Abiding
Connecting with God: Abiding
John 15:1-9
3 July
As a start read Psalm 80:8-19. The image of the vine is a strong one in Jewish thinking. For example, the image of the vine is used in Psalm 80 v.8 -19. This psalm recalls the exodus and conquest narratives by portraying the people of God as a vine brought out from Egypt and planted in the land of Israel. It is described as growing and completely filling the land. Then, the psalmist laments, “Why have you broken down its walls, so that all who pass along the way pluck its fruit?” (v. 13). The psalmist’s concern for the fruit develops into concern for the entire vine: “Those who would burn or cut it down—may they perish at your rebuke” (v. 17). There are noteworthy parallels between this psalm and the passage in John. In Psalm 80, a vine serves as an image of Israel; in John 15, it is an image of the church. In both chapters, the metaphor extends to fruit production (and lack thereof). Finally, they both describe the potential for destruction by others when the fruit is depleted.
There are quite a few questions – you don’t have to use them all, it is important to focus on how the believer/follower/disciple remains connected to Jesus throughout the study.
John 15:1-3 Bible Study Questions
Q 1. What does Jesus' statement, "I am the true vine" (John 15:1) imply?
Perhaps that there are false vines? What would they be?
Q.2. What is a "vinedresser" or as it says in the NIV ‘the gardener’. What image does it present of God? (John 15:1)?
Q. 3 What does it mean to "prune" (John 15:2)? What does this mean for connecting with God?
Pruning a branch involves ripping out any diseased parts, killing bugs and even cutting away seemingly healthy but unwanted shoots so that the branch grows stronger in the direction that the vinedresser wants. From the branch's perspective, being pruned can be uncomfortable, even painful, and at times also appear to make no sense. But "every branch" (John 15:2) being pruned should trust that the vinedresser knows what He is doing and be grateful for His care and attention. The cause for concern rests with the branches that are not being pruned, for that means either the branch is perfect, or far more likely, the vinedresser is about to "take away" that branch because it "does not bear fruit" (John 15:2).
Q. 4 What does the "branch" (John 15:2) represent? Are they Christians?
People who are attached to Jesus; but those who do not bear fruit are taken away – are they Christians or not?
Q. 5 What does the "fruit" (John 15:2) represent?
Have a think in the group about what you think fruit is as a Christian. Is it the same for everybody or has God got specific fruit for each of us to produce?
Q. 6. In what state is Jesus leaving His disciples as He heads to the cross?
Jesus says they are clean because He has spoken his word to them.
Q.7 Does that mean they will never return to the previous state?
No, but the Holy Spirit will act as a guide to make us clean again. To remain "clean" (John 15:3), what must all Christians continue to absorb and obey?
John 15:4-9 Bible Study Questions
Q.8. After calling Himself, "I am the true vine" in John 15:1, why does Jesus now say, "I am the vine, you are the branches" (John 15:5)?
It establishes the closeness of the relationship between Jesus and the follower
Q.9.What do disciples of Jesus - i.e., branches of the vine - have to do to "bear fruit" (John 15:4) for God?
They have to remain connected to the main vine -Jesus- discuss how we as Christians do that.
Q. 10 What can the branches do without it?
Nothing! What implication does that have if we undertake activities without really being connected?
Q. 10 But don't some branches today grow even without being connected??
Often we look at those who would not count themselves as Christians – and see them doing amazing things – but what they do does not come from the ‘true vine’ – it will ultimately fail.
Q. 11 Is Jesus talking about His disciples in John 15:6? If not who?
No, he moves from the second person pronoun to the third person ‘anyone’. People who are not really connected to Christ – and therefore can’t produce the fruit of the vine.
Q. 12 How are such people "cast out" (John 15:6) from the vine?
By their own choice really as they don’t want the connection with Christ.
Q. 13 What happens to all of them in the end?
Like any dead branch they wither and die.
Q. 14 What does: "what you desire" that "shall be done for you" (John 15:7) include
Maybe think about how this has changed now you belong to Jesus
Q. 15 How is the "Father... glorified" (John 15:8)? Who gets the credit for the fruit?
Read the verse
Q. 16 How do we abide in Jesus’ "love" (John 15:9)?
Look at v.10 – what does that mean for each person?