Pass the water?

 

Jesus declared that he would give "living water" to anyone who asked for it (Jn 7). The metaphor of refreshment and nourishment seems foreign to modern Christianity which seems more interested in punishing and judging. Are you offering to bring people to the living water, or are you passing judgement instead? 

BePoorNoMore campaign

Christians argue about ministering to those in need of food or other physical assistance. It might be tempting to abdicate caring for either the physical or spiritual needs by focusing on one or the other. Jesus managed to feed over 5000 people and still deliver spiritual teaching (Jn 6). Do you focus on either of the spiritual or physical needs to the exclusion of other needs?

Healing the Nobleman's child

John 4 tells of a 'nobleman' who asks Jesus to come heal his sick child. The nobleman must have been surprised when Jesus asked for nothing in return, and declared the child was now healed. The nobleman demonstrated faith by taking Jesus at his word and not pressing for more details. The man returned to his home to find the child was healed as Jesus said. How can you demonstrate a similar faith?

How much do I trust you?

While professing faith in Christ is the cornerstone of identifying as a "Christian" many of us struggle with what that faith means or how it looks in everyday life. Is our faith as evident as the nobleman in John 4? When Jesus told the nobleman that his son had been healed, the nobleman believed enough to leave Jesus and go his son (John 4). Do have enough faith to trust Christ with your doubts?

Jesus knew her, really knew her

​

In John 4, Jesus encounters a woman who had been married several times. Unlike many of us, Jesus did not judge her for her many marriages, and did not implore her to 'sin no more' as he did in other stories. Jesus demonstrated that he knew this woman, really knew her, and was willing to help her. Do you find it easier to judge or get to know those who seem very different? 

Here to condemn you

 

One of the most attractive and amazing themes of the Bible is that the perfectly holy God who created us came to earth to save us instead of to condemn us (John 3). Being a Christian means personally demonstrating this kind of love and care to the world. Are you busy condemning the world, or are you bringing the good news of God's love and redemption?  

Nicodemus seems reluctant

 

The Jewish teacher, Nicodemus, seemed to reject Christ's teaching on the need for a second birth (John 3). The quick dismissal of an obvious metaphor might lead us to believe that Nicodemus wasn't really open to new ideas like those Christ was presenting. Do you find some of Christ's hard to accept?