Connected to the Vine: Cultivating a Personal Relationship with Christ

✨ Introduction: “Have You Ever Felt Empty?”

Have you ever felt like you were doing all the right things—showing up to youth group, saying the right words, even praying when things got tough—but still felt… empty?

Like you were trying to follow Jesus, but deep down you were:

Struggling to know who you really are?

Unsure where you belong?

Questioning if your faith is even working?

Let me tell you something that might surprise you:

You can be around Jesus-stuff and still feel disconnected from Jesus Himself.

Because following Him isn’t about doing all the right things—it’s about staying connected to Him. Personally. Daily. Deeply.

Let me put it this way…

You ever leave the house with your phone at like 20%?

You think, “I’ll be fine.” And for a little while, you are. But by mid-afternoon, you’re hunting for an outlet like your life depends on it.

Here’s the thing: Your phone doesn’t die because it’s broken—it dies because it’s not connected to the power source.

That’s exactly what it’s like trying to live your life apart from Jesus.

You might look fine on the outside. But inside, you’re drained. And if you don’t stay connected, spiritually—you’ll burn out. Because real life flows from the Source.

🌿 Point 1: Abiding = Staying Connected to the Vine

Let’s read what Jesus says in the bible, and then I’ll break it down into everyday language.

📖 John 15:5–7

John 15:5–7 ESV

5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. 7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Now let’s read that like Jesus is talking directly to you:

Hey, listen—I’m the vine, you’re the branches. That means I’m your source. If you stick with Me and let Me stay close to you, you’re going to grow, and your life will actually matter. You’ll start producing things that are good and lasting.

But if you try to do life without Me, it’s just not going to work.

You’ll dry up inside, like a branch that’s been cut off. You might still look okay for a while, but eventually, you’ll feel it.

But if you stay close to Me—if you live in My words, and let them shape who you are—you can come to Me, and I’ll move. You’ll see Me work in your life.”

Jesus says: “Remain in Me. Abide.”

He uses a simple image: a vine and branches. The branch doesn’t grow fruit by itself. It just stays connected. The vine supplies everything—life, strength, and purpose.

Jesus is saying:

“If you stay close to Me, I’ll produce something real in your life.”

But if you’re disconnected—even if you still “look” like a Christian—you’ll start to wither inside.

❌ What Abiding Is Not

This isn’t a drive-thru faith where you swing by God when you need something. And it’s not a casual “like” or “follow.”

Think about how you follow people on Instagram or TikTok:

You catch a glimpse of their life

You scroll by, maybe like a post

But you’re not close—you’re just an observer

That’s how many treat Jesus. But Jesus didn’t call us to be fans. He called us to follow. Deeply. Daily.

✅ What Abiding Is

It’s like being best friends with someone you talk to every day.

You don’t just drop in—you do life together. You share thoughts, highs, lows. You care what they think. You stay connected.

Jesus wants to be that for you.

🎨 Illustration: The Extension Cord

Imagine a lamp plugged into an extension cord… but the cord’s not connected to anything. That’s us without Jesus. We might have the form of faith—but no power.

Abiding is plugging in every day.

✋ Ask Them Directly:

Do you feel connected to Jesus right now?

Is your relationship more like a follow—or a friendship?

What’s one thing that’s getting in the way of real connection?

🙏 Point 2: How We Abide — Through Prayer, Gratitude, and Joy

📖 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 ESV

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Now let’s say it like you’re encouraging a friend:

Look—don’t let anything steal your joy. Even when thigns are tough, find reasons to celebrate. Keep talking to God. Seriously—keep that conversation going all day, like a text thread that never ends. And no matter what’s happening, find something to be thankful for. This is the kind of life God wants for you—staying joyful, prayerful, and thankful in every moment, because you belong to Jesus.

This passage gives us three ways to abide:

🔹 1. Rejoice always

Joy isn’t fake happiness. It isn’t just putting a smile on your face regardless. It’s choosing to trust that Jesus is with you—even when life is messy.

🔹 2. Pray continually

It’s not about constant words—it’s about constant awareness. Talk to Jesus throughout the day—like a best friend in your group chat. It’s about little conversations all day long—inviting Jesus into your school, your thoughts, and your stress.

🔹 3. Give thanks in all circumstances

Not for everything—but in everything. Gratitude grounds you and shifts your focus back to God.

🎨 Illustration: Group Chat with Jesus

Who has a group chat with all of your friends in it?

What if Jesus was in your group chat?

Would you leave Him on read? Or would you text Him like your closest friend?

Abiding is keeping Jesus in the conversation—through everything.

✋ Ask Them Directly:

When could you pause and pray in your day?

What’s one thing you could thank God for—even if life’s not perfect?

Where could you choose joy instead of frustration?

🔧 Practical Applications: Building a Life That Abides

✅ 1. Talk to Jesus Throughout the Day

Make prayer part of your routine. Whisper prayers on the bus, in the hallway, or at night. Anytime you’re anxious, happy, sad, angry, frustrated, whatever it is—stop and tell God about it. Ask him for strength in the bad moments and thank him for the good moments.

💡 Set a daily phone reminder that says “Talk to Jesus.”

✅ 2. Start a Gratitude List

Use your Notes app or a journal. Write 3 things a day you’re thankful for. It’ll shift your mindset from drained to grateful.

We are always so focused on the things that are going poorly in our lives we miss out on the fact that there are good things too. God blesses us each and every day, but we often miss those blessings because we’re too busy complaining.

✅ 3. Create Space to Be Still with God

Pick at least one time this week—just 10–15 minutes. No noise. Just your Bible and your heart.

Read, pray, reflect. Just be with Him.

One of the things I’ve been doing is I changed my alarm to 15 minutes earlier and I start each day reading one chapter out of the bible. I’m reading through Ephesians right now. I highlight, pray about it, and repeat anything that speaks to me if there is something that day. It often takes me less than 15 minutes, but it is one point in the day that I am intentional about being with Jesus.

🧵 Bonus Challenge: The “Jesus Thread” Day

Try keeping Jesus in your thoughts all day. Turn stress, wins, and random moments into prayers.

🎯 Conclusion: Stay Connected

Let me ask you:

Are you actually connected to Jesus—or just casually following?

If you’ve been feeling distant… if life feels disconnected… Jesus is inviting you to abide.

You don’t have to have it all together. But you do have to plug in.

🙏 Invitation to Respond

Maybe tonight you realize:

You’ve been “scrolling past” Jesus

You’ve disconnected

Or you’ve never really made Him your source

Tonight is your moment.

You can recommit. You can reconnect. You can start fresh.

Let’s pause. Let’s pray. Let’s respond.