I have one. I hope you have one. It’s the story of how our story intersects with Jesus. This is what we’ll be discussing at all our Family Church locations this Sunday as we consider the story of “The Woman at the Well.” (John 4: 4-42)
We like to make this encounter about all kinds of things. We point out how Jesus talked to a woman thus placing value on women in a culture that devalued them. Jesus does value women, but that’s not really the focus of this story. We point out how Jesus talked to a Samaritan—a half-breed—thus valuing people of all ethnicities. Jesus does value people of all ethnicities, but that’s not really the focus of this story either. We point out how Jesus reveals Himself as the source of living water that wells up to eternal life. Jesus definitely is our source of eternal life and that’s getting closer to the focus of the story. However, the real focus of the story—and what we’ll hone in on—is how this woman went and told her story.
Her life intersected with Jesus’ life and the impact was so great that she went back to her town, told her story, and “many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony…” (John 4:39) If we can point to a time when Jesus changed the course of our lives, then He wants us to go and tell others about it.
This is arguably our most powerful disciple-making tool. Honestly it’s why we’re here on this earth. We’re here because God wants us to open up our eyes and see the people around us who are living empty lives. He wants us to open up our hearts and build relational bridges with them. Then He needs us to open up our mouths and tell them our story in a way that helps them repent and believe Jesus’ story—how He died for our sins, was buried and raised to be our source eternal life. It’s this story that has the power to change people. Who do you know who needs to hear Jesus’ story in your story today?