Small Group Discussion January 4, 2023

Praises and Prayer Requests

Key Moments of Water and Regeneration Through the Scripture

What do these passages and stories teach us about God and how God works in our lives?

Creation and the Spirit over Water (Genesis 1:1-2)

Genesis 1:1–2 ESV

1 In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

The Bible begins with the Spirit of God hovering over the waters during creation, symbolizing the start of life and the presence of God in the act of creation.

The Great Flood and Noah's Ark (Genesis 6-9)

The story of Noah's Ark, where a great flood cleanses the earth of its wickedness, represents a form of regeneration and a new beginning for humanity and creation.

Moses and the Parting of the Red Sea (Exodus 14:21-22)

The Israelites' escape from Egypt through the parted Red Sea symbolizes deliverance and salvation, marking a new chapter in their history.

Joshua Crossing the Jordan River (Joshua 3:14-17)

As the Israelites enter the Promised Land by crossing the Jordan River, the event represents a transition to a new phase of God’s promises.

Ezekiel's Vision of the Healing Waters (Ezekiel 47:1-12)

Ezekiel’s vision of water flowing from the temple, bringing life wherever it goes, symbolizes spiritual renewal and the restorative power of God.

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman at the Well (John 4:10-14)

Jesus speaks of offering “living water” that leads to eternal life, highlighting the spiritual regeneration that comes through Him.

Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13-17)

Jesus' baptism in the Jordan River represents the beginning of His public ministry and symbolizes the purification and preparation for a new life.

Teaching on Baptism and Regeneration

Matthew 28:19 ESV

19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

: Commissioning the disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Romans 6:3–4 ESV

3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

: Paul talks about baptism as a symbol of death to sin and rising to new life in Christ.

1 Peter 3:20-21: The symbolism of Noah's ark and baptism as an appeal to God for a clear conscience.

1 Peter 3:20–21 ESV

20 because they formerly did not obey, when God’s patience waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through water. 21 Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,

Revelation and the River of Life (Revelation 22:1-2)

Revelation 22:1–2 ESV

1 Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb 2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

God loves to use chaos and cleansing to show His power to renew. How do these passages encourage you to see God working in your lives?

The Way Water Works in the Bible

The theme of water in the Bible follows certain thematic rules or motifs that recur throughout the scripture. These rules help us understand the significance of water in the biblical narrative and its symbolic meaning. Here's an outline of these thematic rules:

Water as a Symbol of Creation and Life

Water is often presented as a foundational element of creation and a source of life. In Genesis, the Spirit of God hovers over the waters at the beginning of creation (Genesis 1:1-2), signifying the birth of life.

Water as a Means of Cleansing and Purification

Throughout the Bible, water is used symbolically for cleansing and purification, both physically and spiritually. This is seen in various laws and rituals of the Old Testament (e.g., Leviticus) and in the practice of baptism in the New Testament (e.g., Matthew 3:11, Acts 22:16).

Water as a Tool for Divine Judgment and Salvation

Water is used by God as a means of judgment and salvation. The story of Noah's Ark (Genesis 6-9) is a prime example where the floodwaters bring judgment upon the earth but also act as an agent of salvation for Noah and his family.

Water as a Representation of Chaos and Danger

In biblical literature, large bodies of water sometimes symbolize chaos, danger, or evil forces. For instance, the Red Sea represents a barrier and threat to the Israelites before it is parted by God (Exodus 14:21-22).

Water as a Metaphor for Spiritual Nourishment

Water is used metaphorically to represent spiritual sustenance and eternal life, particularly in the teachings of Jesus. For example, Jesus speaks of offering “living water” to the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:10-14), which symbolizes eternal life through Him.

Water as a Sign of God’s Presence and Blessing

The presence of water, especially in arid regions, is seen as a sign of God's blessing and provision. This is evident in the Psalmist’s imagery of being led beside still waters (Psalm 23:2) and in prophetic visions like Ezekiel’s river flowing from the temple (Ezekiel 47:1-12).

Water as a Boundary and a Pathway

Water often marks significant transitions and boundaries in the biblical narrative. The crossing of the Jordan River by the Israelites into the Promised Land (Joshua 3:14-17) is an example of water serving as a boundary to a new phase of God's plan.

Water in Eschatological Visions

In the eschatological (end times) context, water is seen as a part of the new creation, free from chaos and death. The vision in Revelation of the river of life flowing from the throne of God (Revelation 22:1-2) exemplifies this theme.