- Through faith in Jesus, the Spirit dwells in us
- The character of Jesus is formed in us through the Spirit
- The lives of believers become life-giving rivers
Reflection Questions:
In your own words, describe the “thirst” Jesus is referring to in John 7:37? How does one “come to [him] and drink”?
In John 7:39, most modern translations use the word “believe” to translate forms of the Greek word πιστεύω, which is the verb form of the word often translated as “faith.”
What does it mean to “believe” or to do faith in Jesus?
In John 7:39, John explains that the drink/living water Jesus is referring to is the Holy Spirit, who would come after Jesus’ glorification (i.e., death and resurrection). Where in Scripture do you see this invitation come to fruition? Does this invitation apply to Christians today? Explain.
John tells his audience that Jesus spoke his invitation to “come and drink” on the last day of the feast, the great day. Jesus, has initially come to the festival in secret. But then he stands up and proclaims at the climactic moment of the celebration, the “great day,” when a dramatic water libation would have occurred in the temple, that those who thirst should come to him. What impact does the context of the festival have on how Jesus words would have been heard by those present? How does that context shape how we hear Jesus’ words?
What does it mean for the Spirit of God to be involved in our spiritual formation? How does this truth shape our experiences with pain, sorrow, and loss?
What does it mean for our lives to become life-giving rivers? How might our spiritual formation, both as individuals and as a community, shape us to be a blessing to world around us?
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