how do you react to this poem about ethnic and cultural differences? in what ways is it similar to the story of the Samaritan woman at the well? in what ways is it different?
the type-scene of a meeting at a well generally results in betrothal (Abraham’s servant & Rebekah, Jacob & Rachel, Moses & Zipporah)--how does betrothal/marriage figure into the present text?
how does the interaction between Jesus the Jew and the Samaritan woman play out? what is your reaction to the positions taken by Jesus and the woman?
in Jn 4:10-15, does the Samaritan woman understand what Jesus is saying? what is Jesus saying?
in Jn 4:16-26, what is the purpose of Jesus’ question and comments about the woman’s husbands? how do you react to the theological discussion concerning the proper place and way to worship, esp. Jesus’ comment “salvation is from the Jews”? is there anything new about Jesus’ claim that true worshipers must worship God in spirit and in truth?
in Jn 5:1-5, 38 years is reminiscent of Israel’s 38 years in the wilderness (Deut 2:14) prior to entering the promised land: is there a connection?
how does the man respond to Jesus’ question? does he want to be healed?
how do you respond to the legalism of the Jewish leaders? is there a place for legalism? is Jesus suggesting that the man was lame because of sin?
why did the man tell the Jewish leaders who Jesus was? is his reporting innocent or ungrateful?
is the Jewish leaders’ problem with Jesus legal or theological? is Jesus really saying he’s equal to God when he calls God his father?
if this discourse (Jn 4) and sign (Jn 5) are read as related units, how are they related? how does this pericope affect the reader’s understanding of “living water”?