The Gospel of John  - John 15

Announcement:

• We will have Baptisms on Easter Sunday. Has everyone been obedient in Baptism in the group? We would love to help those that haven't taken that step! If anyone is interested, we have several ways of letting us know: register online or through the Church Center app, fill out a Connection Card indicating interest, contact the church office or Pastor David.

 

Ice Breaker(If needed):

• What's your favorite fruit and why?

 

Sermon Discussion (Read John 15:1-18):

Key Statement This Week To Keep Coming Back To:

True life is abiding life in Jesus and through that we will produce fruit and through the Holy Spirit experience change.
 

• What Does “abide” mean to you. What other ways do you use that word or idea in everyday life?
  • What do you think it looks like to live abiding (Continuous dependence) on Jesus? 
  • What is keeping you from having total dependence on him?
• Jesus is letting the disciples know they are not connected to the vine of Israel, but the vine of Jesus. What are some of the false vines we attach to believing they offer life instead of Jesus?
• When was a time you felt God pruning you? 
  • How did that feel? What did God take away and have you been successful at leaving it alone?

 

Going Deeper/Application: 

• How do verse 9 and verse 12 tie together? (Read also Matthew 22:36-40)
  •  How is love the essential dynamic of the Christian life as we reflect on what we have gone through in John the last few weeks? (Read Galatians 5:13-14 to help understand this more)
  • Let's get real and bring this home: Are you known for love? Why or why not? 
  • How can you practice a love that lays down your life for another?

 

Final Challenge: 

• Come back to the Key Statement:

True life is abiding life in Jesus and through that we will produce fruit and through the Holy Spirit experience change.

• What is a key pruning that you think God might be asking of you to experience a change in your life?
• What is a fruit that you think you are struggling to let the Holy Spirit work in your life to produce? (Read also Matthew 3:8)

 

Prayer Time:  

Consider: Instead of taking prayer requests, spend time praying for each other based on what is shared in the “Final Challenge” (Either as a whole or after breaking up into genders)