John 15:1-6

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Vine and the Branches

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Dead wood is removed.

  2. Live wood is pruned.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Have you discovered the key for much fruit?

QUESTIONS

  1. Review the seven “I ams” in John’s gospel.

  2. Why is the true vine significant?

  3. Why does dead wood have to be removed? What is the spiritual application?

  4. Why is live wood pruned? Why are Christians pruned?

  5. What does it mean to abide in Christ?

ANSWERS

  1. “I am the bread” (John 6) “The light” (John 8 and John 9) ”The door” (John 10) “ The good shepherd” (John 10) “The resurrection and the life” (John 11) “The way, the truth and the life” (John 14) “The vine” (John 15)

  2. Throughout the Old Testament, the nation Israel was likened to a vine, but they were fruitless and a degenerate plant. The nation of Israel had turned out to be a false vine, but the Lord Himself is the true vine.

  3. It is unproductive, and it harbors insects and disease, causing rottenness to spread. False professors of Christ are also removed. Judas was an example of dead wood.

  4. To bear more fruit. The secret of a harvest is pruning so the life of the vine can move into the fruit. Christians are pruned so they may bear more fruit. God’s primary way of pruning is through His word.

  5. It means to be walking with the Lord, to be obeying the Lord, being fully dependant on the Lord.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Are you abiding in Christ? What does this mean on a daily basis?

  2. Are you submitting to the Lord’s pruning process? Can you recall specific instances when you were pruned by the Lord? What were the results?

CHALLENGE

  1. Do you tend to do things in your own strength? At times, do you feel that your efforts are in vain? “Without Me you can do nothing.”

KEY VERSES

  • “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.” John 15:1-2

  • “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.” John 15:5



John, Talks, New TestamentDeb HarmsJohn 15:1-6