The Fruitful Life

This week explores how we are made for fruitfulness and that true fruitfulness comes from God’s life in us and from our obedience to God and love for others. (Psalm 1:3; John 15:1-8, 16-17)

Sermon Outline

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear in prayer, asking God to speak to you through this study. fruit—fruit that will last.” (John 15:16)

The Way of Fruitfulness

• In Psalm 1: meditating on God’s word until it becomes your life (Psalm 1:1-3)
• In John 15: Remaining in Jesus (John 15:4-5) and letting Jesus’ words remain in us (John 15:7-8)
• The overflow of a life lived with God

The Essence of Fruitfulness

• The human work: choosing obedience (John 15:9-10)
• The divine work: yielding to God (Philippians 2:12-13; Galatians 5:13-25)
• Selfless Love (John 15:9-17; cf. John 13:34-35; Galatians 5:13-14)

Living the Fruitful Life

• Ordering our lives to grow with Christ so we become fruitful
• Yielding to the presence and power of God in our lives
• Giving God the glory for the fruitfulness of our lives

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. What is your favorite fruit? Why is that your favorite fruit?
2. This week we continue our Lenten preaching series, “The Tree and the Vine,” based in the Psalm 1 and John 15. Whether you are on your own or with others, begin your study in prayer, asking God to speak to you through this study.
3. Today we’re going to focus on bearing fruit as described in Psalm 1 and John 15. Let’s begin by reading Psalm 1:1-3 aloud. What would you say is the cause of the fruitfulness of the tree described in Psalm 1?
4. Why do you think that action might lead to fruitfulness in life?
5. Now, let’s read John 15:1-17 aloud. In verses 4-5 Jesus describes what makes the difference between bearing fruit and not bearing fruit. What is it?
6. Now look at verses 7-8. How do these verses augment what we read in verses 4-5?
7. What do you think it looks like practically to remain in Jesus and let His words remain in us in a way that might bring fruitfulness to our lives?
8. In verses 9-17, what is the main thing that describes what fruitfulness looks like in the life of a person connected to Jesus?
9. Do you find it easy or hard to love others? Why?
10. When have you experienced the love of Christ moving in your life to touch others?
11. What is God speaking to you through this study? If you are with a small group, discuss that with one another and then pray about what you shared. If you are on your own, write it down, pray about it, and share this with someone during the next few days.