LESSON1

John15:117
OverviewofThisEightWeekSeriesforLeaders
AsChristfollowersourmissionisclear.Wearecommandedtomakedisciplesofall
nations.ThelastwordsthatJesusspoketoHisdisciplesbeforeHereturnedtoheaven
afterHiscrucifixionandresurrectionfromthedeadarerecordedinMatthew28:1920.
JesuscommandsHisfollowersto,Goandmakedisciplesofallnations,baptizingthem
inthenameoftheFather,theSon,andtheHolySpirit,andteachingthemtoobey
everythingIhavecommandedyou.
Interestingly,wearenotcommandedtomakeconverts,orChristians,butdisciples.In
fact,thewordChristianisfoundonlythreetimesintheBible,buttheworddisciple
isfound269times.TheNewTestamentisabookaboutdisciples,bydisciples,andfor
disciplesofJesusChrist.Jesusknewthattheneedfordisciplestobecomedisciple
makersandcarryonHisministryofreconciliationonearthwasimperative;and2,000
yearslater,theneedfordisciplescarryonChristsministryisjustasimportantasitwas
then.
MostChristfollowersarefamiliarwithTheGreatCommissionfoundinMatthew
28:1920.However,manyofusleaveoutanimportantphraseafterthiscommand.Itis
foundattheendofMatthew28:20whereJesussays,AndsurelyIamwithyoualways,
totheveryendoftheage.Inthispassage,Jesushasjustlaidoutthechallengingtaskof
makingdisciplesofallnations,baptizingandteachingothersallthatHehasspentthree
teachingHisdisciples.
Heissaying,TakeeverythingIhavetaughtyouandmodeledforyouandthen
reproduceitinothersallovertheworld.HeisremindingHisdisciplesthatwhatHehas
taughtthemisnotonlyforthebutforthewholeworld.Andtheverylastwordsthat
ChristsaystothesedisciplesthatHesodearlyloves,thatHeevendiesfor,isthis:And
surelyIamwithyoualways,totheveryendoftheage.
NeverAlone
Whataparadoxicalstatement,justbeforethediscipleswatchJesusascendintoheaven,
physicallyleavingearth.Heisremindingthemthattheyarenotandwillnotbealone.
EventhoughHeisleavingthemphysically,Hispowerandpresencewillbewiththem
alwaysthroughthecomingHolySpirit.AndHispowerandpresenceintheliveswillbe
theonlywaytheycanaccomplishthecommandtomakedisciplesofallnations.
Thesameistrueofustoday.TheonlywaywecanaccomplishChristscommandto
makedisciplesofallnationsisthroughHispowerandpresenceatworkinusandthrough
us.Thequestionsandproblemsweface,withrespecttoJesuscommand,areusuallynot
theologicalinnature,butareofapracticalnature.Thesepracticalissuesarewhatthis
studyseriesisgoingtoaddress.

TheKeyQuestion
How?isthekeyquestionthatwestrugglewiththemost.NowthatImaChrist
follower,howdoIliveoutmyfaith?Atwork?Athome?Allthetime?HowdoIobey
Christscommandtomakedisciplesofallnations?Howdoesthislookinmylifeona
daytodaybasis?HowdoIbegin?HowdoIgrowupandbecomeaneffective
disciple?HowdoItapintoHispowerandstrength?Thesearepracticalquestions.
AndthegoodnewsisweserveapracticalGod!HisWorddoesaddressandapplyto
everydayliving.
Throughoutthisstudy,wearegoingtouncoverthetruthsinGodsWordaboutthatlast
phraseintheGreatCommission(andsurelyIamwithyoualways,totheveryendof
theage)andhowdevelopinganintimaterelationshipwithChrististhekeytoourdayto
daylivesasdisciplesanddisciplemakers.Ifwecangraspandunderstandpractically
thatChristisalwayswithus,andlearntoabideinthatrelationship,wewilldiscoverGod
transformingourlives.AndasHetransformsourlivestolookmorelikeChrist,ourlives
willbearthefruitthatChristslifeboredisciples.Wewillfindourselvesfreefrom
tryingtodowhatmakesusfeelChristlikeandinsteadofbeingwhoGodcreated
ustobe.ThisistheabundantlifethatChristdiedinordertogiveus.
AdditionalBackgroundforThisSeries
OurstudywillfocusonJohn15:117.Thispassageisagreatparalleltothatkey
statementinMatthew28:20becauseinJohn15,Jesuspaintsawordpicture(aparable)of
thetruththatHewillbewithHisdisciplesandbearfruitthroughthemalways.Jesus
workonearthwasalmostcompleteandHewasheadingtothecross.Hehadspentthree
yearsteaching,modelingandtrainingthefutureleadersofthechurch.Hewasentrusting
totheseimperfectleadersthefutureoftheministryHebeganonearth.Hehadspokento
themclearlyattheLastSupperaboutwhatwasabouttohappen.Hewasonthewayto
theGardenofGethsemanetoprayforthemandforallofuswhowouldbelieveasa
resultoftheirfaithfulnesstothemissionHelaidoutforthem.
ChristwantedtobesuretheyunderstoodtheimportanceoftotaldependenceuponHimto
completetheirmissioneventhoughHewouldnolongerbephysicallypresentwiththem.
Hewantedthemtoknowthateverythinghingedonadeep,intimaterelationshipwith
Him,wheretheygaveuptryingtopleaseGodintheirownhumanstrength,andreliedon
Hispoweratworkinthem.SoJesusstoppedonthewaytotheGardentogivethema
parable,astorypicture,sotheywouldnotforgetaboutintimacyanddependenceupon
Him.
HetoldthemtheParableoftheVineinJohn15:117.Thethemeofthisparableisbest
summarizedinonestatementinJohn15:5.Itsays,Iamthevine;youarethebranches.
Ifamanremains(abides)inMeandIinhim,hewillbearmuchfruit;apartfromMeyou
candonothing.InthisparableisthesecretofabundantlivingandfulfillingtheGreat

Commission.Accordingtothisverseabove,itisnotbyconcentratingonbearingfruit,or
tryingreallyhardtobearfruit,butbyremaining,orabiding,inChrist.
ThisstudywillconcentrateontheabsolutenecessityofcontinuouslyabidingintheVine,
andhowtodothatalldayeverydaysowecanbearmuchfruitforthegloryofGod.Itis
ourhopethateveryonewhoparticipatesinthisstudywillreteachittoothersasthey
seektomakedisciplesofallnations.
ThisWeeksLesson:
AbideKnowYourPosition
KeyPassage:John15:18;crossreferences
LessonGoal:ThatwemightbesureweareinChristandthatHeisinus.To
understandthatournewpositioninChristgivesusanewidentitythatiseternally
secure.Therefore,wedonothavetoliveinguilt,fear,andshameanymore.
OpeningActivityChoices
OptionOne:MansBestFriend.Bringaphotoofadog(yourowndogifyoudlike)
anddisplayitsothegroupcanseeit.Leadyourgroupinadiscussionofsomereasons
whydogsareconsideredmansbestfriend.Youmaydiscussthingssuchas
companionship,loyalty,obedience,funtoplaywith,protection,etc.Askthegroupto
discusswhatmakesadogagoodpet.Howdoesagooddogrelatetoitsowner?
Usethisdiscussiontoillustratehowwelltraineddogsareconstantlywatchingand
respondingtotheirmaster.Welltraineddogsknowandunderstandthecommandsof
theirmasterandrespondtohisleadership.Explainthatthisisasimpleillustrationof
whatitmeanstoremain(abide)inChrist.
OptionTwo:ForNewerGroups.Ifyourgroupisnew,divideyourgroupinto3or4
couples,or3or4singleadults,andhavethemsharesomethingabouttheirfamilyorself,
howlongtheyhavebeenatBrookHills,whytheyareattendingBrookHills,andwhat
theyhopetogetoutofthestudy.Remindeveryoneoftheimportanceofmutual
acceptance,respect,trust,confidentiality,andengagementwiththestudyasyougrow
together.
OpeningPrayer
BeginyourtimeinstudyofGodsWordbyprayingforyourgroup.PraythatGodwill
opentheheartsofeverypersonandrevealHimselftoyouallinanewwayasyoustudy
anddiscussHisWordtogether.PraythattheHolySpiritwillguideyouintothetruthand
showyouallhowtoapplywhatyoulearntoyourlivesinapracticalway.Andpraythat
Godwillbeglorifiedthroughyourdiscussiontoday.
ThisWeeksStudy

Usingtheseriesintroductionatthebeginningofthelesson,explaintoyourgroupthe
backgroundandfoundationfortheabideseriesyouarebeginningtoday.Haveyour
groupopentheirBiblestoJohn15:117.Explainthatthispassageisthebasisforour
studyforthenext8weeks.Haveavolunteerreadthispassagealoud.UsingtheLesson
OneBackgroundatthebeginningofthelesson,explainthecontextofthisparabletothe
group.Now,explainthattodayslessonwillfocusonverses18.Haveavolunteerread
verses18aloudagainasthegroupfollowsalong.
TheKeyCharacters
Thefirstthingweneedtodoinordertoproperlyinterpretandapplythispassageisto
identifyanddefinethekeycharactersinthisparable.Itisimportanttorememberthat
JesusistellingthisstorytoHisdisciplessoitiswritteninfirstperson.Soeverytimea
personalpronounsuchasIorMeisused,ChristisreferringtoHimself.Inverse1
Jesussays,Iamthetruevine,andMyFatheristhegardener.Theninverse2,Jesus
beginstodiscussbranchesthatareinMe.Thebranchesareintendedtobearfruit,
andthepassageexplainshowtheFather(thegardener)prunesandcutsoff(which
literallymeanstoliftup)thesebranchestocultivatefruitbearingthroughthem.
Inverse4,JesusmakesclearthatHisfollowersarethesebrancheswhenHesays,No
branchcanbearfruitbyitself;itmustremaininthevine.Neithercanyoubearfruit
unlessyouremaininMe.Youisalwayspluralinthisstudy.Sointhisparablewesee
thatChrististhevine,GodtheFatheristhegardener,Christsdisciplesarethebranches,
andthepurposeofthebranchesistobearfruitsothatGodsnamewillbeglorified
amongthenations.
Throughoutourstudy,itwillbeimportanttorememberwhothecharactersareinthis
parable.Jesusoutlinesspecificallyforuswhothevine,gardenerandbranchesarefora
reason.Eachcharacterhasapurpose,roleandpositioninfruitbearing.Ifthevine
beginstoactasthebranch,orthebranchtriestoactasthegardenerorthevine,nofruit
willresult.Andaccordingtoverse16inthispassage,thepurposeofourlives(the
branches),istobearfruitthatwilllastsoGodwillreceiveglory.
Leadyourgroupinadiscussionofthekeycharactersinthispassageusingthe
informationprovidedaboveandthefollowingquestions.Youmaywanttomakealiston
theboardasyourgroupidentifieseachcharacter.

HowdoesJesusidentifyanddescribeHimselfandHisFatherinverse1?
Inverse2,Jesusidentifiesbranches.Wherearethesebranchesaccordingtoverse
2?
Whodothebranchesrepresentinthisparable?
Dothebranchesholdthemselvesinplace,ordoesthevineholdthebranchesin
place?
WhatisthecomparisonJesusmakesinverse4betweenthebranchesandHis
disciples?Howaretheyalike?

Accordingtoverse4,whatisthepurposeofabranch?
Accordingtoverse16,whatisGodspurposeforHisfollowers?

OurNewPosition
InJohn15,Jesussuppliestheanswertoanunstatedquestionthateverybelieverislikely
toaskhimselfatsometimeinhislife,howismylifegoingtobedifferentnow?
WhatdoIhavenowthatIhaveplacedmyfaithinChristthatIdidnotbefore?When
someonecomestofaithinChrist,manytimesthefocusisonhowhisbehaviorshould
changeinsteadofhowhispositionhaschanged.Theinnerchangesthattakeplacewhen
wesurrenderourlivestoChristleadstoourouterchangesinbehavior;butmanytimes
wethinkitistheotherwayaround.Weplacetoomuchemphasisondoingornot
doingcertainthings.
Inthisillustrationfromnature,JesustellsusthattheChristianlifeisbasedona
relationship,notreligiousrules,regulations,orthingswedo.Itissimplyarelationship
betweenChristandtheindividualdisciple.Inthisparable,thereislittlefocusonthe
disciplesdoinganythingexceptabidinginChristatalltimes.Heillustratesthistruth
byusingtheexampleofavineanditsbranches.Justasthevineanditsbrancheshavean
innerrelationshipinwhichthesapofthevineflowsthroughthebranchandgivesitlife;
thediscipleofChristshouldhavealifereceivingintimaterelationshipwithJesusChrist.
Thisrelationshipshouldbetheabsolutefocusofeverydiscipleslife.
AsChristfollowers,wehaveanewpositioninlife.ThephraseinMeorinthevine
isusedseventimesintheparabletodescribeourpositioninChristifwehaveconfessed
HimasourLordandSaviorandreceivedHisgraceandforgiveness.Thephraseinyou
orinhimisusedtwicetodescribethepresenceofChristandtheHolySpiritinusafter
wetrustinChristforsalvation.AccordingtoEphesians1:1314,themomentweputour
faithinChristforoursalvationtheHolySpiritsealsusinChristandentersourbodiesas
adepositguaranteeingournewpositioninChrist.
ContinuallyReminded
NoticewhatChristsaysinverse3.Hesays,Youarealreadycleanbecauseoftheword
Ihavespokentoyou.ThenHesaysinverse4,Remain(abide)inMeandIwillremain
(abide)inyou.Nobranchcanbearfruitbyitself;itmustremain(abide)inthevine.
Neithercanyoubearfruitunlessyouremain(abide)inMe.Throughouttherestofthe
passage,Jesusstatesoverandover,Iamthevineandyouarethebranches.He
continuallyremindsthemoftheirpositioninHim.Verse3helpstoexplainthat
position.
NoticethatJesussays,Youarealreadyclean.Thewordalreadyindicatesapast,
completedactionbyChristandthecurrentpositionofthenewbelieverinrelationto
Christ.IfweplaceourfaithinChristandconfessHimasourLordandSaviorHe
forgivesoursinsandmakesusclean(see1John1:9).ChristisremindingHisdisciples

thatitisnottheirjobtomakethemselvescleanwithalistofrulesandregulations.Christ
hasalreadymadethemclean.
Then,inverse4,HetellsthemtoabideinHimjustlikeabranchabidesinthevineso
theycanbearfruit.Atthispoint,itwillbehelpfultounderstandhowavineandabranch
relatetooneanotherinnaturesincethisistheexampleChristgivesusofhowweareto
beinrelationshipwithHim.Inhisbook,TheTrueVine,AndrewMurraydiscussesthe
branchanditsrelationshiptothevine.Murraypointsoutthatabranchissimplyapiece
ofwood,producedbythevineforonepurposetobearfruit.
Withoutthebranch,thevinewouldbearnofruit.Thebranchhasonlyonepurposefor
existencetobearthefruitthatthevineproduces.Thebranchgivesitselfwhollytothis
purpose.Inthesameway,theChristfollowerhasonereasonforbeingabranchone
reasonforexistingonthisearththattheTrueVinemaybearfruitthroughhislife.
ThatiswhyChristcontinuestoremindHisfollowersoftheirpositioninHim.In
Christsexampleinnature,thebranchisintheimageofthevine.Theyarealike.The
onlydifferenceisthatthevineisgreatandstrong,andthebranchesaresmallandfeeble,
constantlyneedingandreceivingstrengthfromthevine.Thevinehasstoredupsapand
strength,notforitself,butforthebranches.
Thebrancheshavenothingexceptwhattheyreceivefromthevine.Theyarekeptin
placebethevineandaretotallydependentuponthevineforstrengthandnourishment.
SoweseeinChristsexampleapictureoftotaldependenceuponHimtoprovideallwe
needforlife.ThisiswhatitmeanstobeinChrist.Thisisthepositionofevery
believer.HereareafewcrossreferencesthatteachusaboutournewpositionintheTrue
Vine.
2Corinthians5:17
Therefore,ifanyoneisinChrist,heisanewcreation;theoldhasgone,thenewhas
come!
Ephesians4:2224
Youweretaught,withregardtoyourformerwayoflife,toputoffyouroldself,which
isbeingcorruptedbyitsdeceitfuldesires;tobemadenewintheattitudeofyourminds;
andtoputonthenewself,createdtobelikeGodintruerighteousnessandholiness.
John10:2729
Mysheeplistentomyvoice;Iknowthem,andtheyfollowme.Igivethemeternallife,
andtheyshallneverperish;noonecaneversnatchthemoutofmyhand.MyFather
whohasgiventhemtome,isgreaterthanall;noonecansnatchthemoutofmyFathers
hand.

SoifsomeoneisnotinChrist,whereishe?Inordertotrulygraspournewpositionin
Christ,wemustunderstandourpositionoutsideofChrist.Thefollowingcross
referencesexplainourformerposition,andwhybeinginChristissovitalforevery
believer.
1Corinthians15:2122
Forsincedeathcamethroughaman(Adam),theresurrectionofthedeadcomesalso
throughaman(Christ).ForasinAdamalldie,soinChristallwillbemadealive.
Romans6:23
Forthewagesofsinisdeath,butthegiftofGodiseternallifeinChristJesusour
Lord.
Ephesians2:45
ButbecauseofHisgreatloveforus,God,whoisrichinmercy,madeusalivewith
Christevenwhenweweredeadintransgressionsitisbygraceyouhavebeensaved.
Inthesesixreferences,weseeastarkcontrastbetweenlifeoutsideofChrist,andlifein
Christaftersalvation.
Usingthecommentaryaboveonthevineandthebranch,explaintherelationshipofthe
vineandbranchinnature.Then,usingthefollowingquestions,leadyourgroupina
discussionaboutwhatitmeansthatasbelieverswegainanewpositioninChrist.

AccordingtothisparableinJohn15,whatisthebelieversnewpositioninlife?
UsingJesusexampleofthevineandthebranch,whatdoesthismeanpractically
thatabelieverisinChrist?
HowdoesthistruthofbeinginChristaffectourlivesinthesamewaythatthe
vineaffectsthelifeofthebranch?Bespecificinyourdiscussioninordertohelp
yourgroupbegintoseethepracticalapplicationofbeinginChrist.
HowdoesJesusdescribeHisdisciplesinJohn15:3?
WhydoyouthinkJesussaysthattheyarealreadyclean?Whatmightthis
indicateabouttheirrelationshipwithHim?
DoyouthinkChristianstodaycoulduseagoodreminderthattheyarealready
clean?Inotherwords,doyouthinkmanybelieverslivetheirlivesinanattempt
tocleanthemselves,notunderstandingtheirpositionasalreadycleanin
Christ?
Afterremindingthemthattheyarealreadyclean,whatinstructionsdoesJesus
giveHisdisciplesinverse4?

SharewithyourgroupthatJesususestheterminMeorinthevineseventimesin
thisparabletodescribeourrelationshipwithChrist.Explainthattheyaregoingtospend
afewminutesinsmallergroupstakingadeeperlookatScriptureonwhatitmeanstobe
inChrist,andoutsideofChrist.Divideyourgroupaccordingtosizeandassignthe

crossreferencestodifferentgroups.Givethemafewminutestodiscusstheseverses
togetherandthenbringthegroupbacktogethertoshareanddiscusswhattheylearned.
Astheysharewhattheylearned,listthecharacteristicsoflifeinChristinonecolumn
ontheboard,andthecharacteristicsoflifeoutsideofChristinanothercolumn.
CrossReferenceVerses:
2Corinthians5:17
Ephesians4:2224
John10:2729
1Corinthians15:2122
Romans6:23
Ephesians2:45
Ephesians1:48

Innature,whichproducesfruit,thevineorthebranch?
Whatisthedifferencebetweenproducingandbearingfruit?
Whythen,isitsoimportantthatasbelieversweabideintheVineinorderto
bearfruit?
IfwedontabideintheVinewilltherebeanyfruitforustobear?Howdoyou
knowbasedonJesusexampleinthisparable?
DoyouthinkthatmostChristiansunderstandandlivetobearfruit,orarethey
strivingtoproduceit?
Discusshowlivingtoproducefruitasabranchleadstoweariness,frustration,
etc.

AbideInMe
ItisimportantJesuscommandtoabideinMeinJohn15:4notbemisinterpreted.The
instructiontoremain(abide)inChrist,andHewillabideinyoudoesnotrefertoour
positionregardingsalvation.WehaveseenthatwhenweplaceourfaithinChrist,He
forgivesus,cleansesus,andtheresultisthatourpositionisnolongerinAdam,butin
Christforalleternity!Thisisasecurepositionthatwillneverchange.Jesusisnot
teachingHisdiscipleshowtobecomeintheVine.
HeisremindingthemthattheyarealreadyintheVine.Thecommandinverse4to
abideinMeisnotreferringtolosingsalvation.Itisremindingushowtobearfruitin
oursalvationbecausethisisthepurposeforwhichChristsavesussothatHecan
produceHisfruitthroughourlives.Christisencouragingcompletedependenceupon
Him.Onlythenwillwebearfruitthatwilllast.
TheTrueVine
JesusdescribesHimselfinJohn15:1asthetruevine,notoneofmanyvines.This
referencepresupposesthattheremustbeuntrue,orfalsevines.Thefollowingcross
referencestakeacloserlookattheimportanceofChristbeingthetruevineandhowthis
assureseverybelieverthatheiseternallysecureinhisrelationshipwithChrist.

John10:89
AllwhoevercamebeforeMe(Christ)werethievesandrobbers,butthesheepdidnot
listentothem.Iamthegate;whoeverentersthroughMewillbesaved.Hewillcomein
andgoout,andfindpasture.
Acts4:12
Salvationisfoundinnooneelse,forthereisnoothernameunderheavengiventomen
bywhichwemustbesaved.
John14:6
Jesusanswered,Iamthewayandthetruthandthelife.NoonecomestotheFather
exceptthroughMe.
Usingthesecrossreferencesandthefollowingquestions,leadyourgroupinadiscussion
ofwhyChrististhetruevineandwhatthismeansforeveryonewhoplaceshisfaithin
Christ.

WhydoyouthinkJesususedthewordtruetodescribeHimselfinJohn15:1?
Whatmightthistellyouaboutotherreligiousleadersinthedisciplestime?
Dowetodayfacefalsevines?Explainyouranswer.
AccordingtoActs4:12,whereissalvationfound?Isthistheonlyplaceitis
found?Hasanyoneelseeverconqueredsinanddeaththenrosetolife?
AccordingtoJohn14:6,whatistheonlywaytocometotheFatherforeternal
life?
HowdoesJesusdescribeotherreligiousleadersinJohn10:710?
Howdotheseversesassureapersonthatheiseternallysecureinhisrelationship
withChrist?
DoyouthinkmanyChristiansstrugglewithassuranceofsalvation?Whyisthat
thecase?
WhycanwehaveconfidenceinournewpositioninChrist?Isthisconfidence
foundinanythingweourselvesdo?Ifnot,inwhatisitfound?

DependingOnGod
WehaveestablishedthekeycharactersinJohn15.WehaveexaminedGodsWordto
understandwhatChristmeantwhenHetaughtHisfollowersthattheywereinHim,
andcommandedthemtoremain(abide)there.WehaveseenthatJesusisthetruevine;
therefore,oursalvationandpositionasHischildareeternallysecure.Theroleofthe
vineistoholdthebranchinplace.Thebranchsimplyabides(remains)wherethe
gardenerputit.Thevinebearsthebranch,strengthensthebranch,supportsthebranch,
giveslifetothebranch,andlivesthroughthebranchmakingitfruitful.
Branchesaremadesecureinthevinebythegardenerashegraftsthemintothevine.The
processofgraftingiswhenagardenertakesthebudorshootofaplantortreeandinserts

thisnewbudintothestemortrunkofanotherwhereitcontinuestogrow,becominga
permanentpart.NoticeinthisparablethatbeforeChristevertellsHisfollowersto
remain(abide)inHim,HedirectstheirattentiontoGod,thegardener,inJohn15:1.The
vineisdependentonthegardener,andthebranchesaredependentonthevine.Christis
teachingusthatultimately,itisGodtheFatherwhoisworkinginandthroughourlives.
AttherootofthisparableisthetruththattheChristianlifecomesdowntoonesimple
truth.WearetoleaveourlivesinGodshands,livingintotaldependenceonHim,
trustingthatHewillgiveusallthatweneed.Remember,ChristcametobringustoGod.
ChristthevinepointstoGodthegardener.ScripturedescribeshowGodhasgraftedusin
totheVineinseveraldifferentways.
Letslookatsomecrossreferencesthatwillhelpustofurtherunderstandtheworkof
GodtheGardenerinourlivesasbranchesinChristtheVine.
Ephesians1:45
ForGodchoseusinHim(Christ)beforethecreationoftheworldtobeholyand
blamelessinHissight.Inlove,HepredestinedustobeadoptedasHissonsthrough
JesusChrist,inaccordancewithHispleasureandwill.
Ephesians1:13
AndyoualsowereincludedinChristwhenyouheardthewordoftruth,theGospelof
yoursalvation.Havingbelieved,youweremarkedinHimwithaseal,thepromisedHoly
Spirit.
Romans3:2224
ThisrighteousnessfromGodcomesthroughfaithinJesusChristtoallwhobelieve.
Thereisnodifference,forallhavesinnedandfallshortofthegloryofGod,andare
justifiedfreelybyHisgracethroughtheredemptionthatcamebyChristJesus.
LookforthekeywordsintheseversesthatdescribethegraftingworkofGodthe
Father.Wordssuchaschose,adopted,included,marked,sealed,and
justified.ThesewordsshowustheworkofGodasthegardenerwhograftsusinto
Christ,theonlyTrueVine.
Usingtheinformationaboveandthefollowingquestions,leadyourgroupinadiscussion
abouthowGodisthegardenerwhograftsusintoournewpositionintheVine.

InChristsexampleinnature,whatistheroleofthegardenerinrelationshipto
thevineandthebranches?Whatdoeshedo?Howdoeshisworkaffectthevine
andthebranches?
HowdoesthisillustratetheworkofGodinthelivesofChristsdisciples?

Haveyourgroupturntothecrossreferenceslistedaboveandaskthreevolunteerstoread
theversesaloud.Then,leadadiscussionoftheseversesandhowtheyillustratethework
ofGodastheonewhograftsusintoChrist.Remembertopointoutthekeywordsthat
describethisworkthatarelistedinthecommentaryabove.Youmayevenwanttolist
thesekeywordsontheboardtohelpfocustheirattentionontheworkofGodinour
lives.

Whenyoulookatthesekeywords,whatdoesitmakeyouthinkaboutyour
salvation?AreyousecureinChrist?
InJesusexampleinnature,discusstherolesofthegardener,thevineandthe
branches.Whodoestheworkinfruitbeingproducedbythevineandborneby
thebranches?Ultimately,whoseworkdeterminestheoutcomeoffruit?Where
doestheresponsibilityultimatelylie?
FollowingJesuswordpictureandexampleinthisparable,whodoestheworkof
salvation,thebranchesorthegardener?Howdothecrossreferenceverseswe
justreadteachthistruth?
HowdoesthissimpletruthfromnatureapplytoourlivesinChristoncewe
havereceivedGodsgraceandforgiveness?Whodoestheworkofmakingus
fruitful?Whatisourroleintheprocess?
Indailylife,whatdoesitmeantoremainintheVine?
HowwillthistruthchangethewayweunderstandandliveourlivesasChrist
followers?Bespecificinyouranswer.

Conclusion
Christisthetruevine.Godisthegardener.AlldisciplesofChristarethebranches,and
theirsolepurposeistobearthefruitofthevine.Asbelievers,ourpositionisinChrist.
Godputusthere,andHekeepsusthere.WemustsurrenderouroldidentityinAdam
inordertobegraftedintotheVineandgivennewlife,anewidentity,andanewpurpose.
OnlyaswewillinglygivecontrolovertotheGardenerandsubmittotheVinecanwe
experiencethisnewlifethewayitisintendedtobelived.Sincewenowaresecureinthe
Vine,thereisnoneedtoliveinguilt,shameorfearinrelationtoGod.Wehavebeen
chosen,adopted,included,marked,sealedandjustifiedfreelybyGodsgrace.Wearein
Christ,anewcreation,recreatedbytheGardenerinthelikenessoftheVine.Nowwe
arefree.Wearefreetoremain(abide)whereGodhasplacedus,tosurrender,tobear
fruitforthegloryofGod.AndrememberChristslastwordsonearth,AndsurelyIam
withyou,eventotheendoftheage.
AdditionalApplication
1)
Thisweek,dailythankGodforyournewandsecurepositioninChrist.
2)
SeektoreadEphesians1andJohn15acoupleoftimesthisweek.AskGodto
continuetoteachyoumorethingsaboutwhatitmeanstobeinChristandabidingin
Him.
Additionallessonsandinformationareavailableatwww.godswordisgood.org.