The of a community shape its .
The values of Jesus’ are -cultural.
John 4:1-10 NLT
Jesus… left Judea and returned to Galilee. He had to go through Samaria on the way. Eventually he came to the Samaritan village of Sychar, near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob’s well was there; and Jesus, tired from the long walk, sat wearily beside the well about noontime. Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food. The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
1 Peter 2:17 NET
Honor everyone, love the family of believers. Fear God, honor the king.
Honor (τιμάω):
> To place value, esteem, or elevate.
> To add weight to.
Romans 5:8 NIV
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
is a .
“Honor Everyone.”
We honor the Image of God in all people and their innate value as human beings for whom Christ died. We consider diversity to be a strength, encouraging each other’s flourishing as unique individuals. We will always welcome the outsider, extend hospitality to the stranger, and help others discover belonging in the church.
John 4:4 NLT
He had to go through Samaria on the way.
John 4:13-18 NLT
Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” Please, sir,” the woman said, “give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.” “Go and get your husband,” Jesus told her. “I don’t have a husband,” the woman replied. Jesus said, “You’re right! You don’t have a husband— for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now.
“Jesus elevates this woman’s self-worth. Only the strong are able to give to others, the woman’s dignity is affirmed by being asked to help Jesus out of her available resources.” —Kenneth E. Bailey
1. Honor sees past the to the
“Define yourself radically as one beloved by God. This is the true self. Every other identity is illusion.” —Brennan Manning
Question for Reflection—
Who in my life do I struggle to see beyond their mistakes or flaws? How can I begin to see them through the lens of Christ’s honor and grace, rather than through their past actions?
2. Honor often where ends
“Biblically, tolerance isn’t about not having beliefs. It’s about how your beliefs lead you to treat people who disagree with you.” —Timothy Keller
Question for Reflection—
When someone dishonors or disrespects me, how do I typically respond? In what ways might I be called to honor them instead like Christ, even in the face of hurt or disagreement?
3. Honor reveals and redeems
John 4:25-30 NLT
The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!” Just then his disciples came back. They were shocked to find him talking to a woman, but none of them had the nerve to ask, “What do you want with her?” or “Why are you talking to her?” The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” So the people came streaming from the village to see him.
“We must be ready to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and canceling our plans by sending us people with claims and petitions.” —Dietrich Bonhoeffer
4. Honor makes for God’s
John 4:39-40 NLT
Many Samaritans from the village believed in Jesus because the woman had said, “He told me everything I ever did!” When they came out to see him, they begged him to stay in their village. So he stayed for two days, long enough for many more to hear his message and believe.
Answer Key: values, culture; Kingdom, counter; Honor, gift; problem, person; begins, agreement; Jesus, identity; space, Presence