Primary Texts: John 15:1-27
Memory Verses “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:4-5
Introduction:
The parable of the vine and the branches teach absolute dependency, total trust, and abundant fruitfulness. These are the essential themes in Jesus’ teaching on the true vine and the branches. Each one taken alone is an important truth of God’s kingdom, but combined they form the very heart of the full Christian life.
Absolute dependency: The branches will only have life if they “abide” in the vine. Christianity without the true Christ is nothing more than an empty religion devoid of life. It is good for nothing more than an intellectual exercise or a shallow emotional experience. Notice that the branches must “abide” in the vine; the vine doesn’t abide in the branches. Experiencing the abundant joy of Christ finds its power in a loving relationship that calls for death and burial to self, and being raised with Him in resurrection life (Romans 6:4-5). We all needed to be spiritually quickened and transformed (Ephesians 2:1-7).
Total trust: God loves us so much that He receives us just as we are, dead and defiled, but His love for us is so perfect that He won’t allow us to stay that way. Those who believe that salvation is not a new beginning but only a victorious conclusion to a meaningless life are likely to find that God’s pruning of their lives is unbearable. God has restored true purpose to our lives by Christ’s salvation, and He means for us to be productive (Ephesians 2:10).
Abundant fruitfulness: Do we truly understand and accept the calling of God upon the life of every believer? Have we accepted as our own the great mandate of Christ to His disciples prior to His ascension, that they go into all the world and make disciples, teaching them all of the truths of the divine kingdom (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Acts 1:8)? If we desire to reach the lost and build up Christ’s church, and to build Christ’s character in our lives, then our driving passion must be to abide in the Vine!
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- Name the key elements in Jesus’ parable of the vine and the branches, and describe the purpose of each one. John 15:1-3
- Discuss how a believer can lead a fruitful life applying the principles taught in the parable of the vine and the branches. John 15:4-8
- According to Jesus’ teaching, define what it means to “abide in His love.” John 15:9-11
- What did Jesus signify was His commandment? John 15:12-13
- How does Jesus’ own commandment relate to the original ten commandments? Matthew 22:37-40; Romans 7:7, 12; 1 Timothy 1:5-11; Psalm 19:7-11
- Explain why there is no contradiction in terms when Jesus calls those obedient to His word, “friends.” John 15:14-17; James 4:10
- What was the first reason that Jesus gave that His followers would be hated by the world? John 15:18, 20
- What was the second reason given that Jesus’ followers would be hated by the world? John 15:19; 3:19-20
- What was the third reason given for Jesus’ followers being hated by the world? John 15:21
- What was the fourth reason Jesus gave that His followers would be hated by the world? John 15:22-24
- Conversely, what is the attitude of fallen, sinful mankind toward those who commit sin and abominations? Romans 1:28-32