Living Water (Pentecost Sunday Gospel A)

Download a printable PDF of the Word One Bible Study for the Pentecost Gospel.

Text: John 7:37-39 for Pentecost, Lectionary Series A

Theme

The Living Water is rooted in the Trinity—Father, Son and Holy Spirit

Objectives

Participants will:

• learn that Jesus will gift his disciples with the Holy Spirit when the time comes.
• learn that the timing of Jesus’ arrest and death has not yet come, but are near.
• discover that they have received the Living Water, (the Holy Spirit) through relationship with Jesus Christ.

 Materials Needed

Bible
Newsprint
Markers
Paper
Pencils/pens

Group Guidelines

If it’s a small group, do all the activities together. If you have more than 7 people, split up into groups of 3-4 for various activities. If there are additional adults, make sure each group has an adult in the group; otherwise oldest student is the group leader. Discuss in small groups (and write down answers using newsprint and markers) and then share in large groups to provide the opportunity for extended learning and understanding.

Building Community

Ask the following questions to introduce the theme of water:

• Why is water important?

1. It quenches our thirst.
2. It hydrates us.
3. It nourishes our bodies.
4. Other answers (have students brainstorm)
5. All of the above

• Have students discuss a time when they visited a body of water and what made it fun/memorable (Ex: Family trip to the ocean or lake, swimming in a creek, surfing, etc.…)
• Name some ways you have heard water connected with church and the Bible. Brainstorm in small groups and write down answers. Look up Bibles references to aid the discussion.

– Baptism (Water & the Word) – John 3:13-17

– Creation – Genesis 1:6-10     

– Earth flooded & God’s promise that it would not be again – Genesis 7:6, 9:11-12

– Fountain of life – Psalm 36:9

– Healing pool – John 9:7

– (If not shared, say this one last): Living Water

Leader: Today we are going to take a look at passage related to water, more specifically Jesus talking about Living Water.

Looking at God’s Word

Open your Bibles to John 7:32 – 39

Small groups will read the passage together and answer the following questions, writing answers on newsprint w/ markers or on paper with pens:

Read John 7:32 – 36

1. Who sent Jesus to earth?
2. Why wasn’t Jesus arrested?
3. Did the Jews understand what Jesus was talking about?

Read John 7:37 – 39

1. Can anyone follow Jesus, according to verse 37?
2. What did Jesus mean when he said, “If anyone is thirsty”? Did he mean it physically? Why or why not?
3. Who is Jesus’ audience when he talks about “rivers of living water will flow from within them”?
4. Are you included in this audience? Why or why not?
5. What does Living Water equal?
6. When will Jesus’ followers receive the Holy Spirit?

Reinforcing What Has Been Learned

Give students a few minutes to complete the following statements quietly. Share in small group.

• God sent His son, Jesus, for me because…
• My relationship with Jesus is important to me because…
• I see the Holy Spirit helping me every day when…
• When I am thirsty for God, I can…

Closing

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending your son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior and to help us when we are thirsty. Remind us of your gift of the Holy Spirit, which aids us in our daily desire to love and serve you. Amen.

By Emily Phoenix