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The online groups guide is designed as a teaching series companion to foster discussion, study, and prayer, especially in a group setting.
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Love
Teaching Texts: John 15: 1-9
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.
Themes
Consider these themes and ask your group what else they see in the passage:
Joy Complete – God wants your joy to be complete and Jesus is showing the way.
Formation
Thoughts and notes you can use for discussion:
Read the text slowly and contemplatively, then share what stood out to you.
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15 v 1-6
The picture is unmistakeable.
I am your source.
Your life comes in connection to me
There is no spiritual life outside of this union
As my life and power flow in your life, you will produce fruit (the things of God will show up in your life)
Remember what he just said about the Holy Spirit.
THE LIFE OF GOD IN THE SOUL OF A PERSON
You must live by this connection, by this union, by this friendship, by this trust.
Without it nothing of God’s Kingdom will come.
God is utterly determined to work through relationship
What do you think and feel when you hear that God wants to prune you?
What form do you think that pruning usually takes?
Gardener and Pruning
Often a vine will grow in too many directions, or begin growing inward in places, or at times produce too many smaller, less vibrant grapes.
Don’t be surprised by this pruning, by this ongoing cleanining, nourishing, realigning, cutting away what is dead or dying so new life can
But it’s a cut to refocus, to direct from inwardness, to forgo smaller immature clusters so the rich full fruit of the vines potential can be produced.
He prunes so it will be even more fruitful. This is a work of love.
It is for the sake of love and flourishing
What has God pruned in your life?
How did you respond to that pruning?
What was the result of that pruning?
What is this fruit the pruning is supposed to produce?
The signs of the Kingdom from Israel’s prophets….
Salvation/Deliverance
Righteousness and Justice
Peace
Joy
God’s Presence
Healing
Return from Exile
Character Fruit - the best list for this is the fruit of the spirit….
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5 v 22-23
Relationship Fruit - forgiveness, hospitality, peacemaking, justice doing, generosity
Spiritual Fruit - salvation, obedience, the fruit of repentance, healing, God’s presence
“Indeed, if we consider the unblushing promises of reward and the staggering nature of the rewards promised in the Gospels, it would seem that our Lord finds our desires, not too strong, but too weak. We are halfhearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” – C.S. LEWIS - The Weight of Glory
ABIDE:
How do you grow your friendship with God?
Abide everyday - it is the most important opportunity available to you.
God loves to be in union with you
God longs for the fruit of abundant life to grow in your life
Pruning is part of that
Abiding is how we nurture that healthy connection
