In what ways can John 4:22 guide our evangelism efforts to non-believers? Setting the Scene John 4 records Jesus’ interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well. In verse 22 He says, “You worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.” This single sentence offers a template for sharing the gospel with people who do not yet believe. Key Phrase to Grasp “You worship what you do not know.” • People are already spiritual. They often sense a need to worship, but their knowledge is incomplete. • Our task is not to create interest in God; it is to clarify who He is and how He saves. Gospel Roots: “Salvation is from the Jews” • Jesus anchors the message in real history and covenant promise. Genesis 12:3; Isaiah 49:6; Romans 9:4-5. • Evangelism must point to the fulfilled promises in Christ—the Jewish Messiah who brings salvation to the whole world (Acts 13:23, 38-39). • Presenting the gospel as the outworking of God’s plan from Abraham forward guards against treating it as a vague spiritual idea. Clarity About the Unknown God • Like the Samaritans, many today carry fragments of truth mixed with error. • Our witness mirrors Paul in Athens: “What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you.” (Acts 17:23) • Explain God’s character plainly—holy, just, loving—so hearers trade confusion for certainty (Jeremiah 9:24). Moving from Unknown Worship to True Worship • True worship is inseparable from truth about Jesus (John 14:6). • Emphasize the necessity of personal trust in Christ’s atoning death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). • Invite people to move from generalized spirituality to a saving relationship: “Whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16) Practical Takeaways for Everyday Evangelism • Start where people are. Acknowledge common spiritual longings before supplying biblical answers. • Keep Jesus central. Salvation “is from the Jews,” but its focus is the Jewish Messiah, not moral improvement. • Offer historical grounding. Show that faith rests on fulfilled prophecy and eyewitness testimony (2 Peter 1:16-19). • Speak with humility and confidence. We “know” the One we worship; share that certainty graciously (1 Peter 3:15). • Present a complete gospel: Creation, fall, promise, cross, resurrection, and the call to repent and believe (Mark 1:15). • Encourage immediate response. Jesus led the Samaritan woman from dialogue to decision; we should as well (John 4:26-29). Let John 4:22 remind us that evangelism is bridging the gap between vague worship and true knowledge, inviting every listener to the salvation that comes through Jesus Christ alone. |
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