Bountiful Harvest - October 11th, 2026

Bible Reading

John 4:27-38

“Just then his disciples came. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, 'What do you seek?' or 'Why are you talking with her?' So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, 'Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?' They went out of the town and were coming to him. Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, saying, 'Rabbi, eat.' But he said to them, 'I have food to eat that you do not know about.' So the disciples said to one another, 'Has anyone brought him something to eat?' Jesus said to them, 'My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say, "There are yet four months, then comes the harvest"? Look, I tell you, lift up your eyes, and see that the fields are white for harvest. Already the one who reaps is receiving wages and gathering fruit for eternal life, so that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true, "One sows and another reaps." I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.”

[36:27]

Matthew 25:35-40

“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”

[54:00]

Psalm 46:1

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

[48:17]

Observation questions

1. In John 4:27–38, what contrasts can be seen between what the disciples are focused on and what Jesus is focused on?
2. What does Jesus identify as his “food,” and how does he describe the harvest that is ready? [37:30]
3. What details in the passage show that the Samaritan people were coming toward Jesus, rather than being treated as people beyond hope? [38:10]
4. According to Psalm 46:1, what two things is God called, and in what kind of circumstances does a person especially need them? [48:17]

Interpretation questions

1. Jesus connects doing the Father’s will with being fed. What does this suggest about why serving others and joining God’s mission can bring deep joy, even when it requires sacrifice? [35:09]
2. Jesus tells the disciples to lift up their eyes and see a plentiful harvest in Samaria. Why would this have challenged their assumptions about who could receive friendship and eternal life? [38:28]
3. Matthew 25:35–40 connects love for Christ with practical care for hungry, sick, poor, and imprisoned people. How does this passage help explain why compassion is not separate from sharing the gospel? [53:49]
4. Psalm 46:1 does not promise that trouble will never come. What does it mean for God to be a refuge and strength while the “arrows are flying”? [48:24]

Application questions

1. Where have you recently recognized God providing for you through ordinary people—a friend, worker, family member, church member, or neighbour? How might you express gratitude to God and to that person? [50:20]
2. Is there someone around you who may need God’s care in a practical form right now—food, a ride, a visit, encouragement, listening, or help finding community resources? What is one realistic way you could become God’s hands, ears, or lips this week? [51:40]
3. When finances, health, grief, or uncertainty cast a shadow over thanksgiving, what are you most tempted to rely on instead of God? What would it look like to turn your eyes to Jesus in that specific situation? [45:20]
4. Think about a hardship you are facing or have faced. How has Christ met you in it—not by pretending the sorrow was not real, but by being your refuge and strength? [46:54]
5. Who do you tend to view as “hard soil,” rocks, or weeds—someone unlikely to respond to the gospel? How might Jesus be asking you to lift up your eyes and see that person with hope instead? [01:01:35]
6. What is one simple way you could sow the seed of God’s Word this week: sharing your story, inviting someone into conversation, offering prayer, serving with kindness, or speaking honestly about Jesus? [01:05:29]
7. Where might God be inviting you to join his harvest alongside others rather than trying to do everything yourself—planting, watering, encouraging, serving, or welcoming? [01:03:25]