Develop a Discipleship System
Fellowship – Snacks or a Meal (10 minutes with snacks; longer, obviously, if there is a meal).
Gathering Time (5-10 minutes). In pairs or groups of three, have participants answer, “What images come to you when you hear the word “fruitful”?
Group Dialogue (Approximately 30 minutes). Read John 15:1-8.
- Who is “the true vine” and “vinegrower”? [Jesus is the true vine, and God is the vinegrower. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower” (John 15:1).
- What happens to branches that do not bear fruit? [“He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit..." (John 15:2a).]
- “Abide in me as I abide in you,” verse 4a, is translated in different ways. “Abide” was defined as “remain” (Common English Bible), “dwell” (AMPC Amplified Bible, Classic Edition), and “stay joined to me” (Contemporary English Version).
- Which translation of the word do you prefer and why?
- The Preaching Notes for April 28 say, “There is also a warning – watch out for pruning. Not because of being cut off so much as being left out. We always read this as judgment, and it is. But the real power of the image is that what is pruned misses the vitality of connection; you miss the verdant life offered; you miss out on the sustenance and strengthening and the glory of growth and life and joy. And you miss the opportunity to produce fruit.”
- What does it mean to you that we need to “watch out for pruning”?
- Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches” (John 15:5a). How might you be more fruitful in your life and your church as his branch? Are there things you can do this week to abide more in Jesus?
Prayer (10 minutes). Share prayer requests and respond appropriately.
Sending Forth (2 minutes). End with the following prayer, a similar prayer, or the Lord’s Prayer:
Gracious and loving God, we come before You as branches seeking nourishment from Jesus, our true Vine. Help us to abide in Him, so that we may bear abundant fruit that glorifies Your name. May our lives reflect Your love and grace to all around us. Amen.
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Rev. Motoe Yamada Foor, Director of Adult Discipleship, served in local churches for twenty years. She has a wealth of experience at a variety of organizational levels of The United Methodist Church as well as in ecumenical organizations such as the World Council of Churches (WCC). She also enjoys serving as a coach to help people and churches grow.
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