Home Group Study Questions // June 22nd

History Session 21: A Disciple’s Relationship To Jesus

 

John 15:4 — “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.”

 

[John 15:4-7; Matthew 28:19-20; Isaiah 5] 

  1. If we were to define the mission of the church, we must begin with Matthew 28:19-20. What is the Great Commission? What does it mean for us?
  2. John 15 can be outlined in 3 parts. The disciples’ relationship to Jesus, the disciples’ relationship with each other, and the disciples’ relationship to the world. What does it mean to have a relationship with Jesus Christ? What picture does Jesus give us in John 15? Why is this a helpful metaphor?
  3. Why does Jesus say, “I am the ’true’ vine”? Why doesn’t he say, “I am the vine”? What is the distinction He is communicating to us?
  4. In Isaiah 5, God compares Israel to his vineyard. What is the context of Isaiah 5? What might this say about Jesus’ statement in John 15?
  5. What does it mean to ‘abide’?
  6. By itself, what is a branch incapable of doing? Why? What must a branch do in order to bear fruit? What is ‘bearing fruit’?
  7. In what ways are we bearing fruit as a church? In what ways are you bearing fruit as a believer in Jesus Christ?
  8. According to Jesus in John 15, if you are not bearing fruit, what happens? What does this mean?
  9. How does John 15 challenge you as a believer in Christ? What does it mean for Emmaus?