Session One: I Am He
In this session, we’ll explore:
The relationship between Jesus and the Father
The reason why Jesus came into the world
‘The I AM sayings of Jesus point us to the deep truth that God the Father and Jesus the Son are eternally one. When we receive Jesus, the Father is with us.’
John Walford
1. Reflect
Jesus is often spoken of as our Saviour. What do this title, and the idea of salvation, mean to you?
2. Read
John 8:54-59 and compare it with Exodus 3:11-14 (New Living Translation)
What do you think that Jesus was saying about himself and his relationship to the Father when He uses the words ‘I am’?
Read John 4:1-26. When you read this story of Jesus meeting with the Samaritan woman, what do you think are the important points that they discuss?
What is the ‘living water’ of which Jesus speaks?
In verses 19 and 20, why do you think that she asks Jesus about where people should worship God? What important point does Jesus teach us in her reply (verses 21-24)?
What does this story tell us about Jesus’ heart; about his love and concern for people and what are the implications for us?
Read John 4:39-42. What does this tell us about Jesus purpose for coming into the world?
Need help? Here are some hints…
1. When Moses asks for God’s name, He says is name is I AM. God is always the same at every moment in time and He never changes. He has always existed. When Jesus says I AM He’s claiming to be one with the Father.
2. This is an amazing encounter between them:
It was unthinkable for a Jewish man to speak to a woman.
It was unthinkable for a Jew to speak to a Samaritan. They were hated by the Jews because they were considered heretics who only believed part of the Bible.
It takes place at midday when others were indoors. This woman is not welcome when the respectable women gather water.
Jesus has a concern for this woman - his request for a drink looks like an excuse to draw her into conversation
His concern is that she receives the ‘living water’.
4. Jesus really knows her; really knows her past and present; and she is ashamed to have to speak about this with him, so she attempts to change the subject. Jesus is not concerned with shaming her but with saving her.
We learn that worship is not about being in the right place but about having the right hearts. That means renewed hearts that have been filled with the truth of Jesus and the presence of the Holy Spirit.
5. Jesus wants to deal with our shame and our brokenness not use it to make us feel bad. His aim is always to bring us healing and to enable us to repent of our sins not be burdened down by them.
6. Luke 19:10 says: For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
3. Act
This story describes the journey to faith that the Samaritan woman makes. Write down your own story of the journey that you have made or are making.
4. Pray
Pray for the people on the list
Pray about the things that you have learned in this session
Pray about anything significant that is happening in your life (either for yourself or someone else)
