What does Jesus say about Relationship as the key to discipleship

Day 17

What does Jesus say about Relationship as the key to discipleship

Text: John 4:7-10

Topic: 

 

INTRODUCTION:

The bible recorded that our God is good, and everywhere He is, the act of doing good is His priority. Jesus met with the Samaritan woman by the well to reveal to her who He was and for the woman to receive light into her life. Furthermore, making disciples is essential to our Lord, and we remember Zacchaeus, who was singled out of the multitude, Luke 19. Also, In the act of relationship, Jesus reached out to the children by saying, let them come to me and do not hinder them, Matt. 19:14. As I said, making disciples through good relationships is paramount to our Lord, and He expects us to do the same as we check some of the methods He used.

 

LIFE LESSONS 

 

1. Starting a conversation may be difficult, especially with a stranger. In this scenario, Jesus was not only a stranger but of a different tribe than the woman. In verse ten of our text, the woman says,” how can you ask me for a drink? (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans)”. Jesus opened the conversation with the woman by starting up through the exercise the woman was performing, “will you give me a drink.” Jesus’ question made Him relate well with the woman.
2. Jesus chose a better time to speak with the Samaritan woman; our text says, “His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.” Jesus chose to talk with the woman in private because He knew her more than how she knew herself. From asking for water to drink to digging deep into her personal life, all was done by choosing a better time.
3. Jesus did not make disciples through good relationships by being stagnant. In verse 4 of the text’s chapter, the bible recorded that Jesus was passing through Samaria. It indicated that our Lord was in transit when he chose to relate with the woman, which later opened the opportunity for the town of Sychar to be saved.

 

LIFE APPLICATIONS 

 

1. Jesus’ disciples are expected to always act like Him, even when relating to others about them being a disciple of Jesus. Good disciples must be welcoming. We must have soothing words and a good sense of approach. Jesus knew all about the woman, but He did not commence His conversation from the point of her weakness. Also, we must be focused because discouraging words may be spoken by the other party while building the relationship. We need the holy spirit always to guide us.
2. An adage says,” not all clothes can be sun-dried,” meaning that not all matters can be displayed in public. Timing is another essential factor to watch out for when building a relationship for discipleship. We should know when to speak, when to keep mute, what to say, and to whom we speak.
3. In making relationships for discipleship, we must be dynamic. There should be no stagnancy, and sometimes when the task costs us, to deprive ourselves of certain things like our time, resources, and comfort.

 

LESSON OF THE DAY:

Our responsibility as disciples is always to make good disciples through our acts, words of mouth, looks, and steps. 1 Cor 10:31