1. WHAT MAKES TALKING ABOUT FAITH HARD?

• When was the last time you had a conversation about faith with someone who doesn't follow Jesus?
• What made the conversation easy or difficult?
• What makes talking about Jesus feel risky?
• What are you personally most afraid might happen if you talked openly about Jesus with someone who doesn't share your faith?

2. READ JOHN 4:27–30
The woman has just had an extraordinary conversation with Jesus. He knows her story, speaks into the deeper places of her life and then reveals himself to her as the Messiah. And then she does something remarkably simple. She goes back to her community.

DISCUSS

• What do you notice about the way the woman talks about Jesus?
• What doesn't she do?
• Why do you think personal testimony can sometimes be more powerful than trying to win an argument?
• What is the difference between telling someone what they should believe and telling them what you have discovered about Jesus?

PERSONAL REFLECTION
If someone asked you: “Why do you follow Jesus?” What would you say?

3. READ JOHN 4:31–38
While the woman is talking to the town, Jesus is talking to his disciples. He tells them: “Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.” The disciples can see a Samaritan town. Jesus sees people whom God is already drawing towards himself

DISCUSS

• What might Jesus be trying to teach his disciples here?
• What might it mean for us to “open our eyes” to people around us?
• Have you ever discovered that someone was much more open to talking about faith than you expected?
• How would our conversations change if we believed God was already at work before we arrived?

4. READ JOHN 4:39–42
DISCUSS
According to verses 39–42, what part does the woman's testimony play?

• What happens that is beyond her control?
• What does this teach us about our responsibility when we talk to someone about Jesus?

Discuss this statement:
“Success isn't whether someone becomes a Christian at the end of the conversation. Success might be faithfully having the conversation.” Do you agree? Why or why not?

5 COURAGEOUS CHALLENGE
Think of one person. Ask yourself: Who might Jesus be inviting me to have a courageous conversation with?
Then consider: What could your next step be?
It might be:
PRAY - Begin regularly praying for them.
ASK - Ask a question that opens a deeper conversation.
SHARE -Tell them something about what Jesus has meant in your own life.
INVITE -Invite them to church, Alpha, Life to Share, Christmas at New Community, or another place where they can explore faith.