Jesus The Source of Living water Copyrighty © 2016 World Vision Zambia Layout & Print by Mission Press - Ndola, Zambia www.missionpress.org Foreword Men’s evil manners live in brass, their virtues We write in water. William Shakespeare. According to Lamin Sanneh, water plays a prominent and providential role in the great narrative sweep of God’s redemptive acts in creation and in all of life. In the phase following the creation of the heaven and the earth the Spirit of God “moved upon the face of the earth.” (Gen. 1:2) The gathering of the waters into one place became the seas, and the seas brought forth abundant life to complete one creation cycle. Eventually, in the form first of vapor and then of rain and streams that “watered the whole face of the earth” vegetable life appeared to support life, including the creation of human life. (Gen. 2:5-8) In the course of the Israelite’s journey through the desert they were in dire need of water and complained thus to Moses for an answer. Moses’ confidence in the promises of God, led him to strike the rock at Horeb with his rod as he was commanded, and water gushed out. It was proof, Moses testified, that “the Lord is among us.” (Exod. 17:7; Ps 78:20; Is. 33:16; Is. 48:21) This significant episode was enough to serve as a symbol of God’s faithfulness, especially when circumstances are dire and unpromising. (Deut.8:16) Water is so important and essential in the very existence of every living thing. This is the reason that drives World Vision to ensure that every child, household, community, school and health facility receives clean and sustainable water supply, sanitation and hygiene. Jesus said, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, “Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.” (Jn. 7:38) The needy are exhorted to come to the waters to quench their thirst (Is. 55:1), an indication here of the spiritual power of water. The inherent relationship of water as a physical and spiritual good forms the basis of the development of this—Jesus: The Source of Living Water. Jesus: The Source of Living Water is an effective tool in holistic transformation development aimed at the sustained wellbeing and spiritual nurture of children. The booklet integrates biblical teachings into WASH to provide material for use at household level in behavioral change that enhances a clean and safe natural environment for a healthy child. The provision of clean water, a good sanitary environment is integrated with the Scripture teachings about Jesus Christ who is the source of living water and subsequently assists to meet both the physical and spiritual needs of a child, family and community. The latter is intended to help the communities appreciate another angle of vision to natural water; the eternal perspective associated with it, to a resource they have always used for generations. Jesus: The Source of Living Water English edition was first produced in Zambia in 2012 with financial support from Zambia’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Program. Prior to its implementation the booklet was pre-tested and piloted in a few ADPs before its roll out in two communities in the Southern part of the country. The impact was so great that there was a need to scale up its implementation in other communities in Zambia, the Southern Africa Region and beyond. However, at a meeting of stakeholders in Choma in March, 2015, the partners who attended the Christian Commitments and WASH integration Learning Event Jesus Source of Living Water i agreed to strengthen the material and consider making translations to meet the needs of communities whose mother language is not English. Ever since, there have been translations in Ci-Chewa, Ci-Tonga and French and plans are underway to include other languages within the region and introduce audio products for children in our communities. The revised booklet is user-friendly for both facilitators and learners since lessons are grouped according to specific age- ranges of beneficiaries. Facilitators and learners will find it easy to use owing to its compliance to age-appropriateness of a cross -section of community children, youth and adults. The booklet is further delineated according to related themes on water, sanitation and hygiene with further sub-divisions on salvation, spiritual growth, faith, kingdom values, hospitality and healing. Each lesson has an apt illustration of the story under discussion and a provision for an exercise for children to do to help put the lessons into practice. The practical part of the lessons inculcate in children and communities alike ways of preserving water, protecting water points and learning how to share it with others who may not have access to it. This booklet is designed to be used at various community-led activities by a trained cadre of community members. Church leaders can apply lessons for their church members while children will access its lessons through trained Sunday/Sabbath School teachers. This is also a resource for WASH Clubs in schools and in communities where Good News Clubs are available. It is also handy for hygiene promotors; pastors will find it useful for public ministry at community gatherings where water wells are drilled. For others, this is suitable material for ministry at water points where women, girls and other community members meet to draw water. Water as a priceless element of life is an appropriate symbol of the priceless salvation God has obtained for us through Jesus, The Source of Living Water. We thank everyone who contributed to the development and revision of the booklet especially Joyce Kaoma, Zambia Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) Director. Dr. Emmanuel Opong, Regional Director, WASH, and Wampembe Lukonde, Christian Commitments Manager, World Vision Zambia. February, 2016 ii Jesus Source of Living Water Table of Contents Contents Foreword .................................................................................................................................................................... i All Ages WATER and SALVATION Lesson 1: A place where you don’t hunger or thirst ......................................................................................2 Lesson 2: Fishers of men .......................................................................................................................................4 Lesson 3: God promises to cleanse the Israelites ...........................................................................................7 Lesson 4: How can a man be born again?..........................................................................................................9 Lesson 5: Jesus is baptized ..................................................................................................................................11 Lesson 6: Naaman follows God’s instructions .................................................................................................13 Lesson 7: The Samaritan woman finds the Living Water. ..............................................................................15 Lesson 8: Set free from the waterless pit ........................................................................................................18 Lesson 9: Sins thrown in the depth of the sea ...............................................................................................20 Lesson 10: Springs without water .....................................................................................................................22 Lesson 11: The experience of hell .....................................................................................................................24 SALVATION Lesson 12: Jesus, the Light of the world ..........................................................................................................27 Lesson 13: The bronze serpent ..........................................................................................................................29 Lesson 14: The paralyzed man ............................................................................................................................31 Lesson 15: Washing of your sins ........................................................................................................................33 Lesson 16: Which part of you is clean? ............................................................................................................35 Lesson 17: Zacchaeus receives his salvation. ..................................................................................................37 WATER and GROWTH Lesson 18: Being well watered ...........................................................................................................................40 Lesson 19: Hungry and thirsty for God ...........................................................................................................42 Lesson 20: Returning to the Lord .....................................................................................................................44 Lesson 21: Reviving your spirit ..........................................................................................................................46 Jesus Source of Living Water iii Lesson 22: Thirsting for God like a deer .........................................................................................................48 Lesson 23: Water as a symbol of spiritual growth ..........................................................................................50