Sunday School | January, 2020
Abiding Love
Bible Background · John 15:4-17
Printed Text · John 15:4-17 | Devotional Reading · Psalm 80:7-19
Printed Text · John 15:4-17 | Devotional Reading · Psalm 80:7-19
Aim for ChangeBy the end of this lesson, we will COMPREHEND how the metaphor of the vine and the branches applies to Jesus and those who follow Him; YEARN for a more intimate, life-giving relationship with Jesus; and COMMIT to keeping Christ’s commandments and abiding in his love.
In FocusJordan met Mr. Mason at Shady Acres Retirement Home. He thought about Pastor Thomas’ words to them on Sunday about service and sacrificial love. And yet, he wondered if he had made the right choice when he had agreed to lead worship at Shady Acres. Mr. Mason vigorously shook Jordan’s hand. “I am so happy that you are here. Come this way, we have been waiting for you! My mother has been asking for a church service for so long.” “Well, Mr. Mason, I’ve never done anything like this before. But when I heard Pastor Thomas talk about the needs here, I decided to try to help.” Mr. Mason led Jordan to the recreation room. Seated inside were ten elderly residents, waiting for them. With a calming breath, Jordan moved to the room’s piano and pulled out his music, some sermon notes, and his Bible. “Hi, my name is Jordan. I’m here to worship the Lord with you. I thought that we could begin with a word of prayer.” As he prayed, he felt his uneasiness melt away. Forty-five minutes later, Jordan, Mr. Mason, and the residents were singing and clapping. As he led them in a closing hymn, Jordan knew he made the right choice.
How has Christ blessed you to see the fruit of your labor when you trusted His love and followed Him? Keep in Mind“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15, KJV).
|
Focal VersesKJV John 15:4-17
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. 11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. 13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another. The People, Places, and TimesCommandment. This term is used in the English Bible to translate a number of Hebrew and Greek words including law, ordinance, statute, word, judgment, precept, saying, and charge. The idea of authority conveyed by these words comes from the fact that God as the sovereign Lord has a right to be obeyed. The instruction of Jesus is full of ethical teachings that have the force of divine commandments. That is true even when He does not use the word “commandment” or its equivalents as He often does. The Bible is clear that God is not satisfied with mere external compliance with His commandments but expects willing and joyful obedience.
Vine. The grapevine was common to western Asia south of the Caspian Sea. Grape vineyards flourished in Palestine, especially in the central highlands near Hebron, Shiloh, and Shechem. The vine is often used in the Bible literally and figuratively. The vine is a symbol of prosperity and a sedentary life (1 Kings 4:25), which was the ideal for the once-nomadic nation of Israel. The vine is also a picture of God’s people (John 15:2; Psalm 80:8; Isaiah 5:2). Since every vine will produce sterile branches, the gardener must trim away unproductive and old branches, lest the vitality of the vine is diverted from its function of bearing fruit. |
Background
In John chapters 13 through 17, Jesus privately teaches His disciples. This is their last time together before His crucifixion. Jesus spends His last hours in His final preparation of them, explaining how to know and practice intimate fellowship with God. He taught first by example; He humbled Himself and washed their dirty feet (John 13:4-10). He told them about His departure, their future in heaven, the coming of the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, and how to experience real peace. Jesus gives the secrets of successful Christian living. He tells how we can have peace, joy, and answered prayer by abiding in Him. As we begin today’s study, Jesus teaches His disciples about the relationship they must have with the Father, with Him, and with one another. Unless they abide in the Father and in Him, the disciples would not be able to bear fruit or love one another, which would show the world they belong to Him. As Jesus and the disciples get up from the table to walk to the Garden of Gethsemane, He continues to speak words of encouragement. He instructs His disciples about the needed connection between Him and the Father, and Jesus and His followers. As we abide in Jesus, we can “bear fruit” (John 15:8) and love others as He commands us.
At-A-Glance
1. The Father’s Provision (John 15:4-8)
2. Abiding in Love (vv. 9–11)
3. Abiding as Jesus’ Friends (vv. 12-17)
2. Abiding in Love (vv. 9–11)
3. Abiding as Jesus’ Friends (vv. 12-17)
In Depth
1. The Father’s Provision (John 15:4-8)
The picture of the vine and the branches was a beautiful and natural illustration of how Jesus’ disciples would be able to do His work. It is only by remaining in close, vital contact with the vine that the branch can bring forth any fruit at all. Such a vital connection with Jesus is necessary for disciples to bring forth deeds of obedience for God’s glory. To abide in Christ (v. 4), recognizing Christ as our true source of spiritual life, is how we allow the love of Jesus to flow into our lives. Our fellowship with Christ through the Word of God, daily prayer, and obedient worship and service will result in close, fruitful living with Him. Every fruit-bearing branch gets pruned so that more fruit will be produced (15:2). God expects us to bear fruit in obedience to Him. The metaphor works not only to show what happens to a good vine, but also what happens to an unfruitful vine. Those who refuse to abide in Christ are branches that have withered and been set aside. Apart from Christ, we are helpless to do God’s work or to please Him. If we act in our own power, our actions cannot bear fruit for God. We cannot glory in our own actions or become proud of our own achievements, because all we have and are depends on Him.
When have you experienced the importance of being attached to Christ?
2. Abiding in Love (vv. 9–11)
We learn that the basis for “abiding” with Jesus is the love that God and Jesus share with each other. Jesus, then, likens His love for the disciples to the type of love His Father has for Him. It is this relationship of love that we must remain faithful to. In verse 10, Jesus comes to the essence of His message to the disciples: The only way the disciples (or any believer) will continue to abide in God’s love is if they, like Him, practice obedience and keep His Father’s commandments. Obedience is essential to an abiding relationship with Jesus, whose relationship with the Father was also one of obedience (Hebrews 5:8). Our obedience makes us one with God the Father and we, therefore, share in the fellowship that Jesus shares with the Father. By heeding Jesus’ words, we also receive His joy.
What would need to happen in our lives so we can abide in the Father’s love?
3. Abiding as Jesus’ Friends (vv. 12-17)
Jesus called the disciples His friends because He shared the divine plans with them. So it is with us. God wants us to know His divine plan for our lives so that we may walk victoriously in Him. In abiding in Christ, we have the privilege of asking God’s favor and grace upon our lives (v. 18) and experiencing the fullness of His love so that we may glorify the Father. Jesus reminded His disciples that His commandment was: “that you love one another as I have loved you” (v. 12). If we are to be His disciples and abide in His love, we must love one another. True friendship with Jesus is not based on keeping a set of rules, going to church every day, or even serving on boards and committees. Jesus says the test of real friendship is that we “do” whatsoever He has commanded us, which is to love one another as He has loved us.
How deeply do you yearn to be known as a friend of Jesus? How do you portray this level of love and friendship in your life?
The picture of the vine and the branches was a beautiful and natural illustration of how Jesus’ disciples would be able to do His work. It is only by remaining in close, vital contact with the vine that the branch can bring forth any fruit at all. Such a vital connection with Jesus is necessary for disciples to bring forth deeds of obedience for God’s glory. To abide in Christ (v. 4), recognizing Christ as our true source of spiritual life, is how we allow the love of Jesus to flow into our lives. Our fellowship with Christ through the Word of God, daily prayer, and obedient worship and service will result in close, fruitful living with Him. Every fruit-bearing branch gets pruned so that more fruit will be produced (15:2). God expects us to bear fruit in obedience to Him. The metaphor works not only to show what happens to a good vine, but also what happens to an unfruitful vine. Those who refuse to abide in Christ are branches that have withered and been set aside. Apart from Christ, we are helpless to do God’s work or to please Him. If we act in our own power, our actions cannot bear fruit for God. We cannot glory in our own actions or become proud of our own achievements, because all we have and are depends on Him.
When have you experienced the importance of being attached to Christ?
2. Abiding in Love (vv. 9–11)
We learn that the basis for “abiding” with Jesus is the love that God and Jesus share with each other. Jesus, then, likens His love for the disciples to the type of love His Father has for Him. It is this relationship of love that we must remain faithful to. In verse 10, Jesus comes to the essence of His message to the disciples: The only way the disciples (or any believer) will continue to abide in God’s love is if they, like Him, practice obedience and keep His Father’s commandments. Obedience is essential to an abiding relationship with Jesus, whose relationship with the Father was also one of obedience (Hebrews 5:8). Our obedience makes us one with God the Father and we, therefore, share in the fellowship that Jesus shares with the Father. By heeding Jesus’ words, we also receive His joy.
What would need to happen in our lives so we can abide in the Father’s love?
3. Abiding as Jesus’ Friends (vv. 12-17)
Jesus called the disciples His friends because He shared the divine plans with them. So it is with us. God wants us to know His divine plan for our lives so that we may walk victoriously in Him. In abiding in Christ, we have the privilege of asking God’s favor and grace upon our lives (v. 18) and experiencing the fullness of His love so that we may glorify the Father. Jesus reminded His disciples that His commandment was: “that you love one another as I have loved you” (v. 12). If we are to be His disciples and abide in His love, we must love one another. True friendship with Jesus is not based on keeping a set of rules, going to church every day, or even serving on boards and committees. Jesus says the test of real friendship is that we “do” whatsoever He has commanded us, which is to love one another as He has loved us.
How deeply do you yearn to be known as a friend of Jesus? How do you portray this level of love and friendship in your life?
Search the Scriptures
1. What does it mean to remain in Christ and why is this important (John 15:5-7)?
2. What proves our love to Jesus (v. 10)?
3. Jesus gives the disciples a direct command in verse 12. Explain how Christ loved people during His time on Earth. What are some ways in which we can love as Christ loved?
2. What proves our love to Jesus (v. 10)?
3. Jesus gives the disciples a direct command in verse 12. Explain how Christ loved people during His time on Earth. What are some ways in which we can love as Christ loved?
Discuss the Meaning
1. How can a Christian tell they are really producing fruit? Should all Christians produce the same amount and in the same way?
2. If all our prayers aren’t answered, does that mean we are not abiding in Christ or in the will of God? How does a Christian understand unanswered prayers in the light of verses 7 and 16?
2. If all our prayers aren’t answered, does that mean we are not abiding in Christ or in the will of God? How does a Christian understand unanswered prayers in the light of verses 7 and 16?
Source | Precepts for Living
Daily Bible ReadingsMONDAY
God Is Disappointed with Israel (Isaiah 5:1-7) TUESDAY God Will Redeem Israel (Isaiah 27:2-6) WEDNESDAY Believers Continue God’s Work (John 14:8-14) THURSDAY Jesus Freely Lays Down His Life (John 10:11-18) FRIDAY Facing the World as Jesus Did (John 15:18-25) SATURDAY Jesus Tends to His Vineyard (John 15:1-3) SUNDAY Always Love One Another (John 15:4-17) |
Worksheet |