1. Receptivity to the gospel. She was a woman, a Samaritan woman. A woman alone, but a woman who believed.  Our lesson points out that this Samaritan woman had receptivity to Jesus in her heart. The little country of Samaria was not a high priority among the disciples. There was no reason, from their perspective, to spend time there. But Jesus doesn’t see things the same way we do. What did Jesus see in this woman and the potential for her ministry?
2. An attitude adjustment.  Have you ever needed an attitude adjustment? It could seem that it was Jesus who needed an attitude adjustment concerning this Canaanite woman, but things are not always what they seem. “Lord, help me,” she pleads. Jesus seems unmoved and He refuses to honor her request. More than that He tells her she’s wasting her time. She disagrees with Him, and the two are soon reconciled. “O woman,” he exclaims. “Great is your faith!” Her daughter is healed immediately. What is the lesson for you and me to take from his amazing story from Jesus’ life?
3. Presenting the truth in love. Do you have lots of good friends who don’t seem to give a care in the world for your Christian faith? Some of these friends may find you delightful and take your friendship seriously, but is that an attraction to your Christian faith? Without batting an eye, Ellen White declared that if we would be kind and courteous and full of pity, there would be one hundred conversions for every one we see now. What can you and I do to express these thoughts of love to those around us—and see the results?
4. The foundation of acceptance. Why is it so hard to accept people—even people within our church fellowship—who don’t seem to show Christian love to those who display obvious faults?  How should we relate to people with obvious faults—like the member who takes a smoke before church or is known for a bad temper? Doesn’t Jesus accept us as we are?
5. Truth lovingly presented. Is there ever a conflict between love and truth? How can the following principles be blended in the Christian life—grace and law, compassion and honesty, meekness and fear? Why are you a Christian? How could you explain this to anyone who might ask? What should be our attitude towards those who claim to love Jesus but do not always show an accepting attitude toward those around them?  

The above topics are presented to encourage group discussion and individual exploration of this week’s theme.

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