John 15:1-27

Overview:
Too often as Christians we try to do Christ’s work for him. This passage teaches that we are supposed to do Christ’s work with Him. Cults are formed by people who start following God then end up trying to be God instead. The results are just what Jesus predicted in this passage.

Jesus tells a parable about a vine and some branches to illustrate our need to stay attached to Him. When we bear fruit, Jesus prunes us so we can bear more fruit. It’s painful, but it’s the way we grow. Our maturity as Christian depends on our trust and connection to the Vine.

Through Jesus we can love with supernatural power. Through Jesus we can teach great truth. Through Jesus we can experience great joy. But the secret to these things is that they only happen through Jesus.

Jesus says, “Apart from me you can do noting,” (v. 5) and history has shown it to be true. People have died following leaders who cut themselves off from Jesus. Staying connected to Him is what gives us life.

Questions to Ask Yourself…
1) What does it mean to “prune” a tree? Have you ever done it (or seen it done)? If so, what is the process?

2) Do you think it’s possible to cut off a branch from a plant or tree and keep it alive? If so, how? If not, why not?

3) What is the greatest extent someone has gone to show you that he or she loved you? What is the greatest extent you have gone to show you loved someone else?

Observation Questions…
4) Read John 15:1-8. How does Jesus describe himself in this passage? How does he describe the Father? How does he describe his disciples?

5) What happens to branches that do not bear fruit? (v. 2) What happens to branches that do bear fruit? What does it take for a branch to bear fruit? (v. 4)

6) Read vv. 9-17. How does jesus say we remain in his love? (v. 10) What command does he give? (v. 12) What example does he give of this command? (v. 13)

7) Read vv. 18-20. How does Jesus describe the connection he has with the disciples? How does the world relate to both of them.

Interpretation Questions…
8) What do you think Jesus means when he says branches that don’t bear fruit will be cut off? (v. 2) What do you think he means when he says branches that do bear fruit will be pruned?

9) Who do you think are the branches in this passage? Are they just his disciples or all his followers? How do “branches” become disconnected from the vine (or Jesus)?

10) Look at v. 12. Why do you think Jesus only gives this one commandment? Do you think v. 13 refers more to him or to us? Why?

11) What do you think Jesus means in v. 16 when he says his disciples will bear “fruit that will last “? What would be an example of this fruit?

Application Questions…
12) If you were a branch on Jesus’ vine, what would you look like? Would you be fruitful and thriving or empty and brittle? Why?

13) Have you ever felt “pruned” by God so you could bear more fruit? If so, how?

14) Do you consider yourself to be God’s friend? If not, why not? If so, what are some of the ways you show your friendship to Him?

15) Have you ever experienced people not liking you (or alienating you) because you were a Christian? If so, when? If not, have you ever seen it happen to someone else?