Jesus And The Woman At The Well
Children's Resources
Spotlight On Jesus
Readers' Theater For Children's Church
Characters
Narrator
Jesus
Disciple
Woman
Questions
1.
What was the race of the woman who talked with Jesus?
2.
Why did many Jews dislike her people?
3.
How did Jesus start the conversation?
4.
Why did Jesus ask her to bring her husband?
5.
When the woman believed, what did she do?
Narrator: Jesus had been down in Jerusalem, but now was returning to his home up in Galilee. The shortest route is straight north through the territory known as Samaria. Many Jews refused to travel this route because the Samaritans were part Jew and part Gentile. The Jews felt those people were unclean because they were of mixed blood. Jesus, however, had no such prejudices. He and his disciples arrive at a small well outside the city of Sychar.
Jesus: I'm rather tired from our walk. I'm going to rest by this well while you and the others go into town to buy some supplies.
Disciple: It's scorching hot out here under the noonday sun, not fit for any human in such conditions. Wouldn't you rather find some spot in the shade?
Jesus: I'll be just fine, right here beside the well. You go along into Sychar.
Disciple: We'll be back as soon as possible.
Narrator: Shortly after the disciples left, a woman made her way toward the well with a jar on her shoulder.
Jesus: (friendly) Hello.
Woman: (sarcastically) Well, here's a novelty. A high and mighty Jew speaking to a lowly Samaritan.
Jesus: Isn't this a strange time to be coming out for water, at the hottest part of the day?
Woman: I'd rather come when nobody's around. The people of this town aren't very sociable, but you're friendly enough. I thought you Jews didn't associate with my people.
Jesus: Friend, would you take your pail and draw me a drink of water?
Woman: You'd actually drink out of my pail? Drink my water? Now I've seen everything.
Jesus: Of course I'd drink from your cup. I'm thirsty. But I do have another kind of drink, water that would satisfy the soul, give you lasting peace and joy.
Woman: Hey, that sounds great! Not having to trek all the way out here every day. I'd sure like some of that kind of water. How do I get it?
Jesus: Go, get your husband.
Woman: (groan, to herself) How'd he know about me? (to Jesus) Ahhh, well ahh, at the present time I don't exactly have a husband. Ahhh, I used to have one.
Jesus: Indeed you did. Not just one, but five husbands. And the man you're living with right now is not really your husband.
Woman: (worriedly to herself) Oh, boy. (to Jesus) How'd you know that? You must be some sort of preacher, maybe a prophet. Hey, can we change the subject? I've always wanted to ask some religious person a question, and you're my big opportunity. Which is the best place to worship? Is it down in Jerusalem or on that mountain near here?
Jesus: It doesn't make any difference where you worship -- in Jerusalem, on your mountain, in an open field, in a synagogue, in your home. You can worship any place. But real worship happens anywhere people truly seek God, worshiping him through his Spirit.
Woman: That's a beautiful idea. I sorta like that, but everybody says the Messiah is coming. When he gets here, he'll give us the real scoop; then we'll know for certain.
Jesus: Could you believe that I have come from God? God sent me into this world to reveal the Father, to save people from their sins, and to bring them back into fellowship with a loving Heavenly Father.
Woman: As crazy as it may seem, I think I believe you. You're different from any man I've ever known. I'm going back to town to tell the people about you. I'm going to say you're amazing; that you may be the Messiah.
Narrator: The woman hurried back into town to tell others about Jesus. As she left, the disciples returned with food.
Disciple: Sorry we took so long, but we brought something to eat.
Jesus: I've had something more satisfying than food. My encounter with that woman.
Disciple: Who was that woman we saw hurrying away?
Jesus: A woman who came seeking new life, searching for love, God's love. Now she's found it, and she's going back to help her neighbors find it as well.
Read the questions again, and prompt answers from the children.
Narrator
Jesus
Disciple
Woman
Questions
1.
What was the race of the woman who talked with Jesus?
2.
Why did many Jews dislike her people?
3.
How did Jesus start the conversation?
4.
Why did Jesus ask her to bring her husband?
5.
When the woman believed, what did she do?
Narrator: Jesus had been down in Jerusalem, but now was returning to his home up in Galilee. The shortest route is straight north through the territory known as Samaria. Many Jews refused to travel this route because the Samaritans were part Jew and part Gentile. The Jews felt those people were unclean because they were of mixed blood. Jesus, however, had no such prejudices. He and his disciples arrive at a small well outside the city of Sychar.
Jesus: I'm rather tired from our walk. I'm going to rest by this well while you and the others go into town to buy some supplies.
Disciple: It's scorching hot out here under the noonday sun, not fit for any human in such conditions. Wouldn't you rather find some spot in the shade?
Jesus: I'll be just fine, right here beside the well. You go along into Sychar.
Disciple: We'll be back as soon as possible.
Narrator: Shortly after the disciples left, a woman made her way toward the well with a jar on her shoulder.
Jesus: (friendly) Hello.
Woman: (sarcastically) Well, here's a novelty. A high and mighty Jew speaking to a lowly Samaritan.
Jesus: Isn't this a strange time to be coming out for water, at the hottest part of the day?
Woman: I'd rather come when nobody's around. The people of this town aren't very sociable, but you're friendly enough. I thought you Jews didn't associate with my people.
Jesus: Friend, would you take your pail and draw me a drink of water?
Woman: You'd actually drink out of my pail? Drink my water? Now I've seen everything.
Jesus: Of course I'd drink from your cup. I'm thirsty. But I do have another kind of drink, water that would satisfy the soul, give you lasting peace and joy.
Woman: Hey, that sounds great! Not having to trek all the way out here every day. I'd sure like some of that kind of water. How do I get it?
Jesus: Go, get your husband.
Woman: (groan, to herself) How'd he know about me? (to Jesus) Ahhh, well ahh, at the present time I don't exactly have a husband. Ahhh, I used to have one.
Jesus: Indeed you did. Not just one, but five husbands. And the man you're living with right now is not really your husband.
Woman: (worriedly to herself) Oh, boy. (to Jesus) How'd you know that? You must be some sort of preacher, maybe a prophet. Hey, can we change the subject? I've always wanted to ask some religious person a question, and you're my big opportunity. Which is the best place to worship? Is it down in Jerusalem or on that mountain near here?
Jesus: It doesn't make any difference where you worship -- in Jerusalem, on your mountain, in an open field, in a synagogue, in your home. You can worship any place. But real worship happens anywhere people truly seek God, worshiping him through his Spirit.
Woman: That's a beautiful idea. I sorta like that, but everybody says the Messiah is coming. When he gets here, he'll give us the real scoop; then we'll know for certain.
Jesus: Could you believe that I have come from God? God sent me into this world to reveal the Father, to save people from their sins, and to bring them back into fellowship with a loving Heavenly Father.
Woman: As crazy as it may seem, I think I believe you. You're different from any man I've ever known. I'm going back to town to tell the people about you. I'm going to say you're amazing; that you may be the Messiah.
Narrator: The woman hurried back into town to tell others about Jesus. As she left, the disciples returned with food.
Disciple: Sorry we took so long, but we brought something to eat.
Jesus: I've had something more satisfying than food. My encounter with that woman.
Disciple: Who was that woman we saw hurrying away?
Jesus: A woman who came seeking new life, searching for love, God's love. Now she's found it, and she's going back to help her neighbors find it as well.
Read the questions again, and prompt answers from the children.
