Women: "The Woman of Samaria" by Lori Boyd

April 19, 2024 - Friday 1:30PM MPR 1 Speaker

 

Speaker: Lori Boyd

 

The Case of Jesus and the Woman of Samaria : “The Death of Inaction”

Definition of Forensic Science and Steps in Analyzing a Crime

1. Victim – Inaction has perished Jn 4:28-30
2. Investigation – Jn 4 – Crime scene investigation is underway
3. Suspect – Jn4:39-42 – a living faith is the most likely suspect
   1. Faith and Inaction do not work together
4. Verdict – TBD

 

• The Victim – confirmed that Inaction is gone
  • Jn 4:7 is where we begin with all kinds of “action” taking place. Additional ample action is seen in Jn 4: 28-30
  •  
• The Investigation
  • Jn 4 is the scene of the “crime”
  • 7 Steps of CSI
    • Secure the Scene – Jn 4:1-42
      • In Samaria at the well
      • Sychar – where the woman returns to
    • Separate the witnesses
      • Jesus  The Woman  The Disciples  The Townspeople
    • Scan the Scene
      • What is “odd” or what stands out
      • Odd – A Jew speaking to a woman/Samaritan
      • Odd – 6^th hour of the day – odd time to go to draw water
      • Stands out – no one else present
      • Stands out – she leaves her water pot
    • See the scene
      • Conversation begins in Jn 4:7
      • Conversation ends Jn 4:26
      • Water Pot 4:28 woman leaves it behind
    • Sketch the Scene
      • Scene sketches allow a wider perspective
      • Give a birds eye view of the scene in question
      • (Looking down over)
      • Indicate direction
      • Typically a key and scale are included
      • In our example --- Show where things are in reference to each other and keep things in the proper reference related to CONTEXT
      • *Sketching Jn 4
        • Right before Jesus meets with Nicodemus
        • Right after Jesus will heal the nobleman’s son in Ch 5
        • The Whole Book of Jn – Must believe to have eternal life
        • The Bible (bigger picture/scene) -God’s love for mankind and the redemption he promised through Jesus
    • Searching the Scene – a closer look at the conversation
      • V4-9 – the request for water
      • V10-12 – the offer of living water
      • V13-15 – description of living water
      • V16-17 – the call for the husband
      • V18-20 -  truth exposed
      • V21-26 – true worship is defined and Jesus reveals  His Identity
      • ***Remember your goal ----- What happened to Inaction
    • Secure and Collect Evidence
      • Conversational Exchanges
        • Question
        • Challenge
        • Misunderstanding
        • Withholding
        • Diversion
        • Deferral and Conviction

• The Suspect
  • A living faith – Jn 4:39-42
  • Evidence shows faith was involved as shown through
    • Action, urgency, testimony, invitation, belief, hope
• Verdict
  • What does it mean, what do we say about faith?
  • Faith acted in self defense
  • Inaction is a direct threat to faith
  • There was no crime --- Faith’s action saved many 

Debriefing

Everyone deserves to her the truth and receive offer of living water

A simple conversation can open the biggest doors

Road to faith is not always smooth – see Conversation Exchanges

 

5 Lessons

1. You have to stay close to Jesus on your faith journey. The woman did not leave when she was questioned or had questions. She endured the conversation.
2. Have and open heart – hear
3. Crave salvation
4. Let go of the world (the old water pot)
5. When you’re in BE ALL IN

 

Sometimes when we examine John 4 we get caught up in details about her and her character while not seeing the big picture – Jesus was giving hope. She was smart, curious, and bold while also being broken and lost. She stayed close and she listened.  Live a life of faith that is intentional, active, and life changing when shared. Kill your inaction.

 

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5aYTa0a0Cg

 

Duration 40:37