“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. 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. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. 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. 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. 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. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. 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.”  John 15:1-11

Fruit is the Plan (v.1-3)

“There is a great market for religious experience in our world; there is little enthusiasm for the patient acquisition of virtue, little inclination to sign up for a long apprenticeship in what earlier generations of Christians called holiness. Religion in our time has been captured by the tourist mindset.”  Eugene Peterson

 Staying is the Way (v.4-8)

Everybody wants a revolution, no one wants to do the dishes.

 Delight is the Reason (v.9-11)

“Late have I loved you, beauty so old and so new: late have I loved you…You were with me, and I was not with you. The lovely things kept me far from you…You called and cried out loud and shattered my deafness. You were radiant and resplendent, you put to flight my blindness. You were fragrant, and I drew in my breath and now pant after you. I tasted you, and I feel but hunger and thirst for you. You touched me, and I am set on fire to attain the peace which is yours.”  Augustine

Discussion Questions:

1. How is “fruit bearing” different from common expectations we have for our Christian lives?

2. What are times in your life you have felt “pruned,” and did you experience growth through that?

3. What “Christian thing” is most likely to draw you away from Christ Himself?

4. How is abiding different from trying to do more? What are ways you can cultivate abiding in daily life?

5. Why is “delight the reason”? How does this shape how we view obedience?