Small Group 6/4/20

Jesus is the True Vine

John 15:1–2 ESV

1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

In the OT the Vine was a symbol for Israel

Psalm 80:8 ESV

8 You brought a vine out of Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it.

Isaiah 5:1–2 ESV

1 Let me sing for my beloved my love song concerning his vineyard: My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile hill. 2 He dug it and cleared it of stones, and planted it with choice vines; he built a watchtower in the midst of it, and hewed out a wine vat in it; and he looked for it to yield grapes, but it yielded wild grapes.

Jesus draws the connection to Himself as the Vine.

Holman New Testament Commentary: John I. Introduction: No More Slaves

No More Slaves

We are all on a mission, all sent by our Lord and empowered by the Holy Spirit to carry out that mission. In the eighteenth century, many American Quakers were affluent, conservative slave holders, totally oblivious to the horror and anti-biblical nature of that role. A young Quaker, John Woolman, set a lifetime goal—to rid his beloved Society of Friends of this terrible practice. Woolman lived to the age of fifty-two and spent nearly all his adult years in his efforts to extinguish slavery among his Christian friends. By 1770, nearly one hundred years before the Civil War, no Quakers held slaves.

This chapter of John does not deal with social justice, but it does teach righteousness and the kind of social virtues that result from the indwelling Holy Spirit.

Question

How is it that we truly experience a changed Christian life?

How do we normal explain to someone that they can grow in Christian character?

In this passage are we told to abide in the church or in Jesus?

What do you think this looks like?

John 15:2 ESV

2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

What does it mean to bear fruit?

Galatians 5:22–23 ESV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

John 15:2 can also be translated to mean “Every branch that does not bear fruit He lifts up”

This can also be to expose the branch to the sun so that it may bear fruit.

What does pruning do to a fruit tree branch?

What might this look like in our lives?

John 15:3 ESV

3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.

Jesus has already talked to them about salvation earlier in His ministry (And the book of John). This passage is not about salvation.

This passage is about what a fruitful life for a believer looks like.

John 15:4 ESV

4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.

This word “Abide” appears 11 times in John 15. What does it mean?

Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament based on Semantic Domains 85.55 μένω; ἐμμένω; ἐπιμένω; καταμένω

85.55 μένωa; ἐμμένωa; ἐπιμένωa; καταμένω: to remain in the same place over a period of time—‘to remain, to stay.’

What does it look like for us to remain in Jesus?

How does remaining in Jesus enable us to bear fruit?

John 15:5 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.

Holman New Testament Commentary: John A. Abiding in the Lord (15:1–8)

The fruit of the vine is Christlikeness.

Galatians 5:24–26 ESV

24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

How do we remember out need to actively depend on God?

John 15:6 ESV

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.

I believe this is what this passage means:

Holman New Testament Commentary: John A. Abiding in the Lord (15:1–8)

“burned” branches refer to professing Christians who, like Judas, are not genuinely saved and therefore are judged. Like a dead branch, a person without Christ is spiritually dead and therefore will be punished in eternal fire (cf. Matt. 25:46)

John 15:7–8 ESV

7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

What do these verses say about our prayer life?

How do we need to live in order to receive whatever we are asking?

What is the connection here between our prayer life and bearing fruit?

Matthew 5:16 ESV

16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.