today.
You may ask all the kids to take turn to pray as well.
Share praises from this past week of what you see God's been doing in your lives.
Confessing of our sins. Pray to God for His holiness and purity in our lives.
Share prayer requests with each other. Pray for each other.
Guide your children to open their Bibles to John 4. Explain that Jesus traveled through the land of Samaria on His way to Galilee from Judea. The New Testament Israel Map is below, and point out the land of Judea, the land of Samaria, and the land of Galilee.
LEADER SAY • Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to those who believe.
Choose a child to read aloud John 4:13-14.
(Take your time to ask, ponder and answer the following questions)
Guide kids to recall that Jesus offered living water to the Samaritan woman. The living water Jesus was talking about is the Holy Spirit. Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to those who trust in Him. He saves us from our sins and gives us eternal life.
(Option: Choose a volunteer to read John 7:37-39.)
Why is sharing your testimony important? Help kids recognize the power of the Samaritan woman’s testimony. She told others in her town what Jesus had done, and they believed in Him. Emphasize that everyone can tell others what God has done in his or her life. Jesus calls us to build relationships with others and tell them the good news of the gospel.
(Option: Choose a kid to read 1 John 4:13-15.)
Allow kids to share their ideas for practically serving others. Suggest kids paint one fingernail a bright color, wear their watch upside-down, apply a sticker to a place they’ll see frequently (such as the toe of a shoe). When kids see the paint, watch, or sticker, they can remember to live with an others-first attitude.
(Option: Choose a volunteer to read 1 John 4:11.)
v.1 Lift high the name of Jesus, Of Jesus our King. Make known the power of His grace, The beauty of His peace.
Remember how His mercy reached And we cried out to Him. He lifted us to solid ground, To freedom from our sin.
Chorus
Oh sing my soul, And tell all He’s done, Till the earth and heavens are filled with His glory!
v.2 Lift high the name of Jesus, Of Jesus our Lord. His power in us is greater than, Is greater than this world.
To share the reason for our hope, To serve with love and grace, That all who see Him shine through us Might bring the Father praise.
Chorus
Oh sing my soul, And tell all He’s done, Till the earth and heavens are filled with His glory!
v.3 Lift high the name of Jesus, Of Jesus our Light. No other name on earth can save, Can raise a soul to life.
He opens up our eyes to see The harvest He has grown. We labor in His fields of grace As He leads sinners home.
Chorus
Oh sing my soul, And tell all He’s done, Till the earth and heavens are filled with His glory!
Praise and thanksgiving to God that His Son was born to save and redeem us.
Protection from the COVID-19.
Productive at home this week.
For others who are sick.
Wisdom for government officials and President Trump and VP Pence.
Wisdom for church leaders.