The Compass

A Daily Personal Reflection & Small Group Discussion Guide

by John Hay, Jr.
Senior Pastor, West Morris Street Free Methodist Church

Series: "One More Soul" Series
Week's focus: "See the Lost"
Scriptures: John 4:1-42
Week of: October 16, 2005

TRACKING THE WORD IN WORSHIP
It makes a difference when we see people in spiritual peril

These are notes from Exploring the Word in Morning Worship; message points are CAPITALIZED.

1. Jesus ACCEPTS given appearances, but focuses on the condition of the HEART. John 4:7-18. Jesus took the Samaritan woman at "face value," but also perceived her heart's hunger.

2. Jesus sees that within the common NECESSITIES of life are longings that only GRACE can satisfy. John 4:7-15. Jesus showed personal vulnerability when he asked the woman for water. But while Jesus asks for water to quench his physical thirst, he offers her spiritual water to quench the soul's thirst.

3. Speaking the TRUTH in love, Jesus invites a lost woman into the FULLNESS of life. John 4:13-26. There must have been something disarming and winning about Jesus' manner. He makes it possible for her to say the hard thing. When Jesus suggests she bring her husband, she is empowered to confess the truth--she's had five husbands and the man she is with is not a husband. There is no condemnation in Jesus' approach; there IS a winning way that invites truth-telling for doubt- and guilt-ridden people.

4. Focusing on just ONE, Jesus SEES the many. John 4:34-38. It is only after Jesus focuses on the woman at the well that he is able to help his followers see the vision of the many other people who are ready to believe--if they are approached in the manner Jesus has just approached the woman.

GUIDED STUDY / JOURNALING / DISCUSSION
For daily personal devotions or small group discussion

1. When we say "people are lost," what do you think that means? What makes a person "lost?" Does "lostness" describe a lack of relationship or moral meandering, or both? What else? Explore the meanings of "lostness" in your journal or discuss it in your small group or with a spiritual friend.

2. Read Ephesians 2:1-10. In verse 1-4, how does Paul describe life before we encounter Jesus Christ? In what different ways does this describe lostness? What emotional and relationship impacts might this condition produce? Discuss or journal your responses. In verses 5-10, Paul describes the beginnings of our new life in Christ. Contrast this condition with a "B.C." life. What makes the difference?

3. Read John 4:1-42. What in Jesus' approach to this woman's lostness impresses you as a way to approach lost people you know today? What do you think "wins" this woman's mind and heart to the Good News? Journal or discuss your responses.

4. Read Matthew 12:33-37. By what measure is a tree judged "good" or "bad?" Out of the overflow of what does the mouth speak? By what will all be judged or acquitted? Taking these realities into consideration, how can they help us "see the lost" as we watch and listen to those we encounter and converse with throughout the course of a week? Journal or discuss your responses.

5. Read Matthew 9:35-38. Where did Jesus go? What did he do? What moved him to compassion? What did he compare the crowds to? For what did he instruct his disciples to pray? Where is the harvest field today? Who are the workers? Journal or discuss your responses.

MARKINGS LEFT BY PREVIOUS TRAVELERS
Selected quotes on seeing the lost

WANTING TO BE IN CHARGE. "Conversion means 'turning with.' Turning with what? With God. When we are converted, we turn and begin walking with God. But what about before conversion? With whom were we walking then? The answer is, no one. We were walking alone. We were walking alone because we preferred it that way. Those of us who have been converted know now that God was walking with us all the time. Only we didn't know it then. Because we were not ready to acknowledge His presence with us. Because we still thought we could go it alone. We wanted to go it alone. We wanted to be in charge, and because we wanted to be in charge so much, we actually believed we were. And because we believed we were in charge we could not see God--except sometimes perhaps at very great distance and never close enough to actually experience Him as real." - M. Scott Peck

THE ULTIMATE VALUE OF PEOPLE. "What's Jesus message? That lost, wayward, rebellious, cursing people matter to God so much He wants us to go after them. He wants us to search them out and bring them to Him. Authentic evangelism flows from a mindset that acknowledges the ultimate value of people-forgotten people, lost people, wandering people, up-and-outers, down-and-outers-all people. The highest value is to love them, serve them, and reach them. Everything else goes up in smoke." -- Bill Hybels

ADDRESSING DOUBTS. "Often the very process of unthreatening dialogue with a caring nonjudgmental Christian is a liberating experience for a doubting person. Often, after people have named and shared their doubts, the doubts are 'defanged,' no longer tyrannizing their souls; and they are able to risk the experiment of faith-bringing their doubts with them. But helping people with doubts find faith is a longer process than helping people seeking forgiveness. Guilt is like tinder that blazes when the spark of emotion is applied to it, whereas doubt is like a rust which can only be removed by careful polishing." -- George G. Hunter III

RESPONSES & OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE
Want to explore The Compass with others? Have questions?

If you'd like to connect with others who are working weekly with The Compass, e-mail me or call the church office (317.632.8311)

If you have questions about Scriptures or some of the questions, or just want to share what your are discovering through The Compass, you are welcome to e-mail me.

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