Magnified! Session 3: God Loves Me
60-Minute Youth Teaching Timer
VBS Schedule Reminder: Youth Bible time is 7:30-8:30. After Bible/Clean Up at 8:30, everyone returns to the Worship Rally at 8:45.
60-Minute Flow: Introduction 8 minutes, God's Love Pursues the Unlikely 14 minutes, God's Love Reaches Beyond Our Sin 16 minutes, God's Love Transforms and Sends 14 minutes, Gospel Focus 6 minutes, Challenge and Prayer 2 minutes.
60-Minute Flow: Introduction 8 minutes, God's Love Pursues the Unlikely 14 minutes, God's Love Reaches Beyond Our Sin 16 minutes, God's Love Transforms and Sends 14 minutes, Gospel Focus 6 minutes, Challenge and Prayer 2 minutes.
00:00 - 08:00 ↓
Introduction: Jesus Must Needs Go
Suggested pace: Opening questions 3:00, introduction verse 2:00, Samaria context 2:00, transition 1:00.
Opening Questions
- Have you ever felt left out?
- Have you ever felt judged before someone really knew you?
- Have you ever assumed someone would not want anything to do with you?
Introduction Thought
Today we meet a woman who likely felt all of those things. Yet Jesus intentionally sought her out.
Introduction Verse
John 4:4 And he must needs go through Samaria.
Most Jews went around Samaria. Jesus went through Samaria. Why? Because there was a woman there who needed Him.
Transition: Jesus did not stumble into this conversation by accident. God's love was pursuing someone many others would have avoided.
08:00 - 22:00 ↓
I. God's Love Pursues the Unlikely
Suggested pace: Main text 2:00, subpoint A 4:00, subpoint B 4:00, subpoint C 3:00, transition 1:00.
Main Text
John 4:7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink.
Key Thought
The love of God is not passive. Jesus came to the place where this woman was, started the conversation, and opened the door for grace.
A. Jesus crossed boundaries to reach her.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Religion built walls. Jesus built bridges. He crossed the racial, religious, cultural, and personal barriers others used as reasons to stay away.
Ask Here
- Why was it unusual for Jesus to speak to this woman?
- What barriers existed between Jews and Samaritans?
B. Jesus saw a soul, not a label.
Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.
The world saw a Samaritan. Others may have seen a woman with a past. Jesus saw someone created in God's image and worth reaching with truth and grace.
Ask Here
- How do people usually judge others?
- What labels do teenagers often put on one another?
C. Jesus knew her before she knew Him.
Psalm 139:1 O LORD, thou hast searched me, and known me.
Nothing about us is hidden from God. Yet He still pursues us. That means His love is not based on Him being unaware of our need.
Ask Here
- Does it surprise you that God knows everything about you?
- Is that comforting or frightening? Why?
Transition: The woman expected a conversation about water. Jesus was about to expose a much deeper thirst.
22:00 - 38:00 ↓
II. God's Love Reaches Beyond Our Sin
Suggested pace: Main text 2:00, subpoint A 4:00, subpoint B 5:00, subpoint C 4:00, transition 1:00.
Main Text
John 4:14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
Key Thought
Jesus did not ignore her sin, but He also did not reduce her to her sin. He offered living water for a thirsty soul.
A. Earthly wells never fully satisfy.
Isaiah 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.
Everything this world offers eventually leaves us thirsty again. Jesus alone satisfies the soul.
Ask Here
- What do people chase hoping it will satisfy them?
- Why do those things never fully satisfy?
B. Jesus confronted her sin.
John 4:17-18 The woman answered and said, I have no husband. Jesus said unto her, Thou hast well said, I have no husband: For thou hast had five husbands; and he whom thou now hast is not thy husband: in that saidst thou truly.
Hebrews 4:13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Jesus was not exposing her to condemn her. Jesus was exposing her so He could save her.
Ask Here
- Why do people try to hide sin?
- Why did Jesus bring up her past?
C. Jesus loved her anyway.
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Jesus did not wait for us to become lovable. He loved us first, and He proved that love at the cross.
Ask Here
- What does “while we were yet sinners” mean?
- Why is that such good news?
Transition: The woman discovered that Jesus knew everything about her. Now she must decide what to do with that truth.
38:00 - 52:00 ↓
III. God's Love Transforms and Sends
Suggested pace: Main text 2:00, subpoint A 4:00, subpoint B 4:00, subpoint C 3:00, transition 1:00.
Main Text
John 4:26 Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he.
Key Thought
The conversation did not end with exposure. It led to revelation, transformation, and testimony.
A. She recognized who Jesus really is.
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Everything changes when we recognize Jesus as the Messiah. He is not merely religious help. He is the Christ, the Son of God.
Ask Here
- Why is it important to know who Jesus really is?
- What happens when we misunderstand who Jesus is?
B. She left her waterpot behind.
John 4:28 The woman then left her waterpot, and went her way into the city, and saith to the men,
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
When Jesus changes us, our priorities begin to change. The thing she came carrying mattered less than the message she left with.
Ask Here
- Why do you think she left the waterpot?
- What became more important than water?
C. She became a witness.
John 4:29 Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?
Mark 5:19 Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.
A genuine encounter with Christ produces a testimony. She could not keep quiet about the One who knew her fully and loved her anyway.
Ask Here
- Why could she not keep quiet?
- What should make us want to tell others about Jesus?
Transition: Her story is not just a story about one woman at one well. It shows us the heart of the gospel.
52:00 - 58:00 ↓
Gospel Focus: The Heart of the Story
Suggested pace: Heart of the story 1:00, gospel verses 3:00, gospel questions 2:00.
The Heart of the Story
This woman was guilty, broken, ashamed, and searching. Yet Jesus came looking for her. That is exactly what He has done for us.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
Ephesians 2:4-5 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Gospel Questions
- Why did Jesus come?
- Who did Jesus come for?
- Have you personally trusted Christ?
58:00 - 60:00 ↓
Challenge and Prayer
Suggested pace: Closing verse and challenge 1:15, closing thought and prayer 0:45.
Closing Verse
1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.
Final Challenge
- Do you believe God truly loves you?
- Are you still trying to satisfy your soul with things that cannot satisfy?
- Who needs to hear your testimony this week?
Closing Thought
The woman came to the well carrying shame. She left carrying a testimony. Why? Because she discovered that Jesus knew everything about her and loved her anyway.
Prayer Direction
Thank God for His love, His mercy, His grace, and His willingness to save sinners and use them for His glory.
