PURSUE LIFE

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.” -- John 10:10 NLT

WARM-UP

Lying and cheating to get ahead has been happening as long as competitive games and organized sports have been around—baseball players steal signs, long-distance runners take shortcuts, weightlifters use performing-enhancing drugs, basketball players tug on jerseys, and the list goes on and on.

Sometimes the outcome can be minor and result in a “slap on the wrist.” Other times, cheating can lead to the loss of income, the stripping of achievements, and public shame. Even worse, cheating or cutting corners can cause long-term physical, emotional, relational, and even spiritual damage.

WORKOUT

Looking for Love

For most, if not all of us, one of the key components to having a good life is experiencing love. We desire the many aspects of love—from our family, friends, significant other. 

Relational love can be found all throughout the Bible. But perhaps no story better captures the spirit of that pursuit and its potential downfall than the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman found in John 4:10.

In those times, Jewish people did not associate with Samaritans. Yet, Jesus sat next to a well when this Samaritan woman approached to get some water. Much to her surprise, Jesus asked her if she could get him a drink. Why would He do this?

‘If you only knew the gift God has for you and who you are speaking to, you would ask me, and I would give you living water’ (v. 10).

Still struggling to understand, the woman had more questions to which Jesus replied:

‘Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life’ (v. 13-14).

That’s when things got really interesting.

‘Please, sir,’ the woman said, ‘give me this water! Then I’ll never be thirsty again, and I won’t have to come here to get water.’

‘Go and get your husband,’ Jesus told her.

‘I don’t have a husband,’ the woman replied. Jesus said, ‘You’re right! You don’t have a husband— for you have had five husbands, and you aren’t even married to the man you’re living with now. You certainly spoke the truth!’ (vv. 15-18)

Just like athletes who cut corners or employ an “at all costs” mentality, the Samaritan woman found herself jumping from one relationship to the next and making objectional choices in hopes of experiencing real love and real life.

Jesus understood exactly what was going on inside her heart. He knew that despite all of her attempts, she had never found that one thing that truly made her feel life. Jesus was there to show her that true life and true love could be found in a relationship with Him.

Q: The Samaritan woman was looking for fulfillment in life through relationships. In what ways can you relate?

Q: What do you think Jesus meant when He told her He would give her “living water?”

WRAP-UP

Q: What are some things athletes might do while pursuing the goals that are actually unhealthy, unethical, or harmful to themselves or others? How can they change them for the better?

Q: How would you feel if you achieved all of your goals but ended up causing trouble along the way?