Thirsting for Connection: The Cost of Community
Summary
In this new series, "The Cost of Connection," we explore the dual meaning of connection: the cost of choosing community and the cost Jesus paid to restore our connection with God. As we enter the Lent season, a time of preparation for Easter, we are reminded of the importance of spiritual reflection and fasting. Fasting is not limited to food; it can be any habit or behavior that distracts us from focusing on God. This series encourages us to examine our lives and consider what we might set aside to deepen our spiritual connection.
Today's focus is on the concept of thirst, both physical and spiritual. We often seek to quench our immediate physical thirst with various drinks, but true satisfaction comes from addressing our deeper spiritual thirst. We delve into John 4, where Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at a well. This encounter highlights Jesus' intentionality in breaking social norms to offer living water, a metaphor for eternal life and spiritual fulfillment. The Samaritan woman, an outcast, is seen and valued by Jesus, who offers her hope and transformation.
Jesus' interaction with the woman demonstrates that helping others is not just an action but an integral part of who He is. He sees beyond her immediate needs and addresses her deeper spiritual thirst. This story challenges us to look beyond our immediate desires and recognize the deeper longings that only God can satisfy. As we journey through Lent, we are invited to reflect on our own lives, identify areas where we seek temporary satisfaction, and turn to God for lasting fulfillment.
Key Takeaways:
- The Dual Cost of Connection: Lent reminds us of the cost of choosing community and the sacrifice Jesus made to restore our connection with God. This season invites us to reflect on what we might set aside to deepen our spiritual connection. [00:00]
- Quenching Spiritual Thirst: Just as physical thirst requires water, our spiritual thirst requires living water, which only Jesus can provide. We often seek temporary solutions for our deeper longings, but true satisfaction comes from a relationship with God. [34:43]
- Breaking Social Norms for Love: Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman shows His willingness to break social barriers to offer love and acceptance. He sees beyond societal labels and offers hope and transformation to those who feel marginalized. [42:04]
- Living with Help and Hope: Jesus' life exemplifies that helping others is not just an action but an integral part of His identity. He offers hope to those living with hurt, showing that our deepest needs can be met in Him. [48:59]
- Reflecting on Our Spiritual Journey: As we engage in Ignatian contemplation, we are encouraged to place ourselves in the biblical narrative, experiencing the story with all our senses. This practice helps us connect with Jesus' compassion and consider what we might surrender to deepen our spiritual hunger. [48:59]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:45] - Introduction to Lent and Series
- [02:30] - The Cost of Connection
- [04:15] - Fasting and Spiritual Reflection
- [06:00] - Prayer and Preparation
- [07:30] - Exploring Thirst
- [10:00] - Physical vs. Spiritual Thirst
- [12:00] - Encounter at the Well
- [15:00] - Breaking Social Norms
- [18:00] - Jesus' Offer of Living Water
- [21:00] - The Woman's Transformation
- [24:00] - Living with Help and Hope
- [27:00] - Reflecting on Our Spiritual Journey
- [30:00] - Ignatian Contemplation Practice
- [33:00] - Closing Prayer and Communion Preparation
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Cost of Connection
Bible Reading:
- John 4:1-42
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Observation Questions:
1. What cultural and social barriers did Jesus break by speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well? [18:00]
2. How does Jesus describe the "living water" He offers to the Samaritan woman, and what is her initial reaction to this offer? [34:43]
3. What is the significance of the Samaritan woman leaving her water jar behind after her encounter with Jesus? [42:04]
4. How did the townspeople react to the Samaritan woman's testimony about Jesus, and what was the outcome of her sharing? [48:59]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Jesus have chosen to reveal His identity as the Messiah to the Samaritan woman, and what does this reveal about His mission? [42:04]
2. In what ways does the story of the Samaritan woman challenge societal norms and expectations, both in the context of the story and in today's world? [18:00]
3. How does the concept of "living water" relate to the deeper spiritual thirst that Jesus addresses in the Samaritan woman and in us? [34:43]
4. What does the transformation of the Samaritan woman suggest about the power of personal testimony in sharing the message of Jesus? [48:59]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt like an outsider or marginalized. How can Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman encourage you to see your value and worth in God's eyes? [18:00]
2. Consider the "water jars" in your life—habits or distractions that you rely on for temporary satisfaction. What might you need to leave behind to pursue a deeper relationship with God? [42:04]
3. Jesus intentionally broke social norms to offer love and acceptance. Are there social barriers in your life that you feel called to challenge in order to show Christ's love to others? [18:00]
4. The Samaritan woman's testimony led many to believe in Jesus. How can you share your own story of faith with others, even if you feel unqualified or hesitant? [48:59]
5. During Lent, many choose to fast from certain habits to focus on God. Is there a specific habit or behavior you feel led to set aside during this season to deepen your spiritual connection? [42:04]
6. Jesus' life exemplifies helping others as an integral part of His identity. How can you incorporate acts of service into your daily life as a reflection of your faith? [48:59]
7. Reflect on the deeper spiritual thirst in your life. What steps can you take this week to seek fulfillment in your relationship with God rather than temporary solutions? [34:43]
Devotional
Day 1: The Cost of Choosing Community
In the season of Lent, we are reminded of the dual cost of connection: the cost of choosing community and the sacrifice Jesus made to restore our connection with God. Lent invites us to reflect on what we might set aside to deepen our spiritual connection. This is a time to consider the distractions in our lives that pull us away from God and community. By choosing to engage with others and prioritize our spiritual growth, we acknowledge the sacrifices required to build meaningful relationships and a deeper connection with God. [00:00]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: What is one distraction in your life that you can set aside this week to focus more on your relationship with God and your community?
Day 2: True Satisfaction in Spiritual Thirst
Just as physical thirst requires water, our spiritual thirst requires living water, which only Jesus can provide. We often seek temporary solutions for our deeper longings, but true satisfaction comes from a relationship with God. In John 4, Jesus offers the Samaritan woman living water, symbolizing eternal life and spiritual fulfillment. This encounter challenges us to look beyond our immediate desires and recognize the deeper longings that only God can satisfy. [34:43]
Isaiah 55:1-2 (ESV): "Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy?"
Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you seek temporary satisfaction. How can you turn to God for lasting fulfillment in this area today?
Day 3: Breaking Barriers with Love
Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman shows His willingness to break social barriers to offer love and acceptance. He sees beyond societal labels and offers hope and transformation to those who feel marginalized. This story encourages us to look beyond societal norms and reach out to those who may feel excluded or undervalued, offering them the love and acceptance that Jesus exemplified. [42:04]
Galatians 3:28 (ESV): "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may feel marginalized or excluded. How can you reach out to them this week to show them love and acceptance?
Day 4: Living with Help and Hope
Jesus' life exemplifies that helping others is not just an action but an integral part of His identity. He offers hope to those living with hurt, showing that our deepest needs can be met in Him. As followers of Christ, we are called to embody this same spirit of help and hope, recognizing that our actions can be a source of healing and encouragement to others. [48:59]
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (ESV): "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."
Reflection: Who in your life is in need of comfort or help? How can you be a source of hope and support for them today?
Day 5: Reflecting on Our Spiritual Journey
As we engage in Ignatian contemplation, we are encouraged to place ourselves in the biblical narrative, experiencing the story with all our senses. This practice helps us connect with Jesus' compassion and consider what we might surrender to deepen our spiritual hunger. By immersing ourselves in the story, we gain a deeper understanding of Jesus' love and are invited to reflect on our own spiritual journey. [48:59]
Psalm 119:18 (ESV): "Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law."
Reflection: As you read a passage of Scripture today, imagine yourself in the story. What do you see, hear, and feel? How does this experience deepen your understanding of Jesus' love and your own spiritual journey?
Quotes
Well, good morning, Menlo Church, and welcome to a brand new series that we're kicking off today as a part of Lent. We're going to talk about that in just a minute. Last week, we finished our series, The Formation Machine, and Brett helped us to understand the importance of community to our spiritual formation. If you missed that, it was fantastic. Well worth your time to go back and catch up online. Today, we begin a new series called The Cost of Connection, and it will take us all the way up to Easter with this idea that's kind of a double meaning between the cost of connection when we choose community, there's a weight and a cost to it, as well as the cost that Jesus was willing to pay to restore connection to mankind with God. [00:20:12] (45 seconds)
Now, some people are going to choose as a part of celebrating Lent something to fast from over the course of the next 40 days. Maybe you've heard of that before. And if you're thinking about doing that, it actually does not have to be a food thing. It could be a habit or a numbing behavior that you want to fast from so that you can use that time, that focus, that interest as a reminder to prepare your own heart to celebrate Easter this season, or maybe to be able to tune your heart to what God may be trying to impress upon you or speak specifically to you in this unique time of the year. [00:21:52] (34 seconds)
Now, today we're going to talk about thirst. And I want to acknowledge a cultural challenge to this topic because of the question, are you thirsty, means something way different in 2025. And I mean literally physical and spiritual thirst. That's all I'm talking about. I want to make that very clear. There has never been a time in history probably where there are so many different potential solutions to solve our physical thirst, right? How many of you are Diet Coke people? It's okay. No shame. Raise your hands. I see some of you. One of you's in the front row and I'm married to you. [00:25:12] (35 seconds)
I have actually thought to myself on days where I've not drank water, I've thought, yeah, but they use water to make coffee, so who's really getting ahead here, right? Now, we know that the best way to satisfy our physical thirst actually is water, even if we're not regularly drinking as much of it as we need to. Recently, I was with a friend at a pretty unique restaurant, and this restaurant, one of the things they're known for is that they have a water menu where you can order waters from all around the world. They're bottled waters from all around the world, and they have flavor profiles in each one and all that stuff, and you order, you're like, this is going to be amazing. I think the one we selected specifically was Russian sewer water. That's what my palate was telling me. [00:25:48] (44 seconds)
We're going to move through John 4 in our time today, and you may be familiar with the passage as we get started in it, but I would encourage you not to allow your familiarity with the passage to rob you of the discoveries that God may have for you in our study of it together. Sometimes, actually, our familiarity, if we allow it to, can be a foundation to look even deeper to discover something that we've never noticed before. There are three scenes that we're going to look at together, and the first one shows us in Jesus what it looks like when you and me are living with help. See, helping people for Jesus was not something that he did. Helping people was actually who he was and who he still is today. [00:27:17] (42 seconds)
Even though this request for a drink might seem unkind to us, it was actually probably considered an honoring request by this woman, but she was also confused. See, Jesus had asked for water, but he was really trying to start a conversation. He didn't even bring a cup with him. He was using that topic to segue to something that was even deeper. And he explained to her that even though the water that you're pulling from this is helpful, you're going to need water again. But I have water, even though I'm asking you for water and don't have a cup, I have water that can satisfy your deepest longings, that once you have it, you'll never thirst again. [00:32:53] (37 seconds)
And once this back and forth has concluded, she asks for the water that he's describing so that she would no longer have to continue this potentially embarrassing errand every day. Now, this immediate help, it would have been incredible to her. See, the heat of the day with a clay or stone jar with three to five gallons of water totaling upwards of 50 pounds, she had to carry it every day, at least once a day. For as much as a couple of miles, she was motivated. If there was some ancient water source that she didn't know about that could help her, she really wanted it. And Jesus, let's be fair, could have done that. He could have made this water always last. But he offers her something even better. Even permanent physical care wouldn't satisfy the deeper thirst that she was experiencing, the deeper thirst that you and I experience. [00:33:56] (56 seconds)
explain their situation in a way that made himself feel better but rather show them that he saw them as image bearers of god himself regardless of their circumstances people that he would literally die for after explaining that worshiping the god of israel would soon be available to everyone including gentiles even samaritans jesus does something remarkable says the woman said to him i know that he who is called Christ when he comes he will tell us all things Jesus said to her I who speak to you am he now imagine this for a moment that even after everything that she has experienced in her life she still has a personal faith to think about anticipate and trust the promised rescuer of the world the Messiah to come and Jesus uses this moment with a Samaritan woman of low to be the first time and the first place that he shares explicitly that he is the Messiah in his life and ministry. [00:38:46] (68 seconds)
The passage tells us that the woman left her jar behind and it's possible that she left her jar behind just because she was so overwhelmed, she didn't think about it. I think actually it's more likely that it's because she knew she was coming back and she trusted Jesus with what was likely Valuable Earthly Possessions. [00:40:58] (20 seconds)
Earlier we talked about Lent as a time when people fast from something. Maybe for you that is some type of food, or maybe for you that is a habit. There's some appetite in you and me that sometimes when we satisfy it, what it does is it dulls our deeper hunger for God. And during this season, sometimes what Lent can do when we fast something from it is remind us of our deeper hunger, our deeper thirst, our deeper longing for God. [00:41:29] (30 seconds)
The disciples are now back and they're trying to get Jesus to eat, which the disciples, that's a regular pattern for them. They're, they're sort of looking out for Jesus. And even they could get distracted by the immediate needs, longings, and desires with the best of intentions. And they would miss something bigger that Jesus wanted to show them. And so here, Jesus points it out this way, but he said to them, I have food to eat that you do not know about. So the disciples said to one another, has anyone brought him something to eat? [00:42:42] (31 seconds)
Jesus knew his time was short and he wanted to make the most of every single moment of every single day of his earthly ministry. He was watching the religious leaders around him settle for cultural comfort from lower longings while quieting the deeper ones in themselves and not calling other people to the same. [00:44:05] (20 seconds)
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