All of us have wounds and pain from the past and often think that these naturally hinder us from fulfilling God’s purpose for our lives. However, we need to redefine our understanding of who God considers to be an effective worker and missionary. Even in the midst of our pain and struggles, God can use us right where we are to connect others to their God purpose, but we must first opt for permanent healing and not temporary relief.

• Describe a physical childhood injury. Did you “hide” from treatment/healing?
• Our life-wounds make us better or bitter. I have:
  __ kept my pain inside
  __ complained about my pain
  __ sought help for my pain
  __ dealt with my pain and let God use it to heal others

Read John 4:1-42 & Philippians 3:13. The first step to being a wounded-healer is to leave the past behind. The woman that Jesus encountered at the well was definitely someone in need of healing from many deep wounds in her life. She so avoided people that she only came to the well in the heat of the day when no one else was around. However, she encountered Jesus who unconditionally accepted her but confronted her about her life and past. In verse 28, she takes that step, and leaves behind her isolated water jar and begins a new life in the community.

• Is it hard for you to leave the past behind you? Why or why not?
• Do you have a wound in your life that you need to leave behind? If you are comfortable sharing, tell about this wound.

Read John 8:32. The second thing we need to do is live with a new perspective. We must truly understand that our wounds, in the hands of God can become one of our major strengths. With God, even our greatest pain can become our greatest purpose. The woman at the well was set free by Jesus when she came clean with him about her past and used those past experiences to reveal Christ to others in her town. The same people she had purposely avoided out of pain, shame and/or guilt.

• Have you ever observed anyone who used their life struggles to help others? Explain.
• The woman at the well used her “story” as the message to bring others to Jesus. Have you ever told your story to someone who needed healing?

Read Mark 2:17. Once we experience personal transformation through Christ, it is our responsibility to lead others to this well that brings new life. Jesus came to help and heal the sick and we, being his hands and feet, are called to do the same. We are not called to manipulate or even persuade others to come to Jesus. We just need to let our life be an example of how Jesus came to us, took our wounds and set us free. That is the story that our friends, neighbors and the world really wants to hear and know.

• Name one person you know who needs Jesus, the Wounded Healer.
• How will you be a MISSIONARY to the person you’ve named?