“That every man grow in his relationship with Jesus Christ through an effective men‘s

ministry in every congregation.”

 

This is an invitation for you to join in prayer each week with men throughout the ELCA at

noon on Wednesday... or when you are able. We are praying for revival/renewal for men

throughout the ELCA and beyond. This includes the men in your life, for the support of

ministry with men church wide.

 

John 4:5-26: 5 So he came to a town in Samaria called Sychar, near the plot of ground Jacob

had given to his son Joseph. 6 Jacob's well was there, and Jesus, tired as he was from the

journey, sat down by the well. It was about the sixth hour. 7 When a Samaritan woman came to

draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" 8 (His disciples had gone into

the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, "You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan

woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.[a])

10 Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink,

you would have asked him and he would have given you living water." 11 "Sir," the woman said,

"you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water?

12 Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself,

as did also his sons and his flocks and herds?" 13 Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks

this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks the water I give him will never

thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to

eternal life."  15 The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water so that I won't get

thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water." 16 He told her, "Go, call your husband

and come back." 17 "I have no husband," she replied.  Jesus said to her, "You are right

when you say you have no husband.  18 The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the

man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true." 19 "Sir,"

the woman said, "I can see that you are a prophet. 20 Our fathers worshiped on this mountain,

but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem."  21 Jesus

declared, "Believe me, woman, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on

this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship

what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come

when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind

of worshipers the Father seeks.  24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in

spirit and in truth." 25 The woman said, "I know that Messiah" (called Christ) "is coming.

When he comes, he will explain everything to us." 26 Then Jesus declared, "I who speak

to you am he."

 

Questions:  What is significant about this story taking place in Samaria? Why would

Jesus risk his reputation to ask a favor of this woman? Why does Jesus turn the conversation

to her personal life in vv 16-18? What aspects of Jesus conversation could you use as

a model for your discussions with searching friends?

 

(Scripture verses and questions from the Master Builders Bible for Men)

Our prayer for all of us as leaders is that our spiritual vision would be so clear

that we would see “Jesus only”.

 

Men, once again the purpose of these weekly encounters is to pray for renewal, and

revival in the church- beginning with men. Let us be relentless in our prayer that this

ministry will be one that supports that renewal/revival among men.

 

PLEASE PRAY:

     For the men in your life and beyond- that they might come to a

deeper relationship with Jesus.

     For our financial support, short term and long term as the need is critical right

now; so that we can do the ministry with men God has called us to do in empowering

congregations to reach men for Christ. 

     For events:

     The One Year to Live retreat and Coming of Age events being

developed by LMM.

o     The Lutheran Men’s Gathering in Omaha, August 1-3, 2008

     The LMM Executive Committee meeting this week and for the LMM

Board, the Young Men’s Ministry Council, the LMM Development Council and our synod and

congregational men’s leaders.

 

Finally- please pray that those of us in leadership keep our eyes fixed on Jesus.

Our focus is for men to have a growing relationship with Jesus.

 

On behalf of our leadership- thank you so much for your prayers! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doug Haugen

Director, Lutheran Men in Mission

Men's Ministry Specialist, EOCM

Doug.Haugen@elca.org

Phone: 773-380-2566

 

Kim Moseley

Administrative Assistant

Kimberley.Moseley@elca.org

Phone: 773-380-2595

Fax: 773-380-2588

www.elca.org/lmm

 

Lutheran Men in Mission/ELCA

8765 West Higgins Road

Chicago, IL 60631

 

If you would like to make a gift to LMM and honor someone who is important in your

life, you may do so by going to www.elca.org/lmm, clicking "ELCA Gift Basket", and

downloading a certificate with the individual's name on it.