New Wine - End of Week 3

Introduction
The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

OPEN
Share with the group what your favorite fruit is and how you like it prepared?

HEAD

1. Read John 15:1-17 together and share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts from the reading.
2. Do you think the process of pruning is cruel or kind? Explain.
3. Is it possible that the process of pruning hurts?  If so, how might it hurt and if it hurts, why would God hurt us?
4. Jesus says repeatedly to remain or abide in Him.  How does one remain/abide in the course of a day?
5. Read Matthew 7:15-20.  What fruit is produced when you are connected to Jesus?  What fruit comes when you are disconnected from Jesus?  Can you be a Christian and produce bad fruit?  How?  What are you connected to if not Jesus?
6. In John 15:13, Jesus says that there is no greater love than to lay one’s life down for one’s friends.  Jesus went farther; He laid His life down for those who hated Him too.  How does one produce that kind of fruit, that kind of ability, in your life?
7. What does love and commandments/rules have to do with each other?  Which comes first?

HEART

1. Why do you think that for too many professed Christians, love is not enough?  The series guide claims that it involves not having truly met, trusted, or accepted the Jesus of Scriptures or His gospel.  Thoughts?
2. What kinds of practices help you stay focused on Jesus?  Which of those comes easier for you?  Which ones are harder?
3. How can you and I help each other REMAIN/ABIDE in Jesus?

HANDS
Make room in your life this week, if you haven’t already, to lean in to one of your favorite practices that helps you stay connected with Jesus, but also, one practice that is a little harder for you.  At the end of the week, reflect on your journey and if there is something about the more challenging practice that helped your grow or that you might keep as a part of your journey going forward.

LIVING WORDS FOR YOUR WEEK
“All who declare that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.“
1 John 4:15-16 NLT