October 5, 2025: Finding God in the Midst of Risks
Core Passage
God calls us to step out of our comfort zones and take the risk of extending His table of mercy and grace to others, just as Jesus did with the Samaritan woman at the well. Jesus crossed social, cultural, and religious barriers to engage with someone who was considered an outsider, showing us that God is already at work in people’s lives before we even arrive. Our role is to join Him, to notice where He is moving, and to courageously partner with Him in reaching those who may feel far from God. The adventure of following Jesus is not about playing it safe, but about discovering the joy of being part of His redemptive work in the world. [50:24]
John 4:7-10 (ESV)
A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.”
Reflection: Who in your life might God already be working in, and what is one risk you can take this week to join Him in extending the table of His love and mercy to them?
Observation Questions
Note: Timestamps for all questions correspond to the sermon video that can be found by clicking the orange button at the bottom of the page.
1. In the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman, what social and cultural barriers did Jesus cross to engage with her? (John 4:7-10) [[50:24]]
2. According to Matthew 5, what does Jesus call his followers, and what does he say about how they should live in the world? (Matthew 5:14-16) [[01:00:11]]
3. What does Paul say about our identity and calling in 2 Corinthians 5:17-20? How does he describe our role in God’s work? [[01:21:03]]
4. The sermon mentioned four core risks in extending God’s table. What are they? [[57:59]]
Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think Jesus chose to speak with the Samaritan woman, knowing the cultural and religious risks involved? What does this teach us about God’s priorities? [[50:24]]
2. The sermon says, “Shining is first and foremost about embracing the identity that Jesus gave us.” What does it mean to embrace being “the light of the world” in practical terms? [[01:00:11]]
3. The message described the church as a “hospital for the broken.” How does embracing the messiness of others (and our own messiness) help us extend God’s grace? [[01:12:08]]
4. The sermon talked about witnessing as “joining God where He is already at work.” How is this different from trying to force spiritual conversations or outcomes? [[57:28]]
Application Questions
1. Think about a time when you felt God nudging you to reach out to someone outside your comfort zone. What held you back? What would it look like to take that risk next time? [[49:29]]
2. The sermon challenged us to “shine as light” in everyday life. What is one specific way you can let the hope of Christ show through your actions this week—at work, school, or in your neighborhood? [[01:00:11]]
3. Are there people in your life you tend to overlook or avoid because their lives seem “messy”? What would it look like to intentionally see and connect with them, as Jesus did? [[01:07:23]]
4. The message said, “You have never locked eyes with another human being who isn’t valuable to God.” Is there someone you need to see differently in light of this truth? How can you show them God’s care? [[01:10:07]]
5. When it comes to sharing your faith, what feels most risky to you—shining, seeing, embracing messiness, or speaking about Jesus? Why? What is one step you can take to move through that fear? [[01:16:41]]
6. The sermon described witnessing as asking honest questions and listening well. Who is one person you could ask, “What do you think about Jesus?” this month? How can you prepare to listen without an agenda? [[01:16:41]]
7. The message ended with the idea that the risks we take are invitations to join God’s adventure. What is one “risk” you sense God inviting you to take this week? How can your group pray for you as you step out? [[01:19:48]]