SCRIPTURE: Read John 4:1-42, James 5:19-20
STUDY: In this week’s reading, we see a woman who was so amazed by her contact with Jesus that she went and told everyone that she had met the Savior. Her fire burned so brightly that they were amazed, too. They went to Jesus and, after meeting Him, they declared Him to be “…the Savior of the world”! They were “raised from the dead” and began to live new lives for God. Isn’t it interesting that this woman had an incredible encounter with Jesus and we don’t even know her name! What we do know is that she took initiative and a risk to influence those she knew for the Kingdom of God. Her friends were now alive to God!
We, too, can be like the woman at the well. As our lives become ignited for God, BIG things can happen (remember from last week that you are a big fizz!). You have a story to tell about Jesus to your friends and neighbors, which can bring them eternal life. In the book of James, we are reminded that we can save people from death if we turn them from their sin.
CHALLENGE: Do you know what God’s biggest desire is? He wants us to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul and strength and then to love our neighbor as ourself. God wants everyone to hear the Good News of His sacrificial love. There are many ways that He shows us that love. It might be the sheer beauty of His creation, the power to save you from getting badly hurt or His care for you to give you something you need at just the right time. God truly loves each one of us!
One night this week, let each family member share some of the ways God has personally made His love known to them. Like the woman at the well, God does not want you to keep this great news a secret. He wants you to share it with those around you. Practice how you would share your God story with someone you think God wants you to share it with. Then take some initiative this week and just share the story with someone who needs to be “awakened from the dead.” Check back with one another at the end of the week to see how your storytelling has gone.
KEY POINT: “Awakening: Wake the Dead”
PRAYER: Father in Heaven, please help me follow the example of the woman at the well in my life this week. I know that you can use me to help other people find you, serve you and declare that Your Son is the Savior of the world. I pray that I would be ready for each and every opportunity You would give me. In Jesus Name, Amen.