She Leaves Her Jar and Tells the City

John 4:1-42

The Big Idea

When we learn about Jesus, we can share the good news with others with joyful courage and respect.

The Bible Story

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman

John 4:27–30 tells how Jesus’ disciples return and are surprised to find him speaking with a woman. The passage does not record a spoken response from them at that moment. The woman leaves her water jar, goes into the city, and invites people to come and see Jesus. She says that he told her everything she had done and asks whether he might be the Christ. This follows Jesus’ conversation with her at Jacob’s well, where he offered living water leading to eternal life and revealed that he is the Messiah. Her action shows that hearing Jesus moved her to tell others. John later explains that many Samaritans believe because of her testimony, and many more believe after hearing Jesus himself.

Themes

Faith through hearing Jesus’ words Jesus as the Messiah Living water and eternal life Sharing testimony Truth and dignity Welcome across social boundaries Worship in spirit and truth

Bible moment

The Bible moment

Look closely

What children can notice

The Samaritan woman leaves her water jar beside Jacob’s well and hurries toward the city to invite people to come and see Jesus. Jesus and the returning disciples remain near the well in the background, while the woman’s movement shows her eagerness to share what she has heard.

Talk together

Talk about it

Why do you think the woman hurried to tell people about Jesus?
How can you share what you know about Jesus kindly?

For families, church, and class

Use this page

Use this page to discuss testimony, welcome, and listening to Jesus’ words. Remind children that the woman’s invitation points people toward Jesus, and that John says the Samaritans later hear Jesus themselves. Encourage respectful sharing without requiring children to repeat a long speech or pretend to know details the passage does not give.

Source note