Theme: “For the Vision Is for An Appointed Time,” Hab. 2: 3
Introduction
The Bible emphasizes the central importance of the land of Israel and the covenant God had with Abraham – God had chosen and made a covenant with Abraham to become the father of many nations, meaning the custodians of this covenant would follow the bloodline of Abraham and Sarah through their son Isaac and grandson Jacob to future generations (Genesis 15: 5 – 7). So, it is reasonable and easy to understand why Jews cannot set this aside but emphasize their care about Israel and connection to Abraham.
The good news is that the Lord desires even more than we all think. In other words, there is something extremely important to keep up to for being Jewish, otherwise the conversation in John 8: 31 - 47 would not have been necessary just as the statement that those who are of faith are sons of Abraham in Galatians 3: 6 - 14. These words reveal and reminds us that there is much about abiding in Christ just as there is a sense in which a Christian is in Christ and Christ is in a Christian in this world that we all live.
Perhaps you have been a Christian for a long time and familiar with symbols, grapevine is found everywhere in Israel and Jesus use vine as a symbol to describe the relationship between him and the Jewish nation. More importantly, a vine is said to be decorated in front of the temple to communicate the idea that Israel is God`s vineyard (Matt. 21: 33 - 44; Isa. 5: 1 – 7; Jer. 2: 21 and Ezek. 19: 10).
So, when Jesus drew this picture of the vine, he knew what he was talking about because though the vine can produce fruit, it is not capable without drastic pruning and Jesus knew the implication of that with his disciples. It occurs to mean therefore that Jesus uses the imagery of the vine to demonstrate the need for fruit bearing and connectedness to him which is of complete dependence and constant connection to him as the “True vine.”
Questions
1. The idea we must remember from our reading is that Jesus is the true vine and to be fruitful, we must be rooted in him because fruitless branches are on the way to be removed and destroyed.
A. John 15: 1 – 3 pictures a relationship. Discuss the relationship that the vine and branches try to emphasize and achieve considering how God the Father is being described.
B. Reading from our text in its entirety, if possible, share why there`s so much emphasis on abiding or remaining in Christ (See John 15: 4; 5; 6; 7 and 8).
2. Concerning the fruitless vine, who do you think was Jesus referring to and what can we do to invite disaster on our relationship with Christ.
A. Jesus uses the word pruning in some sense to describe the activity the Father does. In saying this, what does that mean?
B. The central word in the passage is that the disciples did not chose Jesus, but he has chosen them (John 15: 16). According to verses 9 -11 and verse 15 -16 explain where it all started from and what the disciples were chosen or called to do.
3. Perhaps Jesus referred to the disciples as “already clean by the word” to emphasize the idea of pruning that initially started in them (John 13: 10).
A. From Ephe. 5: 26, Psa. 119: 9, 11; 1 Peter 2: 1 - 2, mention and describe anything that inspires you about the effect of the word of God.
B. Consider the statement in John 15: 4 - 5 that without me, you can do nothing and use what Paul says in Gal. 2: 20 and Phil. 4: 13 to describe what Jesus meant.
C. Discuss with a few examples things we actively involve in doing without Jesus and how that is a significant warning.
4. The reference to burning and fire in John 15: 6 - 8 warns of the great danger and consequences of failing to abide. How has this warned you and how have you viewed the dangers of failure to abiding in Christ in addition to lack of bearing fruit.
A. Looking at John 15: 9 - 11, Jesus laid a remarkable pattern of his love for the disciples that leaves nothing more to be said. What does that demonstrate to the disciple, and what does that suggest to you.
B. Clearly seen in John15: 10 - 15, the joy that Jesus gives and brings into the life of the disciples does not come from the pleasure of a life of ease. Discuss
5. John 15: 16-17 rightly highlighted our starting point of call to service to probably remind ourselves that Christ first chose us and not the opposite to serve without becoming proud. How is winning others to Christ a prominent idea here.
A. The idea that whatever the disciples asked in prayer will be given is connected to fruit bearing. How is this commonly misinterpreted to mean and how has that helped you going forward when you ask in prayer.
B. In your opinion, why do you think Jesus commanded the disciples to love among themselves when he was departing from them.