Jesus showed two important ingredients in creative communication; a listening ear and a sensitive spirit. Water is the subject Jesus and the Samaritan woman had in common, but Jesus creatively moves the conversation to her spiritual need.  He put the statement in a way that allowed her to ask questions and want to know more.  

When it comes to salesmanship, Dale Carnegie advised to find a common interest in which others are interested.  Jesus shared the good news in many situations discussing gardening, fishing, sports, food, and parties.  Creative communication is taking what people are interested in and opening the door for inquiry about the Lord.  Jesus moved the conversation from physical thirst to the spiritual thirst. He revealed the real thirst in her life was looking for love that satisfies. She really needed God not another man.    

She changed the subject to religion. It was easier to talk about religion than her personal needs. She wanted to know whose religion was the best - Jews or Samaritan?  Which was the best mountain to worship on? 

Sometimes people change the subject.  Jesus saw the deeper need and brought the subject back to the Messiah.      

Maybe people are not interested in the gospel. Maybe after telling the importance of following Christ, the one we are visiting with is not interested. Jesus had people rejecting His message.  We need to be aware that people are not rejecting us, they are rejecting Jesus. The rich young ruler went away sad, Judas, one of the 12, turned away.  There were two thieves on the cross.  One wanted nothing to do with Jesus, the other was in paradise.                 

But for the Samaritan woman to properly respond to Jesus, she needed to know something.   She knew she was a sinner. What she didn’t know was, God could fill the longing of her heart by receiving Jesus.           

I remember a minister telling me what he does in meeting new people. It was helpful. He said he uses the FORM method. First, he asks about F-family.  That is always easy to talk about.        

Second, the conversation moves to O-occupation. What jobs have they worked? What did they like?

Third, he inquiries about R-Recreation. What hobbies or interests do they have?

Last, he moves to the M-Message. The Message is Jesus Christ. It might be a follow up with how to relieve stress. It might be to discuss their church or experiences with religion. But often ends up with, “Can I tell you what brings peace to my heart?”

Dr. James Kennedy asked people, “If you were to die and go to heaven and God were to ask you why should He let you in, what would you say?” Based on their response he usually asked, “Can I tell you how I would answer that?”  “We are sinners. Jesus died for our sins to pay the punishment that sin deserves. He rose from the dead and offers us salvation by believing in Him and following Him.”

Application:  The Holy Spirit needs to be the one to convince any one of their need for Christ, but they first need to hear.

Prayer:   Lord God, gracious Father, give me a sensitive spirit and a listening ear.  Help me to consider others better than myself and see them through your eyes.  

Dale.