Step 1: Opening and Introduction to the lesson: What plant best describes you now? Towering oak? Weeping willow? Tumbleweed? Crab apple tree? Other? Explain.
Step 2: Hear – Read: The Vine and the Branches: John 15:1-17.
Step 3: Explore – Discover the Passage
- Identify the vine, vinedresser, and branches. How are they related? Define bear, fruit, prune, clean (ref 13:10), abide, joy. Why must the branch abide in the vine? If vine branches were human lives, what pain would be associated with pruning? What tools? What fruit?
- Jesus repeats remain in me, love and bear fruit. How are these words related? What is the fruit that will last (v. 16)?
- How do verses 9 and 12 tie together? How is love the essential dynamic of the Christian life? How does your relationship with Jesus change once you start practicing his example of love?
- What is the link between obedience and prayer (vv. 7,16: see 24:13-14)?
Step 4: Connect – Apply the Passage:
- As a branch on Christ’s vine, how would you describe the fruit in your life: Grade A-1? Juicy? Green? Wormy? Why?
- Specifically, how would you rate yourself on laying down your life for your friends (v. 13)?
- Do you feel more like Jesus’ servant or his friend? What helps develop the friendship?
ow can you fulfill this commandment
- How can you glorify God? For what purposes has Jesus chosen and appointed you (compare 16b with v. 7)? List the ways love shows in your relationship with Christ? With others?
Step 5: Reflect: If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, … so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
