Start with Your People
OPENING PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, we come to you today to learn more about you and your will for our lives. We know that in this life everyone walks with someone and we want to be intentional about whom we are walking with. Help us to be willing to share the Good News with others.
READ:
“Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him.
Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers.
They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” John 4:28-30, 39-43 (NIV)
REFLECT:
To wrap up this week of devotions, we return to the story of Jesus and the woman at the well. Verse 29 is key: “Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony…” When you start sharing with the people in your own circle of influence, you already have built-in rapport with them. Hopefully they already know you to be honest and trustworthy and, let’s be real here, they also know ways that you struggle. If you share your encounter with Jesus – the source of your hope and joy --- it makes the savior very real for them.
APPLY:
I’m fairly confident that as you sat in church during this series or while reading the devotions this week, God brought someone to your mind. Someone in your circle who needs the gift of the Gospel of Jesus.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for being our very real help in times of trouble. Now we ask for help in reaching someone in our own family or a friend in sharing the very real source of all of our joy – you. Amen.
CONTINUED READING:
Luke 8:26-39, John 5:1-15
WORSHIP: