Indiana Wesleyan University Abiding in Jesus Questions Discussion
Getting StartedJohn 15: 1-11 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 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. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 10:9-119 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. 10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.ResourcesBibleBackground InformationWhat is the secret to the Christian life; to being more like Christ and bearing fruit for the Kingdom of God? What does Jesus mean when he talks about those who follow him having abundant life or life to the full? How does this work?In the passage from John 15 above, Jesus says the secret to a fruitful life is remaining in Him. To abide in Him. Like a branch on a vine, we are only alive, growing and able to produce fruit if we stay connected and don’t cut ourselves off from the source of our life and energy. Because Jesus is a living person, this means that we seek to talk with, listen to and ask for his guidance in all we do. We seek to go where he says to go, to do what he says to do and say what he says to say. When we are wrong we repent. When we fall, we let Him help us get back up. We constantly seek to hear and follow our Lord, leader and friend. We do not just participate in religious rituals, meditate, do good works, or seek connection with an unknown higher power like those who don’t know him, but stay connected in real relationship with the living person of Christ through the Holy Spirit. When we do this, we remain in him and he remains in us. We stay connected.In John chapter 15, one essential way Jesus says we stay connected to Him is through words. We cannot intimately know and understand someone without knowing their words, thoughts and perspectives. Jesus says that abiding in him means having his words remain in us. Staying conncetd means we know how he thinks and what he would say. To know someone’s words is to know their will, their desires and priorities. As we remain in Christ’s words (as given to us in the Bible), we will be able to ask God for things that align with his will, and he will answer.Another way Jesus says we stay connected in this passage is through love. Even without words, we stay connected to others by being in their presence and loving them with our hearts, affections and service. Jesus tells us to remember that he loves us and to stay connected in a relationship of love with him by obeying his commands. We cannot live in relationship with someone and purposefully reject or disobey them and expect to stay connected. Abiding and remaining in relationship with Jesus means seeking to both understand and do what he says. Jesus says the results of living this way and remaining in him will be joy that is complete. Understanding the importance of abiding and that we cannot produce fruit, either in our personal lives or for the kingdom, outside of Christ, is vital. Without Christ, we can do nothing. We are not the vine and we are not the gardener in Jesus example. We are the branches whose job is to stay connected to the vine, letting his power work in and through us and allowing him to prune us where needed so we can bear even more fruit. As we stay connected, the fruit will come both in us and in our ability for God to use us in making a difference in the lives of others. The most important thing we can do each day is spend time with Jesus, connecting with his love and his words and seeking to stay that way all day. A Wonderful SaviorA wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,A wonderful Savior to me;He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,Where rivers of pleasure I see.Refrain:He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock,That shadows a dry, thirsty land;He hideth my life in the depths of His love,And covers me there with His hand,And covers me there with His hand.A wonderful Savior is Jesus my Lord,He taketh my burden away,He holdeth me up and I shall not be moved,He giveth me strength as my day.With numberless blessings each moment He crowns,And filled with His fullness divine,I sing in my rapture, oh, glory to God!For such a Redeemer as mine.When clothed with His brightness transported I riseTo meet Him in clouds of the sky,His perfect salvation, His wonderful love,I’ll shout with the millions on high. Prayer:Jesus, teach me how to abide in you – to hear your voice, know your presence, experience your love and be a channel of your grace and truth. Amen.InstructionsReview the rubric to make sure you understand the criteria for earning your grade.Read the words of the hymn out loud, reflecting and using it as a prayer as you consider its meaning and message.Respond to the following questions by posting your answers in the discussion:
Why is the picture of the vine and branches an important idea? How is this approach to change and a relationship with God, different from what you have been taught or from other religions or approaches to spirituality? Why does it matter?What is your current practice or approach to trying to stay connected with Jesus? What do you find most hepful and meaningful?At this point in your faith journey, do you feel you know Jesus’ words well enough to know what his priorities, perspective and purposes might be as you go through your day? Explain.How have you experienced life more fully or more filled with joy as a result of knowing or abiding in Jesus?