October 23 Discussion Questions

Many times in trying to see beyond church walls, the hardest walls to see beyond are the ones we have constructed for ourselves. This week, be aware of the walls that might be present in your life. Who is it around you that you have separated yourself from? Why? Who might be hard for you to minister to?

Take a moment and read John chapter 4.

1. What are the prejudices present in the background of this story?

2. What are some of the prejudices at work in your own life?

3. Does Jesus shy away from being honest with this woman? Is he rude to her?

4. What kind of woman would we, as modern Christians, consider the Samaritan woman?

5. Do you think she would have been seen in a better light in Jesus’ time?

6. How does the woman respond to Jesus?

7. As we try to “see beyond church walls” how can we be sure to at least be aware of our prejudices?

8. How might we begin to put those prejudices aside?