Journey--Grow - Connected to the True Vine

John 15:1-8 | “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.

“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.

• Why does God “prune” or reshape His followers? 

• To be reshaped, John 15 instructs us to “remain in” or to stay connected to who? 

  • How do we do this? 

  • How connected do you feel to Jesus? How is this linked to how you are/are not being reshaped? 

• When we stay connected to the True Vine (Jesus), what kind of fruit will be seen in our lives? 

  • Which of these fruits do you see in your life? 

  • Which fruits are missing? Why do you think this is and what can you do about it?