Memory Work-John 15:5

1. (a) Read John 15, making note of the characteristics that should be evident in the life of a believer.

(b) Does your life manifest these?

2. Read John 15:1-6. (a) Who is the Vine?

(b) What does the Vine do?

(c) How does the Vine work?

(d) What happens to those who abide in the Vine?

(e) Those who do not?

(f) What does Jesus mean in verse 2 that those that don't bear fruit He will take away? Prove your answer from the Bible.

3. Read the following passages to understand the connection between the Vine and Israel. Ps. 80:8-16; Is. 5:1-7; Jer. 2:21; Ezekiel 15; Hosea 10:1.

(a) What was God's desire for the nation of Israel?

(b) What happened instead?

(c) How does this help you understand why Christ refers to Himself as the true Vine in John 15?

(d) What do you notice that runs true with each passage?

4. (a) According to the following verses, what is some of the fruit we should be producing as Christians? Proverbs 11:30

Proverbs 18:21

Proverbs 31:31

Isaiah 3:10

Jer. 17:10

Mt. 3:8

Romans 6:22

Gal. 5:22,23

Eph 5:9,10

Phil 4:17

Heb. 12:11

Heb. 13:15

James 3:18

(b) Are you producing this fruit?

5. (a) What is God's will for the believer according to John 15:16, Ephesians 2:10, and Matthew 25:14-30?

(b) Do you think it is possible for a believer to not bear fruit? Why or why not? Prove your answer from the Word of God.

6. What evidence is in your life that you are abiding in the Vine?

7. Share a time in your life when you know the Vine pruned you. (a) What did you learn?

(b) What were the results?

8. (a) What counsel would you give someone who claims attachment to Christ (the Vine), and yet bears no fruit?

(b) Do you know someone who thinks that they are attached to the Vine and yet they are not bearing fruit?

(c) Would you be willing to share with them over the break your concern? (See Ezek. 33:8)

9. What changes need to be made in your life so that you might bear more fruit for our Lord? Come with a prayer request for your partner.