This week introduces John 15, building upon Psalm 1, and talks about abiding life as connected to God. Specifically, this explores the love of God in which we are deeply connected.
Sermon Outline
The Role
- Jesus – The True Vine
- God – The Intimate Gardner
- Us – The connected Branches
The Goal
- What is God really after?
- What does it mean to remain?
- What does God command?
The Fruit
- Love
- Answers
- Lasting Impact
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- Verse 2 tells us that the Father (Gardener) cuts off and prunes. What do you think about that? In what ways have you seen the Gardener prune you?
- In the message today we talked about the fact that our role as branches is not to bear fruit but to remain in Him. Why do you think that’s such an important distinction?
- What are the consequences of focusing on fruit bearing rather than remaining?
- Jesus repeats the phrase “remain in me” several times throughout this passage. What do you think that means? What does it look like in your life?
- Why do you suppose our tendency is to focus on fruit bearing rather than remaining?
- Re-read vs 5-6. What do you think this is referring to?
- Jesus makes one of the most profound statements in vs 9. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you . . . “ How would you put that in your own words?
- Further on in vs 9-10 Jesus relates obeying his commandments to remaining in his love. And the in vs 14 he tells what his command is. How do you make sense of it all?
- Jesus makes another profound statement in vs. 14. “You are my friends if you do what I command. . . “ What does it mean to be a friend of God?
- God’s invitation is to move from servant of God to friend of God. Where would you say you are on that spectrum and why?