March 24, 2018
Be Fruitful
1. Introduction.
Our study this week is based on a passage which is very familiar to most of us. As you begin ask God the Holy Spirit to teach and guide you out of the bottomless well of His Word to gain greater insight, relevance and application to these well know words of Jesus. There may be one simple message which you take away and can make quite an impact on where you are right now in your walk with the Lord.
2. Jesus goal for us.
Read John 15:1-17.
What word does Jesus mention 6 times in John 15:1-8 which refers to what He desires and shows who are His true disciples? If this is not evident in a person’s life what does it suggest?
What word does Jesus mention 10 times in John 15:1-10 which is the key to enable us to produce fruit? Discuss in your group what this means and how we do it consistently? Check other versions which use different words to help explain what this mean.
What brings great glory to Jesus’ Father?
3. Being Pruned.
What is the purpose of God pruning His Children? See also Hebrews 12:4-11.
Who is pruned and who is not?
Share and discuss in your group areas in your life God has or is presently pruning.
What happens to those who don’t bear fruit? Eg: John 15:2, 6. What does this mean?
Is Jesus referring to people’s salvation who are not producing fruit or stop being fruitful?
What does He mean in John 15:3?
4 Obeying Jesus.
What does Jesus highlight is the most important commandment of His to obey? Reconcile what Jesus said to the Pharisee in Matthew 22:34-40.
What are the two personal benefits Jesus mentions as a result of obeying Him? Can you think of others from elsewhere in the Bible?
5 The Role of the Holy Spirit.
Compare John 15:1-17 with Galatians 5:16-26 and answer the following:
• What is the ‘fruit’ Jesus is referring to?
• What is the difference between ‘fruit and ‘works’?
• What is the role and work of the Holy Spirit in this respect?
• What happens when we try to live the Christian life in our own strength?
• If we examine our own lives and find we are unfruitful, discuss in your group the solution. Refer to the above passages in John and Galatians.
• What is each person’s responsibility? Consider 2 Peter 1:5-9, Philippians 2:12.
• What encouragement does Philippians 2:13, 1 Corinthians 3:7b give?
“You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit so that my Father will give you whatever you ask for, using My Name. This is my command: Love each other.” John 15:16-17.