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The online groups guide is designed as a teaching series companion to foster discussion, study, and prayer, especially in a group setting.
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Love
Teaching Text: John 15: 1-5
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
Themes
Consider these themes and ask your group what else they see in the passage:
The Mystery of intimacy and fruitfulness
Formation
Thoughts and notes you can use for discussion:
What are you most excited about for 2024?
Where can I trust you more this year?
One relationship I want to work on specifically this year is:
Epiphany: Moment of great revelation. Particularly, as it relates to the church calendar, it is a realization of what life is like in light of the appearance of Jesus.
Genesis 12 Abraham has a significant moment. Mark sayers says of this moment:
“I like to imagine Abraham, looking every bit the madman, staring out into the frightening void of the dark desert. Feeling a pull, a powerful tow toward a nameless, unseen God. Behind him, all the might of the city, the walls of the grain storehouses. From the towering pyramid shaped temple he can hear the drums, screams, and pagan chanting. In his gut, the doubt, the conflicting emotions, the fear that everything he has believed until now is wrong. The city represented safety, comfort, the known. In front of him, the desert representing death, darkness, mystery, and the unknown. Then the resolution, the determination, the trust, followed by the first step, away from the city, away from Ur. The first step of faith into the unknown, into the arms of God.” – MARK SAYERS
Into the arms of God. The work of building a nation that will bless the world and bend the story towards redemption begins with conversation, friendship, the beginning of intimacy.
David Was king over Israel and known for his intimacy with God.
We have so many amazing Psalms displaying this.
The golden age King, whom all others would be compared to, was shaped and sustained by prayer.
All these stories remind us that life is best lived beginning at Jesus’ feet.
Jesus’ example:
At many points with people clamoring to life him up He slips away to pray.
Those who saw him teach and work miracles and resist evil and show incredible courage in the face of power ASKED HIM TEACH US TO PRAY.
Prayer: Talking and Listening to God. Then acting on those conversations. This is way we see over and over through the whole story.
This happens in community, but we are not told to draft off others so much that we don’t have our own talking and listening to God. We are not called to a merely second hand faith. We must take up this invitation of friendship.
On the fateful night before he was betrayed. He had to get them to see some things that would be essential in their lives and His Kingdom….
“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 5 v 1-5
Remain. Abide. Make a life in Christ’s love. Talk and listen.
Jesus is the fulfillment of all the promise and he makes it as clear as can be.
Intimacy leads to Fruitfulness
Friendship invites Participation
How would you describe your talking and listening relationship with God?
The Relationship is the Reward
What the poet King of Israel knew centuries ago. A man who had a Kingdom…
He said THE LORD IS MY PORTION.
YOU FILL ME WITH JOY IN YOUR PRESENCE
What ways can I take steps forward in talking and listening to Jesus?
Ways to join:
Talk and listen to God every day
Wednesday Nights at the Office - 7:30pm
Pre-Service Prayer
Sunday Ministry Time
Dedicated Prayer Times in Every Small Group
Groups taking retreats to pray together
Resources and Teaching to Grow your personal prayer life - SECONDS COURSE
A Week of Unbroken Prayer May 13 - May 19 before Pentecost
