Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 7
Sam hid the YouVersion “verse of the day on the sly” because of Christina’s aversion to religion, yet said Scripture was “water on parched lips” and the biggest drawing card back; what does this suggest about how God uses the Word even through weak, compromised steps, and how should that reshape the way you view “small” spiritual habits?
Another way to ask: Sam secretly read the verse of the day, and God used Scripture to pull him back. What does that show about God using His Word even through small, imperfect steps, and how should it change how you view “small” spiritual habits?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Sam’s testimony suggests God powerfully uses Scripture even when a person’s steps are hesitant, secretive, or mixed with fear; the Word still awakens hunger and draws the heart back. That should elevate “small” habits (like reading a verse) as real means God uses, not meaningless gestures.
- Sam says he downloaded YouVersion and read “the verse of the day on the sly,” hiding it because of Christina’s aversion to religion.
- He admits the motive wasn’t ideal: he feared mentioning it would “close a door,” and calls it “a coward’s way of not confronting her with truth.”
- Yet he describes Scripture’s effect vividly: “it was like water on parched lips.”
- He credits Scripture as central in his return: “the Word of God was probably the largest drawing card in bringing me back to faith.”
- He notes an internal response: even “one small verse… touched a sensitive chord,” and his “hunger for truth… grew exponentially.”