11.11.07
Small Group Plan - November 11, 2007
“Where Do We GROW From Here?”
Small Group Plan
November 11, 2007
Dear Small Group Leader,
Which plant best describes your spiritual life right now: the aimless Tumbleweed that I saw as a young boy growing up in west Texas, the strong Live Oak that I climbed as a teenager on the gulf coast of Texas, or the brittle Bradford Pear that splintered in my front yard three weeks ago?
Some plants can handle the wind better than others. Some Christians can handle the difficulties of life better than others. What makes the difference? I think Jesus gives the answer in his final words to His disciples.
OPEN IT / INTRODUCE IT …
· What did you grow up thinking it meant for a Christian to be “fruitful”?
· How has your view of “fruitful” changed?
LOOK AT IT / STUDY IT …
The Vine
John 15:1, 4-5
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener … 4 No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches.
· Count how many times the “Father” is mentioned in Chapter 14.
· Why is Jesus focusing on the Father in His teaching now?
The Branches
John 15:4-10
4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.
· Since we are the branches, how important is our connection with the vine?
· What do the branches receive from the vine?
· The term “remain” occurs forty times in John’s gospel and it means to “stay” “dwell on” “endure.” Why do the disciples need this?
· What forces and circumstances in life will challenge this connection?
The Fruit
John 15:2-8, 16
2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples … 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit — fruit that will last.
· What is the spiritual value of “pruning” a Christian’s life?
· How might this happen? What would the pruning look like? How would it feel?
· Why do we so easily jump to the conclusion that “fruit” describes people who are converted?
· What else could “fruit” be in this context?
· Why can’t we bear fruit by ourselves (Vs. 4)?
USE IT / APPLY IT …
· Have you ever felt God’s pruning in your life? Explain.
· As a branch how would you describe your connection to Jesus, the Vine?
· How would you describe the fruit in your life – ripe, spoiled, barren? Explain.
Close by asking God to make us a fruitful church.