The Will of the Father

PRINTER-FRIENDLY DISCUSSION GUIDE

Community Group Discussion Guide for the Week of November 2, 2025

Miss this week’s teaching? You can watch it here.

# Summary

This sermon focuses on Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well in John chapter 4. Pastor Evan uses the analogy of hardened shins from MMA training to describe how the woman had developed a hardened heart from life's blows, pain, and sin. Jesus meets her exactly where she is, bringing both truth and grace without condemnation. The message emphasizes that true courage comes from vulnerability with Jesus, allowing Him to heal our deepest wounds and break through the calluses we've built around our hearts. The woman's transformation led to revival in her entire town, demonstrating how personal healing can lead to broader impact. The sermon challenges us to be vulnerable with Jesus, lay down our burdens, and share our scars (healed wounds) with others who are still suffering.

# Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You today with grateful hearts, knowing that You meet us exactly where we are. We ask that You would open our hearts and minds to receive what You have for us in this time together. Help us to be vulnerable and honest, laying down any defenses or walls we've built up. Give us the courage to embrace the areas of our lives that need Your healing touch. We pray that Your Holy Spirit would guide our discussion and reveal Your truth to each of us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

# Ice Breaker

What's one skill or hobby you tried to learn that turned out to be much harder than you expected?

# Key Verses

  • John 4:7-14

  • John 6:37-40

  • John 3:16-17

  • Romans 5:1-5

# Questions

  • How do you think the Samaritan woman felt coming to the well alone in the heat of the day What does this tell us about her emotional state?

  • Jesus didn't condemn the woman but also didn't avoid addressing her sin. How can we follow this example when talking with others about difficult topics?

  • Pastor Evan mentioned that 'to be 99% known is to be unknown.' What areas of your life do you find hardest to be vulnerable about, even with Jesus?

  • How does the woman's deflection to theological arguments mirror ways we might avoid dealing with our own heart issues?

  • What's the difference between the 'water' from Jacob's well and the 'living water' Jesus offers? How have you experienced this living water in your own life?

  • Pastor Evan suggests that trials can produce endurance, character, and hope when we walk through them with Jesus. Can you share an example of how this has been true in your life?

  • The woman immediately went to share her encounter with Jesus with her whole town. What holds you back from sharing your own testimony with others?

  • How can we create space for others to be vulnerable about their struggles, following Jesus' example with the Samaritan woman?

# Life Application

This week, identify one area of pain, struggle, or sin that you've been keeping from Jesus - that '1%' you haven't fully surrendered. Spend time in prayer being completely vulnerable with Him about this area. Then, look for an opportunity to share your testimony or 'scars' (healed wounds) with someone who might be struggling with similar issues, offering them the same grace and truth that Jesus offers us.

# Key Takeaways

  • Jesus meets us exactly where we are, bringing both truth and grace without condemnation

  • Life's wounds can cause us to develop hardened hearts and defense mechanisms that keep us from true healing

  • True courage comes from vulnerability with Jesus, not from putting on a facade of having it all together

  • When we allow Jesus to heal our wounds, they become scars that can help others find healing

  • Personal revival and transformation can lead to broader impact in our communities, just like the Samaritan woman's testimony brought revival to her entire town

# Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for meeting us exactly where we are, just as You met the woman at the well. We're grateful that You don't condemn us but offer us living water that springs up to eternal life. Help us to have the courage to be vulnerable with You about our deepest hurts and struggles. Break through any hardness in our hearts and bring healing to our wounds. As You transform us, give us boldness to share our testimonies with others who need to experience Your grace and truth. May our lives be a reflection of Your love and may revival begin in us and spread to those around us. We pray this in Your precious name, Amen.

Stand-Alone TeachingsPastor Jason MookMTN CHURCH