John 4:7-14 (NLT)
Soon a Samaritan woman came to draw water, and Jesus said to her, “Please give me a drink.” He was alone at the time because his disciples had gone into the village to buy some food.
The woman was surprised, for Jews refuse to have anything to do with Samaritans. She said to Jesus, “You are a Jew, and I am a Samaritan woman. Why are you asking me for a drink?”
Jesus replied, “If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water.”
“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water? And besides, do you think you’re greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us this well? How can you offer better water than he and his sons and his animals enjoyed?”
Jesus replied, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”
We are all different. Different people. Different backgrounds. Different flaws. Different gifts. Different addictions. You get the picture…
Because we are different, our recoveries and the aspects that make them up can also be very different. Twelve Steps works for some people. While others find healing in the Biblical principles. Like Jesus Himself, we cannot assume our recovery is going to fit in a nice little box or be exactly like another man’s who is sitting across the table from you. Jesus learned and shared the Gospel using different methods so that all might find hope. Remember how you came to know Christ (or at least heard of Him)? Maybe it was because you saw someone living it out in front of you. Perhaps you have witnessed colorful pictures during a Sunday School lesson. Maybe you heard somebody use His name in an explicative laced tirade. Perhaps you saw His battered visage on the "Passion of the Christ" film. However you came to know him, it’s not likely it's exactly the same as those around you.
Geared toward all things musical, Caleb found Jesus first in music. And it was in this avenue the Lord drew Caleb to himself and how He continued to speak to him. While Caleb listened and actively participated in Bible studies, it was Doug Hallock and Broken Band’s album we have in the meeting room which helped Caleb grow the most in his time with us. Doug Hallock is a former alcoholic and addict who the Lord cleaned up, inspired musically, and sent out to share the hope Jesus offers. Though his gritty music and gut wrenching lyrics, he does just that. And he does so effectively.
Caleb would come to me apologetic that he was able to draw more from one Hallock song than from our study. I reassured him that not only was this okay, it was great! I even encouraged him to begin writing his own story through music. (He, like Doug, was also a gifted guitarist). God doesn’t always speak through a cookie-cutter, step-study type of Bible study. He is the Creator, and as such, creatively speaks to us and enables us to use own creativity to share His love with others. Praise God for His love for creativity and diversity!
Discussion Questions:
1. List some “outside-of-the-box” ways the LORD has spoken to you?
2. What are some creative ways in which you can share the Gospel with others?
3. Are there any untapped talents or passions within you that can be used for the glory of GOD?
