"He desired to lift the thoughts of His hearer above matters of form and ceremony, and questions of controversy. “The hour cometh,” He said, “and now is, when the true worshipers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” DA 189.1"
"God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth."
EGW directly quotes John 4:24.
"But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him."
EGW directly quotes John 4:23.
Here is declared the same truth that Jesus had revealed to Nicodemus when He said, “Except a man be born from above, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3 , margin. Not by seeking a holy mountain or a sacred temple are men brought into communion with heaven. Religion is not to be confined to external forms and ceremonies. The religion that comes from God is the only religion that will lead to God. In order to serve Him aright, we must be born of the divine Spirit. This will purify the heart and renew the mind, giving us a new capacity for knowing and loving God. It will give us a willing obedience to all His requirements. This is true worship. It is the fruit of the working of the Holy Spirit. By the Spirit every sincere prayer is indited, and such prayer is acceptable to God. Wherever a soul reaches out after God, there the Spirit's working is manifest, and God will reveal Himself to that soul. For such worshipers He is seeking. He waits to receive them, and to make them His son…
"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
EGW directly quotes John 3:3.
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;"
Both passages discuss the necessity of spiritual renewal and not relying on outward works for salvation. Titus 3:5 speaks of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost, while EGW speaks of being born of the divine Spirit to purify the heart and renew the mind. The connection is thematic and not a direct quote, but it's a strong parallel.
As the woman talked with Jesus, she was impressed with His words. Never had she heard such sentiments from the priests of her own people or from the Jews. As the past of her life had been spread out before her, she had been made sensible of her great want. She realized her soul thirst, which the waters of the well of Sychar could never satisfy. Nothing that had hitherto come in contact with her had so awakened her to a higher need. Jesus had convinced her that He read the secrets of her life; yet she felt that He was her friend, pitying and loving her. While the very purity of His presence condemned her sin, He had spoken no word of denunciation, but had told her of His grace, that could renew the soul. She began to have some conviction of His character. The question arose in her mind, Might not this be the long-looked-for Messiah? She said to Him, “I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when He is come, He will tell us all things.” Jesus answered, “I that speak unto thee …
"But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."
Both passages contrast earthly satisfaction with a deeper, spiritual satisfaction. John 4:14 speaks of water that will lead to everlasting life, while EGW speaks of the woman's soul thirst that the well of Sychar could never satisfy, implying a need for something more profound. The connection is thematic and contextual.
"Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:"
Both passages refer to the idea of thirst and satisfaction. John 4:13 speaks of physical water not satisfying, while EGW speaks of the woman's soul thirst that the well of Sychar could never satisfy. The connection is thematic and contextual.