Digging In.
Week #1: Digging Wells.
In this series we explore three aspects of digging deep, drawn from the story of Isaac in Genesis 26. He digs wells, builds an altar and pitches his tent. We believe God is calling each one of us to do the same: to dig deep in prayer, to build our own altars of worship and sacrifice, and to put down roots in the place of his blessing.
If we will take care of the depth in this way, he will take care of the breadth.
Then Abimelek said to Isaac, “Move away from us; you have become too powerful for us.”So Isaac moved away from there and encamped in the Valley of Gerar, where he settled. Isaac reopened the wells that had been dug in the time of his father Abraham, which the Philistines had stopped up after Abraham died, and he gave them the same names his father had given them. Isaac’s servants dug in the valley and discovered a well of fresh water there. But the herders of Gerar quarrelled with those of Isaac and said, “The water is ours!” So he named the well Esek, because they disputed with him. Then they dug another well, but they quarrelled over that one also; so he named it Sitnah.. He moved on from there and dug another well, and no one quarrelled over it. He named it Rehoboth, saying, “Now the Lord has given us room and we will flourish in the land.” From there he went up to Beersheba.
Genesis 26:16-23
‘Wells’ are a powerful metaphor for the flow of kingdom life, blessings and promises. The digging of wells can represent our prayer life, where we do the spiritual work to uncover and release God’s promises and blessing. In this passage, Isaac first unblocks ancient wells that belonged to his family, and then digs his own wells.
First, take a few minutes to all quietly re-read this passage on your own, noticing any words or phrases that really stand out to you, speak to you, grab your attention. Afterwards, go around and each share what stood out to you. (Do this without explanation of why you chose that word/phrase, and without group feedback or comment. E.g. just say, “wells of fresh water” or “flourish”, and then move on to the next person.)
Can you think of examples from Scripture or history where blessing and promise has flowed down a family line? Share these together.
Can you think of blessings and heritage from your own family line that have positively impacted your life? Share these with the group.
What wells of blessing and promise would you like to see unblocked (for you and/or your family)? What promises or blessings do you feel have been opposed or disputed by the Enemy, that you are contending for?
Do any of you have examples from your life, when you’ve kept digging and persevered in prayer, and reached breakthrough where a promise or blessing has been released, despite setbacks and opposition?
What well(s) is God calling you to dig in this season? What promise, blessing, or breakthrough are you going to dig deep in prayer for? Do you need renewed discipline, accountability, or resolve to do this? How can this group support you?
Pray for one another.
Pray together (in pairs or small groups) for each other.
