Read John 15:1-17
- What is your first impression of this passage?
- What do you find confusing?
- What do you find challenging?
- What do you find comforting?
- What do you find scary?
- Imagine Jesus is speaking directly to you, what is he saying?
- John 15:5
- John 15:9
- John 15:9
- John 15:15
- John 15:16
- How do you feel as you read this passage?
- How does it feel to read that if we are to abide in his love, we must keep his commandments?
- Bribery into obedience?
- Sharing the secret to knowing the Father’s love?
- Asking too much?
- He doesn’t love me?
- That’s how I show my love for him?
- How do you feel about Jesus ordaining that I bear fruit that will last?
- For me to abide in Christ, I need to do what?
- In response to Jesus speaking to me through this passage, how will I behave differently than I have been?
Additional Question for Further Study:
Open It
1. What are the marks of a true friendship?
2. What do you do to maintain your friendships?
Explore It
1. How are Jesus and the Father related? (15:1)
2. What is Jesus and who is the Father? (15:1)
3. How does the gardener tend to the branches that bear fruit and the branches that do not? (15:2)
4. What did Jesus say the branches must do in order to bear fruit? (15:4)
5. Who are the branches? (15:5)
6. What did Jesus say would happen to the branches that did not remain in Him? (15:6)
7. What privilege was given to the branches that remained in the vine? (15:7)
8. What would be demonstrated by the disciples’ bearing much fruit? (15:8)
9. What did Jesus urge His disciples to do? (15:9)
10. How were Jesus’ disciples to remain in His love? (15:10)
11. Why did Jesus talk with His disciples about vines and branches? (15:11)
12. What command did Jesus give His disciples? (15:12)
13. What is the greatest manifestation of love? (15:13)
14. Who did Jesus say were His friends? (15:14)
15. Why did Jesus call His disciples friends? (15:15)
16. Why did Jesus choose His disciples? (15:16)
17. What was Jesus’ command? (15:17)
Get It
1. How are we to remain in Jesus? Why?
2. What does it mean to bear fruit as a Christian?
3. How are we to bear fruit?
4. When is it difficult to develop and maintain a personal relationship with Jesus?
5. In what way has God been removing “dead” or useless pieces from your character?
6. In what way is your joy complete?
7. When do you struggle with loving others the way Jesus has loved you?
8. What kind of friend are you to Jesus?
9. Why is it hard to be Jesus’ friend?
Apply It
1. What steps can you take to develop a more intimate relationship with Christ?
2. How can you be a better friend to Jesus beginning today?