Life in the Son

On the last day of the feast, the greatest day, Jesus stood up and shouted out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. Just as the scripture says, ‘From within him will flow rivers of living water.’” – Jesus of Nazareth

Introduction

The Christian life begins with God’s amazing grace—God’s undeserved kindness toward us in Jesus Christ. Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are completely forgiven, brought into peace with God (reconciled to Him), welcomed into His family, and given the Holy Spirit who now lives in us (Romans 8:9; 1 Cor 3:16).

Jesus describes the life-giving presence of the Spirit as “rivers of living water” flowing from within those who come to Him and drink. In this session, we will explore the secure standing God’s grace gives us and the new life His Spirit creates within us.

Prayerful Meditation

Read the following Bible passages slowly and prayerfully. As you read:

• Ask the Lord to give you greater light and understanding.

• Notice anything that encourages, warns, troubles, or strengthens you.

• Consider what each passage teaches you about God, yourself, and the life of faith.

• Ask yourself: “How should I live differently because these things are true?”

God’s Love for Us & Our Trust in Him

1 John 4:10 – “In this is love: not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins.”

Consider:

1. According to this verse, where does our salvation begin—with our love for God or His love for us?

2. How does knowing that God loved you first strengthen your trust in Him?

3. What does Christ’s atoning sacrifice reveal about both the seriousness of sin and the greatness of God’s love? (“To atone” refers to Jesus’ sacrificial death to pay the penalty of our sin)

John 5:24 – “I tell you the solemn truth, the one who hears my message and believes the one who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned, but has crossed over from death to life.”

Consider:

1. What does ‘crossed over from death to life’ tell you about your relationship with God?

2. What does Jesus say is already true of the person who believes in Him?

3. How should this assurance affect the way you approach God?

Amazing Grace & Rivers of Living Water

Amazing Grace — Romans 5:1–5

As you read Romans 5:1-5 below, notice (1) our present standing through Christ, (2) our future hope of sharing in God’s glory, and (3) God’s present work of forming us through suffering and assuring us of His love through the Holy Spirit.

5:1 “Therefore, since we have been declared righteous by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 5:2 through whom we have also obtained access into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory. 5:3 Not only this, but we also rejoice in sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 5:4 and endurance, character, and character, hope. 5:5 And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”

Rivers of Living Water — John 7:37–39

As you read John 7:37-39, notice (1) the thirst Jesus invites us to bring to Him, (2) His call to come, believe, and drink, and (3) His promise that the Holy Spirit will become like rivers of living water within those who believe.

7:37 “On the last day of the feast, the greatest day, Jesus stood up and shouted out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me, and 7:38 let the one who believes in me drink. Just as the scripture says, ‘From within him will flow rivers of living water.’” 7:39 (Now he said this about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were going to receive, for the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.)”

Food for Thought

Through faith in Jesus Christ, we have been declared righteous and now have peace with God. Our sins are forgiven, condemnation has been removed, and we stand securely in God’s grace rather than trying to earn His acceptance. God welcomes us as His sons and daughters and brings us into His household. We are no longer strangers and outsiders but members of His family, with Christ as the cornerstone on whom His family is built (Galatians 4:4–7; Ephesians 2:19–20).

We already stand in grace, possess peace with God, and have received the Holy Spirit. Yet we still await the fullness of God’s glory and our complete transformation. Even suffering becomes part of God’s transforming work as He produces endurance, proven character, and hope within us.

The Holy Spirit assures us of God’s love and brings the life of Christ to us. He awakens new desires, strengthens us to trust and obey Christ, and progressively forms Christ’s character within us. Christ therefore answers our deepest thirst not only by forgiving us but also by giving us His Spirit—the Lord and Giver of Life—whose life and love increasingly overflow through us for the blessing of others and the glory of the Father. You may not feel different every day; God’s promise does not depend on the strength of your feelings.

Personal Reflection

1. Which truth in Romans 5:1–5 most strengthens your confidence in God’s grace, and why?

2. Where do you especially need God’s help today? What would you like to bring to Him in prayer?

“Now This Is Eternal Life”

Jesus says, “Now this is eternal life—that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you sent” (John 17:3)

Through faith in Christ, we now enjoy a real relationship with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. As we reflect on God’s Word and bring our longings to Him in prayer, the Spirit teaches us to delight in Christ and cry out, “Abba! Father!” He transforms us so that His life and love – the rivers of living water - increasingly flow through us to others, bringing glory to our heavenly Father.

• Begin each day with this simple prayer:

“Abba, Father, thank You that I belong to You through Your Son. By Your Spirit, help me see and delight in Christ, trust and obey Him, and let Your life flow through me for the good of others and the glory of Your name.”

• Commit Galatians 4:6 to memory. Review it often and reflect on its truth each day:

“And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls, ‘Abba! Father!’”