abide_a_branch_in_the

As A Branch In The Vine

Adapted from the writings of Andrew Murray

A Goodsoil Discipleship Lesson - Bro. A. Madonio

Lesson Introduction

What this lesson teaches:

* This lesson teaches the beautiful and living relationship of Jesus and His flock - those who Jesus calls His own.

* We are in union with Christ, and that union is complete and close.

* Our relationship with Jesus, as it relates to the furtherance of God's Kingdom, is a relationship of reliance upon each other; Jesus needs us to do His work, and we obviously need Him as well in order to be capable.

* We cannot bear fruit apart from Jesus.

Scripture references used:

* John 15:1-5, Galatians 4:6, Isaiah 64:6, John 17:22.

Other scripture that may be helpful:

* Isaiah 5:1-7, John 6:56-57, John 14:20, 1 John 2:6, 1 John 4:12-13, Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 1:10.

Discussion questions for study:

1. Did you read this lesson in preparation for this week's discussion?

2. Does it seem right to say that the single most important factor in our lives is our relationship with Jesus? (Matthew 6:33)

3. Can you see how our relationship with our Lord is a living relationship? He gives us the proof, and that proof is a living Holy Spirit inside of us!

4. Did the lesson show you how close IN UNION we are with God? (Read Acts 17:27 - God wants us to SEEK Him, and REACH for Him, because when we do we will find He is not far from us!)

5. Is it clear now that without the VINE the BRANCH can do nothing? That without the BRANCH, the VINE will not do it either? Can you understand that BEARING FRUIT for His Kingdom is work that God will not do apart from our participation?

6. Can you see that our job as Christians is to bear fruit? Will you be obedient to the Lord in this?

JOHN 15:5 "I am the Vine; you are the branches."

Who is the vine? Who are the branches?

JOHN 15:5 "If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit."

What is this "fruit" anyway? Don't answer yet. Let's study this in greater detail first. This parable us three important things about the union or relationship of the Vine and the branches.

1. It teaches us the nature of this intimate union between the Vine and the branches.

The connection between the Vine and the branches is a living one. Nothing temporary or external will do. Man can do no work to effect it. The Vine and the branches are connected by the Creator -- God, and He has a purpose for this special connection . . .

Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,

the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father."

The same Holy Spirit that lives in Jesus has become LIFE to all believers! Just as in the Vine and the branch, the union of the Spirit is a life-union that makes us one!

2. This parable teaches us the absolute completeness of the union or relationship between the Vine and the branches.

* It's closer than Johnson & Johnson.

* It's closer than Martin & Lewis.

* It's closer than Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.

* It's closer than a Gillette Trac III.

As I was saying, so close is this union that each can do nothing without the other!

Without the Vine, the branch can do nothing.

No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. John 15:4

Apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5

A believer can be pleasing to God each day only in those things which he does through the power and leading of the Holy Spirit; and only through those things which are obedient to, and align with, the Will of God.

All of us have become like one who is unclean,

and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.

Without the branch, the Vine will do nothing.

(Psssst -- A vine with no branches can bear no fruit. No Kidding!?)

I'm sure you can understand how we can be dependent on Jesus, right? But can you believe the grace (Quicky -- define grace: _____________ ) our Lord shows us by making Himself, as the Vine, dependent on us, the branches?

In a sense, that's exactly what Jesus does. Without His disciples, Jesus can not (by His decision He will not) distribute His blessing to the world. He relies totally (again -- by His own chosen method) upon the Spirit-led prayers and Spirit-led actions of His children. God has never forced anyone to become a Christian. He relies on us obedient "filthy rags" to win souls for His kingdom of etenal life.

* Doesn't that make you feel honored?

* Doesn't that make you feel humbled?

* Doesn't that also make you want to go and

"bear fruit" for Jesus?

By the way -- what is this "fruit" anyway?

* PRAYER (JOHN 15:7)

* JOY (JOHN 15:11 & GAL 5:22-24)

* LOVE (JOHN 15:12; 2 PETER 1:5-8 & GAL 5:22-24)

(NOTE: FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, READ GALATIANS 5:22-24 AND 2 PETER 1:5-8)

All the Vine pssesses belongs to the branches.

A vine has roots which take in nourishment for what important reason: To get fat? To have a good time? NO! To nourish the branches! (That's you and me!) This, in turn, allows allows us to grow and be able to also bear fruit.

I have given them the glory that you gave me,

that they may be one as we are one.

All that Jesus is in Heaven, He is for us! He has no other interest but that of our welfare as believers.

All the branch possess belongs to the Vine.

* A branch does not exist for itself, rather it exists to bear fruit and thus fulfill the purpose of the Vine.

* People who deny who Jesus is and what He did (still does!) for us are actually saying that they are not a part of the Vine -- that they, in fact, don't need the Vine at all. They are effectively saying that they are on their own -- completely independent. Further, they say that anything that comes from them that "seems" to be good, is, they claim, "fruit" of their own manufacture.

ARE THEY CORRECT? Yes or No

3. Finally, this parable teaches us the OBJECT of the union or relationship between the Vine and the branches.

* The Branches are to bear fruit.

He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch

that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

Question: Why does a branch bear fruit anyway?

Answer: To give away to those around us!

Jesus has a great longing desire for us to be fruitful branches. To accomplish this, all we are instructed by Him to do is to . . . .




		Abide In Jesus As A Branch In The Vine Adapted from the writings of Andrew Murray A Goodsoil Discipleship Lesson - Bro. A. Madonio




Lesson Introduction What this lesson teaches: * This lesson teaches the beautiful and living relationship of Jesus and His flock - those who Jesus calls His own. * We are in union with Christ, and that union is complete and close. * Our relationship with Jesus, as it relates to the furtherance of God's Kingdom, is a relationship of reliance upon each other; Jesus needs us to do His work, and we obviously need Him as well in order to be capable. * We cannot bear fruit apart from Jesus. Scripture references used: * John 15:1-5, Galatians 4:6, Isaiah 64:6, John 17:22. Other scripture that may be helpful: * Isaiah 5:1-7, John 6:56-57, John 14:20, 1 John 2:6, 1 John 4:12-13, Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 1:10. Discussion questions for study: 1. Did you read this lesson in preparation for this week's discussion? 2. Does it seem right to say that the single most important factor in our lives is our relationship with Jesus? (Matthew 6:33) 3. Can you see how our relationship with our Lord is a living relationship? He gives us the proof, and that proof is a living Holy Spirit inside of us! 4. Did the lesson show you how close IN UNION we are with God? (Read Acts 17:27 - God wants us to SEEK Him, and REACH for Him, because when we do we will find He is not far from us!) 5. Is it clear now that without the VINE the BRANCH can do nothing? That without the BRANCH, the VINE will not do it either? Can you understand that BEARING FRUIT for His Kingdom is work that God will not do apart from our participation? 6. Can you see that our job as Christians is to bear fruit? Will you be obedient to the Lord in this?



JOHN 15:5 "I am the Vine; you are the branches." Who is the vine? Who are the branches? JOHN 15:5 "If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit." What is this "fruit" anyway? Don't answer yet. Let's study this in greater detail first. This parable us three important things about the union or relationship of the Vine and the branches. 1. It teaches us the nature of this intimate union between the Vine and the branches. The connection between the Vine and the branches is a living one. Nothing temporary or external will do. Man can do no work to effect it. The Vine and the branches are connected by the Creator -- God, and He has a purpose for this special connection . . . Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." Galatians 4:6 The same Holy Spirit that lives in Jesus has become LIFE to all believers! Just as in the Vine and the branch, the union of the Spirit is a life-union that makes us one! 2. This parable teaches us the absolute completeness of the union or relationship between the Vine and the branches. * It's closer than Johnson & Johnson. * It's closer than Martin & Lewis. * It's closer than Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. * It's closer than a Gillette Trac III. As I was saying, so close is this union that each can do nothing without the other! Without the Vine, the branch can do nothing. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. John 15:4 Apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 A believer can be pleasing to God each day only in those things which he does through the power and leading of the Holy Spirit; and only through those things which are obedient to, and align with, the Will of God. All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags. Isaiah 64:6 Without the branch, the Vine will do nothing. (Psssst -- A vine with no branches can bear no fruit. No Kidding!?) I'm sure you can understand how we can be dependent on Jesus, right? But can you believe the grace (Quicky -- define grace: _____________ ) our Lord shows us by making Himself, as the Vine, dependent on us, the branches? In a sense, that's exactly what Jesus does. Without His disciples, Jesus can not (by His decision He will not) distribute His blessing to the world. He relies totally (again -- by His own chosen method) upon the Spirit-led prayers and Spirit-led actions of His children. God has never forced anyone to become a Christian. He relies on us obedient "filthy rags" to win souls for His kingdom of etenal life. * Doesn't that make you feel honored? * Doesn't that make you feel humbled? * Doesn't that also make you want to go and "bear fruit" for Jesus? By the way -- what is this "fruit" anyway? * SOUL WINNING * PRAYER (JOHN 15:7) * JOY (JOHN 15:11 & GAL 5:22-24) * LOVE (JOHN 15:12; 2 PETER 1:5-8 & GAL 5:22-24) (NOTE: FOR A COMPLETE LISTING, READ GALATIANS 5:22-24 AND 2 PETER 1:5-8) All the Vine pssesses belongs to the branches. A vine has roots which take in nourishment for what important reason: To get fat? To have a good time? NO! To nourish the branches! (That's you and me!) This, in turn, allows allows us to grow and be able to also bear fruit. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one. John 17:22 Think of this: All that Jesus is in Heaven, He is for us! He has no other interest but that of our welfare as believers. All the branch possess belongs to the Vine. * A branch does not exist for itself, rather it exists to bear fruit and thus fulfill the purpose of the Vine. * People who deny who Jesus is and what He did (still does!) for us are actually saying that they are not a part of the Vine -- that they, in fact, don't need the Vine at all. They are effectively saying that they are on their own -- completely independent. Further, they say that anything that comes from them that "seems" to be good, is, they claim, "fruit" of their own manufacture. ARE THEY CORRECT? Yes or No 3. Finally, this parable teaches us the OBJECT of the union or relationship between the Vine and the branches. * The Branches are to bear fruit. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. John 15:2 Question: Why does a branch bear fruit anyway? Answer: To give away to those around us! Jesus has a great longing desire for us to be fruitful branches. To accomplish this, all we are instructed by Him to do is to . . . . "ABIDE IN ME"

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