https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/family-devotions/20260529fam.mp3 Listen to Devotion Read: John 7:37-39 On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and called out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink! As the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from deep within the person who believes in me. John 7:37-38 (EHV) Drink Deeply In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Have you ever been SUPER thirsty after running outside, playing sports, or being out on a hot day? Nothing sounds better than a big, cold drink of water! When our bodies are thirsty, we need water to help us feel strong and healthy again. In our Bible reading today, Jesus said, “Come to me and drink.” Jesus was not talking about regular water in a cup or bottle. He was using a picture to teach something even more important. Jesus was talking about the things our souls need most—his love, forgiveness, peace, and eternal life. When you don’t drink enough water, your body suffers. You can get a headache; you can feel weak, tired, dizzy, or sick. Water is necessary for life. The same thing can happen to our souls. When we forget about Jesus or stay away from his Word, we can become spiritually weak. We may worry more, become angry more easily, forget God’s promises, or give in to temptation. Sometimes people even start to think they do not need Jesus at all. But we do need him every day! We do need Jesus. We need his love, his forgiveness, and for him to live with us! That is why Jesus lovingly invites everyone to come to him and “drink deeply.” We are filled with Jesus’ living water when we hear and read God’s Word, remember our Baptism, go to church, and learn about his promises. The Holy Spirit uses these gifts to refresh our hearts and strengthen our faith. Jesus does more than simply help us. His love also flows through us to other people. Think about a tiny stream that grows into a huge river, like the Mississippi River. Over 2,350 miles long, that small stream becomes something powerful that helps millions of people. In a similar way, the Holy Spirit quietly begins his work in you. As you are filled with the living water, it flows out of you to others. God uses you to make an impact on others that only he fully knows. In the same way, the Holy Spirit quietly works in us. As Jesus fills us with his love and forgiveness, that love begins to flow out to others. Maybe through your kindness, encouragement, prayers, sharing, or helping, God is using YOU to make a difference in someone’s life. Even if we cannot always see it, God can. Remember Jesus’ invitation: “Come to me and drink.” Jesus gives the living water that lasts forever. Prayer: Dear Jesus, at times we forget to go to you for what we really need. Forgive us and send your Holy Spirit to us that we are filled with the living water you give us. Amen. The questions below are to help families discuss this devotion. The questions are divided by age group as suggestions, but anyone could reflect on any of the questions as they desire. Questions for Younger Children What do you like to drink when you are really thirsty? Who gives us what we need for our bodies and souls? Questions for Elementary Age Children What did Jesus mean when he said, “Come to me and drink”? What are some ways God fills us with “living water”? Questions for Middle School and Above Discuss a time in your life when you became “thirsty” and needed to be filled with Jesus’ living water. How did God use that time to help you turn to him? Download Family Devotions Family Devotions are brought to you by WELS Discipleship. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.
