The Power of Personal Discovery

Scripture – John 4:39-42: 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.”

Observation – (Write down what you see in the scripture.) What a picture! People from the town opened themselves to Jesus because of what the woman told them. They urged Him to stay with them. Through their direct dialogue with Him, “many more became believers.” They moved from belief based on what someone else said to belief grounded in their own experience of Christ. This is our hope in sharing our story with other people – that they would open themselves to Jesus and give Him a fair hearing. It’s not my job to argue with people or try to convince them that Christ is the “Savior of the world.” Rather, I can only tell my story and invite them to come and see what they can discover for themselves.

Application – (Write how you will be different today because of what you have just read.) I will be ready to talk with anyone about Christ today. I will pay attention to opportunities to do that, and I will use those opportunities to invite people to talk about spiritual matters.

Prayer – (Write out a brief prayer.) Thank you for being my life, Lord. Give me a sensitive spirit today as I encounter different people. Give me the best words and/or actions when I meet them. Use me as you wish this day.