John 15:1-11 (NKJV)
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 bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.
4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
In this metaphor, Jesus is the VINE, we (believers, disciples) are the BRANCHES and the Father is the VINEDRESSER or the gardener who tends the branches.
Discuss the roles of the vine, branches and vinedresser.
What does it mean to abide?
How do you abide?
Discuss how we can let God’s words abide in us.
Discuss how we can abide in His love.
According to this scripture, God is looking for fruitfulness.
Discuss what kind of fruit He’s looking for.
Discuss what it means for the branches to be pruned by the vinedresser.