If It Bears Fruit

Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).

Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In groups of two or three, respond to the following, “If you could ask God one question, what would it be?”

Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read: Luke 13:1-9.

• At least part of what’s going on in the question of verse 2 is an age-old question “Did they die because of their own fault?” It might be a question we too have contemplated. It would certainly make life simpler if we could clearly know the cause of every effect. What tragedy or difficult circumstances have you struggled to comprehend?
• Why do you think Jesus repeats verse 3 in verse 5? How might repentance lead to a life of abundance?
• Read Isaiah 5:1-7. There are numerous times in the Old Testament, as in this Isaiah passage, where the people of Israel are compared to a vineyard. How is there both a threat and a promise in this parable? [There is a threat that judgment will occur for the unfruitful and a promise that there will be mercy and not hasty judgment.]
• How does the parable relate to the previous story?
• (R) What might it look like to be a “fruitful” Christian where you live?

Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.

Sending Forth (2 minutes). End by praying the following or a similar prayer:

God of judgment and grace, we trust that your judgment is pure and righteous. Because of it, we can yearn for a day when “righteousness will be at home.” We can also trust that your judgment and purification lead to a fruitfulness that glorifies you. Help us to welcome your purification through our repentance, that we might better live lives of fruitfulness to your glory. Amen.