Today’s reading of Jesus’ interaction with the woman of Samaria is interesting from several angles, especially if we consider it from a first century Jewish perspective. For one thing, we see a man who broke through social boundaries because of his compassion. A man talking to a woman in public, according to rabbis in the first century, was questionable, but especially on theological issues. It was even frowned upon for a man to talk to his wife in public.

A five-year research project1 explored the challenges of faith development among teens and young adults within a rapidly shifting culture. There were eight national studies, interviewing teenagers, young adults, parents, youth pastors, and senior pastors, and they focused on those who were regular church-goers during their teen years and their reasons for disconnection from church life after age 15.