Day 1: Generational Wells

Water wells have existed for nearly 8,000 years. In Ancient Mesopotamia, the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, dug wells with the help of their servants and mules.

In biblical times, wells served economic, social, and spiritual purposes. First, wells supported livelihood. Because of the unpredictability and lack of rain in the Middle East, people relied on wells as primary sources of water for themselves and their animals.

Second, wells were landmarks dug with the purpose of marking pivotal points along the journey. Naming places such as wells after divine encounters or significant events was common practice in Scripture.

Third, wells were a symbol of status. They were claims of ownership or possession of the land or territory in which they were located. With this, they served as practical inheritance passed down throughout generations.

Fourth and finally, they were symbols of community. Because wells represented supply and provision, people considered a community a thriving one if it had functioning wells. Wells were places of agreement and meetings for local citizens, frequented by women and travelers.

For Christians, wells carry a two-fold meaning. They represent intergenerational faith and individuals’ inner lives. Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the patriarchs of faith, dug and re-dug wells that were passed down as inheritance throughout their lifetimes.

In those days, people depended on wells for water to live and work. In ancient times, they drew water from wells with buckets for various purposes throughout the city. Digging wells was not exclusive to them, however. The water extracted from our souls assists us today in interpreting the world around us.

Wells of faith which have been passed down from and inherited by current generations have not always come with a smooth transfer.

Two tasks associated with intergenerational faith have turned out to be more complicated than we thought. One involves respecting the tradition of faith, while the other involves grasping the significance of God and faith in the context of our own generations. It has been especially difficult given the shift of religious boundaries between each generation. These shifts stem from our frustration with ancient wells that appear to be no longer functional in our modern contexts. As a result, some have embraced the wells of faith passed down to them from preceding generations, while others have avoided the Christian faith or abandoned it altogether.

Reflection Questions:

1. When you think of generational wells, what comes to mind?

2. How does your faith journey resemble those of older generations in your family? How does your faith journey differ from theirs?