Word of Mouth Evangelism

By Danny Saavedra

“Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, ‘He told me everything I ever did.’ So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. And because of his words many more became believers. They said to the woman, ‘We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.’” John 4:39–42 (NIV)

Research shows the most effective form of marketing is word of mouth. In fact, according to Nielsen research conducted a few years back, “92% of consumers believe recommendations from friends and family over all forms of advertising.” Today, we’ll read about an amazing example of this put into action. 

During Jesus’ ministry, He had countless conversations with eternal implications. One of the most captivating was this one with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well. To review, John 4:4 (NIV) states, “Now he had to go through Samaria.” Again, Jesus didn’t have to go through Samaria as many Jewish people avoided this route to avoid contact with Samaritans, whom they considered enemies. However, He took this route because He knew He needed to have this conversation. A few days ago, we called it a divine appointment.

In John 4:16–18, Jesus reveals she was a woman of poor reputation, married five times, and living with a man that wasn’t her husband. No wonder she avoided others. When people saw her, they probably saw nothing more than a scarlet letter. But not Jesus! Instead, He offered her living water and revealed Himself as the Messiah. At that moment, she received the living water, trusting in Jesus, who saw through to her heart and the truth of her sin and then offered her grace and salvation. And while she likely didn’t fully understand it, she was ready to receive Him. 

Next, she went back into town and told everyone about Jesus. And because of her testimony, many came to Him and believed. In her brief encounter with Jesus, she was able to find the love of God through Jesus Christ—the love that fills and satisfies us; that overflows from us and pours out of us. And she went into her town and poured out all that Christ had just poured into her as she shared the story of how Jesus had changed her, and the people saw and believed. Now that’s word of mouth! 

We live in the Apple, YouTube, and Google age, where you can basically find anything on the Internet you want to buy, know about, watch, or study and yet millions don’t know about Christ. They don’t know who He is, what He came to do, or the living water He offers. But we do! And we, the Church, have been called, commissioned, and commanded to bring the message of the gospel—the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ—to the people in our town, so they might say to us, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” 

I pray this week studying John 4 has opened your eyes about our call to follow the example of this Samaritan sister in Christ!

Pause: Think about the last person you told about Jesus, how did it make you feel? You could have been a planter of the seed or the one who watered it to help it grow. And if they came to Christ because of your witnessing to them, you were the one who gathered in what was sown.

Practice: Start by asking God to put someone in your path and give you the boldness to open your mouth. You may be amazed at what God does through you. 

Pray: Holy God, You know their heart and what they need to hear to give You their heart and life. Speak through the Spirit of truth in me I pray. Amen!