Sermon Response Guide
PRIMARY SCRIPTURE:
John 15:1-17 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. 3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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. 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. 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. 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. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I 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 be in you, and that your joy may be full.
12 “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command you. 15 No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 17 These things I command you, so that you will love one another.
Key Points
- Jesus is the I AM.
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Jesus is the true vine.
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An encounter with Jesus sets us free, but our habits keep us free.
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We were created to abide in God, with God, and for God.
Memory Verse
Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:
“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.” - John 15:5 ESV
Questions for Reflection
Take time to reflect and respond to these questions on your own in the presence of the Holy Spirit, or with trusted friends or family members:
1: When Jesus says he is the true vine, what do you think he means?
2: What does it mean to bear fruit, and what’s the point?
3: How do we bear fruit and – as Jesus said – even more fruit?
4: Read John 15:26-27 and Galatians 5:22-25, then answer the questions that follow.
- Who is the Holy Spirit and what does the Holy Spirit do?
- What is the first fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5:22?
- How do these passages relate to our sermon this week?
5: When was a time you felt like you were really abiding in (living in) God’s love?
6: What is the primary truth God revealed to you today?
- How will you respond?
- Who do you know who you can encourage with the truth this week?
Pray
Lord, you are the true vine. We are the branches. You designed us to always remain connected to you, and to continue to bear life-giving fruit. We confess we are tired of trying to manufacture fruit on our own. It’s killing us. Help us see and believe we were created by you and for you. Teach us how to make a home in your love, constantly breathing in more of you so we can breathe out more of your love into the world around us.
