Equipped 2024 - 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

Victim – Inaction has perished Jn 4:28-30

Investigation – Jn 4 – Crime scene investigation is underway

Suspect – Jn4:39-42 – a living faith is the most likely suspect

Faith and Inaction do not work together

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 – 6th 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

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.

Have and open heart – hear

Crave salvation

Let go of the world (the old water pot)

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