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| Insight: The Old Testament uses the vine and branches as a symbol for the Old people of God. (Look up these passages: Psalm. 80:7, Isaiah 5:1, 2, Hosea 10:1) The emphasis usually was on two facts; 1) God was faithful in planting and caring for his vineyard (people), 2) The people’s unfaithfulness did not yield good fruit. Jesus says he is the “true” vine. This shows graphically that God’s salvation is rooted (centered) in him. Fruitbearing is the direct result of communication (communion) with Jesus. Christians are expected to bear fruit in their lives. To be fruitless is not normal nor is it acceptable to God. Branches, or Christians, that bear fruit are also pruned to bear more fruit. Pruning is purifying or cleansing. • Ask a student to draw a flowchart depicting the relationship between the vinegrower, vines, and branches. • Ask two or three students to read verses 9-17 aloud while the others follow. • Have the class identify and list the five love relationships noted in this text: 1. Father loves His Son, Jesus (v. 9) 2. Jesus’ love for God (v. 10) 3. Jesus loves his disciples as demonstrated in his death (v. 13) 4. Disciples are to love Jesus and abide in his love (v. 10) 5. Disciples are to love others (v. 17) Insight: We must continue in a loving relationship with God through Jesus in order to bear fruit. The benefits of communion (“remaining” or “abiding”) are obedience and joy. Jesus’ primary command to us is to have mutual love for each other. This may be difficult at times, but we grow by caring for and nurturing each other. The church is the community in which we love as God loves us. The clear demonstration of that love is Christ’s example, which we are asked to imitate. Continued... |
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