John 15:5 “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. This remaining will produce much fruit in you. The next statement is important; “apart from me you can do nothing.”What does this mean? Is it true that we can do nothing of significance without Christ? That may be a strong statement, too strong....  Read More

John 15:4. . . Remain in me. . .We should talk just about this text today. It is just a little part of a much greater whole, but it makes sense to linger here.While working on my doctoral thesis, I spent much time thinking, studying, and exegeting the idea of the Trinity as a model for community. This one phrase stuck in my mind above all the other phrases: “Mutual Abiding.”The more I studied it, ...  Read More

John 15:3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 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.So the pruning did not take the branch away, rather, it purified it and made it able to produce good fruit. If you are like me, for many years I found this ...  Read More

John 15:1“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 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.Have you ever hung out in a vineyard? Weirdly, I have. I spent one year in the Napa Valley attending Pacific Union College. It was a great year. I had a great time, and I was able to hang out wi...  Read More

INTRODUCTIONThe 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.OPENOne can study for decades how to properly grow and care for a vineyard to produce not only the best fruit, but a great wine.  Have you ever planted a garden, or grown something from seed to plant or fruit?  Sh...  Read More

Luke 9:59 He said to another person, “Come, follow me.”The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”60 But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”61 Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.”62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand...  Read More