John 4:1-15

FIVE PRINCIPLES FOR SPIRITUAL CONVERSATIONS

TRANSITION:

“From Jesus’ conversation with the Samaritan woman, I want to give you five practical principles that you can use THIS WEEK

PRINCIPLE #1: START WHERE THEY ARE

“Notice how Jesus begins. He doesn’t launch into a sermon. He doesn’t hand her a tract. He asks for a drink of water!

John 4:7 

Jesus started with something natural, something she could relate to. He met her at her point of need—she had water, He was thirsty.

Start conversations where people already are. Talk about their job, their family, their struggles, their interests. Find common ground.

1 Corinthians 9:22

Don’t be weird. Don’t be pushy. Just be HUMAN. Build a bridge through genuine interest and conversation.”

“Ask questions! People love talking about themselves. ‘

• How’s your family?’ 
• ‘What do you do for work?’ 
• How were you raised spiritually 
• ‘How are you handling all the stress in the world right now?’

PRINCIPLE #2: CREATE CURIOSITY

“Once Jesus has her attention, watch what He does:

John 4:10

He didn’t force the conversation. He INTRIGUED her. He made her curious. She had to ask, ‘What are you talking about? What is this living water?’

• You don’t have to explain the entire gospel in 30 seconds. You don’t have to argue or debate. Just create curiosity.
• Share your story in a way that makes people want to know more.
• Tell story about Charlene 

1 Peter 3:15

Did you catch that? WHEN they ask. Create curiosity, and they’ll ASK!”

PRINCIPLE #3: GO FROM PHYSICAL TO SPIRITUAL

Jesus is a master at this. He takes something physical—water—and turns it into something spiritual.

John 4:13-14 

He’s saying, ‘You’re focused on physical water, but I’m offering you something that satisfies your SOUL.’

• Listen for spiritual hunger underneath physical conversations.
• Someone says, ‘I’m so stressed at work.’ → You can say, ‘I used to feel that way until I found peace in my relationship with God.’
• Someone says, ‘I’m so lonely.’ → You can say, ‘I’ve learned that only God can fill that hole in our hearts.’
• Someone says, ‘I feel like my life has no purpose.’ → You can say, ‘That’s exactly how I felt before I discovered God’s plan for my life.’
• Every physical need points to a deeper spiritual need. Jesus knew that. And He gently moved the conversation from surface level to soul level.”

PRINCIPLE #4: BE HONEST ABOUT SIN—BUT WITH COMPASSION

• “This is where a lot of Christians mess up. We either avoid talking about sin altogether, or we come across as judgmental and harsh.
• Talk about your struggle with sin… Some of the peace and victory you have seen.

"Your mess can become your message, and your test can become your testimony."

Watch how Jesus handles it:

John 4:16-18

Jesus is DIRECT. He doesn’t sugarcoat her sin. But notice His tone—He’s not condemning her. He’s revealing her need for a Savior.

• Don’t avoid talking about sin, but speak the truth in LOVE.
• Ephesians 4:15
• “Here’s the secret: Jesus didn’t bring up her sin to SHAME her—He brought it up to SHOW her she needed the living water only HE could provide.
• When you talk about sin, always point to the SOLUTION: Jesus.”

PRINCIPLE #5: MAKE IT PERSONAL—REVEAL JESUS

• “The woman keeps trying to make the conversation theoretical. She wants to debate theology and argue about where to worship.
• But Jesus brings it back to HIM:

John 4:25-26

Boom. There it is. ‘I’m the one you’re looking for. I’m the answer to your search.’

• At some point in the conversation, you have to make it about JESUS.
• Not religion. Not church. Not rules. JESUS.

Acts 4:12 

“Your testimony is powerful. Tell them what Jesus has done in YOUR life. Not in a preachy way, but in a personal, authentic way.

‘Let me tell you how Jesus gave me purpose when I felt worthless.’

‘Let me tell you how Jesus forgave me when I thought I was too far gone.’

Revelation 12:11 says we overcome ‘by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of [our] testimony.’”