John 15:1-8 - 1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 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.
5 “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. 6 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. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciple
· Big Idea: Who you connect to determines what you produce.
Starter: Who are you really connected with? How does that impact your life, your mood, and your future?
Go Deeper
1. Read John 15:1-8
2. Often the best way to understand a passage is to identify who you are in the story. What are the implications of being a branch connected to Jesus?
3. Reading the passage closely, in your opinion, what does Jesus want for every branch/person that is connected to him?
4. Imagine the frustration of trying to bear fruit but not being connected to the vine. Why would a person do that?
5. Does verse 6 make you uncomfortable? What do you think Jesus is saying?
6. In your opinion, are the benefits of staying connected to Jesus?
