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The Symbolism of Living Water
In "Word Focus" Darrell Grim writes:
Rivers of living water (John 7:38). Each day of the Feast of Tabernacles the people came with palm branches to the Temple. They would hold the palms in the air and march around the great altar. While they did this, the priest would take a golden pitcher, which held about two pints, and fill it at the pool of Siloam. It was then carried back through the Water Gate as the people recited Isaiah 12:3 — “With joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.” The water was then poured on the altar as an offering to God. At that point the Hallel (Ps. 113 — 118) was sung. At specified points in the singing the people would raise their palm branches and shout to the Lord. On the last day of the feast they marched seven times around the altar in memory of their seven-day march around the walls of Jericho. It was in the midst of this symbolism that Jesus stood and proclaimed the true water of life.
Discussion: With this cultural background, how do you think the Jewish people "heard" Jesus' proclamation that He could provide them living water?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 34.
Teaching is Not Listening
Another extreme teachers may veer into, in their desire to encourage discussion and thought, is simply to allow their students to drive the lesson's conversation. Admittedly, this extreme may also be the result of the teacher's lack of preparation. They don't know what to say, so they just ask their students to say what's on their mind.
Regardless, this point might sound contradictory to what has been suggested in this quarter's previous tips. If teaching is not about lecturing and we need to encourage discussion, doesn't that mean listening? Furthermore, isn't it true that the teacher often feels like they learn more from the lesson than are able to teach their students?
The problem comes in the extreme; the teacher should guide the discussion at the least. Ideally, the teacher should have good understanding of the biblical principles in question and be able to help students replace worldly concepts, faulty reasoning, or uninformed thinking with God's truth.
Water from the Lord’s House
“Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar” (Ezekiel 47:1).
As a young Christian, I never wanted to miss a church service. I felt the need to be there for Sunday school, morning worship, the Sunday evening service, and Wednesday night prayer
meeting. In fact, it felt like I needed to be there all the time. Our pastor always encouraged us to be faithful to God’s house. He said that we would miss out on a blessing if we were not consistent in our attendance. How true! I found this out the few times that I was not there! Indeed, I had missed out on a blessing.
Ezekiel was led to follow the water coming out of God’s house. The further he went, the deeper the water became. Even so, the deeper we go with the Lord; the greater are the blessings from above, richer are the insights from His Word, and victorious are the spiritual battles which end with Christ at our side. He alone is the “water of life,” but it is up to us to step into the water. (James Baker)
Step into the water
Wade out a little bit deeper
Wet your feet in the water of His love
Step into the water
Wade out a little bit deeper
Come join angels singing praise to the Lamb of God
--L. Kirk Talley
Go deeper with Christ; He was lifted high for us.
This devotional is the Tuesday, April 5, 2016 entry of Opening the Word.
The Water of Life
Lesson 6 - April 10, 2016
Focus Text: John 4:7-14; 7:37-39; Revelation 7:15-17
Central Truth: The "living water" supplied by Christ abundantly satisfies the thirsty soul.
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to state how one can obtain the living water.
Lesson Outline:
- The Living Water (John 4:7-14)
- The Invitation to Drink (John 7:37-39)
- No More Thirst (Revelation 7:15-17)
Prayer – Lesson 5, The Price of Free Salvation
Heavenly Father, help our teachers to impress upon their students how great a price Jesus paid for our salvation. May we all then live in gratitude for His love! Amen.
The Shame of the Cross
In "Word Focus" Darrell Grim writes:
Bearing his cross (v. 17). It was the custom that four soldiers were detailed to each cross, and they were under the command of a centurion. The cross was usually carried by the one who would soon be nailed to it. In many cases his arms were tied to it. Normally they took the longest route and through the most crowded streets to attract the most public attention. This had a twofold purpose. First, it was a deterrent to others inclined to break the law. Second, it gave opportunity for anyone who had evidence in behalf of the condemned to come forth. Whether these customs were followed in the case of Christ’s crucifixion is unknown.
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2, KJV).
Discussion: As followers we are to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus. What does this say then about the "shame" we may endure as a result of carrying our cross for Jesus?
Source: Jesus, Son of God: Adult Teacher's Insights, page 28.