#1353. LET’S DISCUSS THE GIFT AND THE GIFT-GIVER (24/9/25)
- Matt Beaney
- Sep 24
- 5 min read
Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (posted every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) as we begin our new vision series, Rivers.
In this account of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well, we see that evangelism means helping people to know both the gift of God and the gift-giver, and, so, let’s bring Him wisely into our conversations.
You can listen to this devotional below
‘”Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”’ (John 7:37–38)
Our vision, based on this text, is:
Bringing people to Jesus: Myself, One Another, Our Community.
This week we’re focussing on Our Community — our call to be missionaries wherever God has placed us. Today, let’s continue to learn from Jesus at the well:
'Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.” “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?” Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”’ (John 4:10-14)
1. Jesus moves the conversation to spiritual things
In response to her very practical question: “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (v.9) - Jesus shifts the conversation to spiritual realities. Having already surprised her with kindness and broken social barriers, He now turns to the deeper issue: her soul’s thirst.
This is the only time the word gift appears in the Gospels. It underlines grace. Jesus is teaching her, and us, that God’s grace is for all - even those who seem far off, hostile, or unlikely.
2. He talks about the gift of living water
Jesus exposes her ignorance of ‘the gift of God,’ which He describes as living water. This is a picture of the Spirit’s regenerating work - being ‘born of water and the Spirit’ (John 3:5), receiving the promised baptism with the Spirit (John 1:33).
She - religious though she may be - still needs new life in the Spirit. The same is true for everyone: no heritage, ritual, or self-effort can replace God’s gift.
3. He talks about Himself - the one who gives the gift
Jesus not only reveals the gift but also points to Himself as the gift-giver: “If you knew … who it is that asks you for a drink …”
He is the Messiah, the Christ, who alone gives the Spirit. John records this so that we too would know Jesus’ identity, know the gift He offers, and ask Him for it.
For us, this is also a lesson in evangelism: we need to know both the gift and the giver, and be ready to introduce people to both.
4. She changes the subject and Jesus changes it back
The woman quickly diverts back to natural concerns: “Sir … the well is deep … Are you greater than our father Jacob?” (vv.11–12). But Jesus won’t let the moment slip. He reasserts her need and His sufficiency:
‘“Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst … a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”’ (v.13–14)
Jesus brings her back to the truth she must face: her deepest thirst can only be satisfied in Him.
RESPONSE
Are you aware of the ‘wells’ in your life — the places and communities God has placed you as His missionary?
In our church we talk about SIV — Serve, Invest, Invite. Isn’t that exactly what Jesus models here? He serves with kindness, invests with time and conversation, and then invites her to receive the gift. How are you doing at serving, investing, and inviting?
Finally, remember: your own enjoyment of the gift of God and the gift-giver is the wellspring of your witness. Jesus promised rivers of living water would flow from within those who believe and come to Him. So, how are you doing at drinking deeply and delighting in Him today?
Community Group Notes
1. Notices
It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News.
2. Icebreaker
This may well be your first Community Group for some time so feel free to catch up and connect, as you feel is best.
Alternatively, you might want to use this starter:
How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?
3. Worship together
Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.
4. Study and pray together
Rivers, Vision Series, #3
On Sunday, we continued our vision series, Rivers. Our vision at CCP is:
Bringing people to Jesus: Myself, One Another, Our Community.
Our vision is derived from Jesus' invitation to come to Him from John 7:
'On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”' (John 7:37-38)
How does bringing 'myself' - our personal life of worship and studying God's Word - lead to filling and overflowing with the Spirit?
Our goals regarding this first - 'myself' - aspect are:
1. Daily devotion – We encourage every member to set aside quality time each day in prayer and worship, engaging with God through the Bible, and asking to be filled with the Holy Spirit. As a starting point, 20 minutes with the ‘Come to Jesus Daily’ Devotional (blog) can help establish this rhythm: https://www.communitychurchputney.com/biblestudy)
2. Word-sharing culture – In our Community Groups, our regular icebreaker is: “How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you?” This keeps God’s Word central and helps us encourage one another in daily devotion.
Prayer: Pray for one another, and for the church, to be a people whose personal relationship with Jesus reflects the worth and greatness of God.
How does bringing 'Myself' and 'One Another' to Jesus lead to bringing 'Our Community' to Jesus?
Our goals to help us to bring our community to Jesus are:
1. Keep evangelism at the heart of our groups – In every Community Group gathering, we will share, pray, and plan around how we are serving, investing, and inviting (SIV) our friends, neighbours, and community.
2. Focus together each month – At our monthly SIV Week, we will give special time to praying and planning how we can serve, invest, and invite more effectively.
3. Multiply for mission – We are committed to planting a new congregation in Roehampton, extending the reach of the gospel into this community.
4. Strengthen pathways to faith – In 2026, we will grow our Alpha ministry, making it our primary way of helping people explore Jesus and take steps of faith.
Prayer: Pray for one another and our church, that we would become more effective at 'SIV' (Serve, Invest and Invite) and pray that the fruit would be amazing Alpha Courses.
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