#1354. GIVE ME THIS WATER (26/9/25)
- Matt Beaney
- 6 days ago
- 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 how Jesus brings people to Himself — who then go on to share Him with others. This is our model, and how a movement of the gospel begins.
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, as a church is:
Bringing people to Jesus: Myself, One Another, Our Community.
This week we’re focusing on Our Community — our call to be missionaries wherever God has placed us. Our vision flows from Jesus’ invitation in John 7:37–39, where He promises living water that will overflow into others. Today, in John 4, we see this promise worked out in the life of this Samaritan woman - and her community - who encounter Jesus.
1. Jesus reveals her sin
'The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.” He told her, “Go, call your husband and come back.” “I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband. The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.”’ (John 4:15-17)
At first, like Nicodemus, she takes Jesus literally — and perhaps even playfully. But Jesus shakes her out of superficial thinking by putting His finger on her deepest need: her sin. He brings conviction.
Notice that Jesus does this through Spirit-given knowledge (a word of knowledge). Even in His humanity, He ministered in dependence on the Spirit. That’s good news for us, because the same Spirit equips us to serve in everyday situations.
This reminds us to live in a naturally supernatural way: engaging in normal conversation, taking interest in people, and then, as the Spirit leads, moving to deeper matters. Ultimately, only the Spirit can bring conviction of sin (John 16:8), but He often uses our words and witness. In our permissive age, are we willing to be the “salt and light” Jesus calls us to be — even when that means speaking hard truths?
2. Many receive the living water
Wonder of wonders, Jesus’ challenging words led her and many in her community to faith; the story goes on to say:
'...Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did."... 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.” (John 4:39, 42)
The woman first recognises Jesus as a prophet, but He then makes it clear: He is the Messiah, the promised Saviour. That revelation changes everything.
She cannot keep this to herself. She runs to her community, leaving her water jar behind — the symbol of her old life — to tell others about Jesus. And many believe because of her testimony.
This is how the promise of John 7:37–39 is worked out:
“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
Her thirst was quenched, and immediately, living water began to flow out to others. That’s how it’s meant to work: no Christian is saved just for themselves. We are saved so that the Spirit’s life may overflow through us into our families, friendships, and communities.
Response
Can you recall your own conversion? Who did God use to bring you to Himself?
Are you prepared to share the hope you have received - even in simple, ordinary ways?
Are you willing to plant small seeds, like Jesus did here - starting conversations, asking questions, serving in unnoticed ways - trusting that God can use these to bring about great, community-transforming change?
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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