The Personable God

Introduction

For those who do not know who I am, my name is Billy Edwards. I will tell you a little bit about myself but on this Sunday night I will be sharing my testimony and we will be playing a cool interactive game so y'all get to know Cade and myself better.

I am from Charlotte North Carolina, my wife Megan and I have been married for 3 amazing years and are blessed with our very cute but wild son, Will. And just last week got to celebrate his first birthday. I am a big Star Wars fan, I grew up hunting and fishing so I love the outdoors, and my claim to fame is that in college at a braves game I raced and beat the freeze.

Discovery Bible Study

What is a Discovery Bible Study?

A simple way to read/study the bible together.

An engaging bible study that focus on questions, discovery, and application.

A simplistic way to exposit biblical text.

2. Why is a DBS important?

Teaches proper biblical discovery

Strengthens personal faith

Develops biblical discipleship and leadership

Encourages Evangelism

Biblical Context

The context of John 15, is Jesus preparing his disciples for his future crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. In this passage Jesus is specifically teaching his disciples and does so using the imagery of the vine and the vine dresser as a metaphor to aid in His disciples understanding in what it means to be a disciple.

Question 1: What does this passage tell me about God?

Jesus is the only God. - v.1

True vine, Jesus is indicating there are false vines but he is the only true.

There are false Gods of this world, but God is the only true God and ruler of all.

His words are powerful - v.3

He is the source of life - v.4

He is the way, the truth, the life, the true vine.

The only vine, the only way to life/to heaven

He is Jehovah-Jireh (provider) - v.7

He is the son of God, Immanuel (God with us) - v.8

Question 2: What does this passage tell me about people (myself)?

We are dirty, cleansed by His word - v.3

We cannot bear fruit - v.4

Fruit of the spirit, Galatians 5:22

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Apart from Christ we can do nothing - v.5

Nothing true, honorable, righteous, eternal

We are lifeless when separate from Christ - v.6

We are finite,

We are made whole/complete in Christ - v.7,8

Our identity is found only in Christ.

We glorify God when we abide in Christ and Gods word - v.8

Small Groups

The following two questions are to be answered personally and then shared amongst those at your table.

Question 3: How am I going to obey Gods word?

Recognizing the false vines in my life, and silencing them by abiding in the true vine.

Question 4: Who am I going to tell?

A good friend of mine is not a Christian and needs to know how to be made whole through abiding in Christ.

Prayer

We recognize the false idols in our life and silence them through abiding in you, God.

Our hearts be broken by our sin and we seek repentance in you.

We realize our own brokenness and how we can only be made complete in you, God.

Every day, every second of the day we seek you, God. We abide in you, you abide in us and we are your child.

God, we desire to be your disciples, disciple us so that we can disciple others in your name.