Growth Groups week seven:
A Disciple Bears Much Fruit
Week 7
Day 1: 1st Peter 1-2
Day 2: 1st Peter 3-4
Day 3: 1st Peter 5-2nd Peter 1
Day 4: 2nd Peter 2-2nd Peter 3
Day 5: Luke 1-2
Memory Verse:
John 15:8
“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples.”
Focal Passage: John 15:1-8, Galatians 5:22-23
The natural product of abiding is producing. When a grape vine is attached to the branch it will bear fruit as it draws its life and nutrients from the source. We too will bear fruit if we are abiding in the vine. God’s name and kingdom are verified by the fact that His followers conduct themselves according to His word. And we as His followers must understand that bearing fruit is a work of God in us as we stay close to Him. Naturally we will bear fruit when we abide in Him by obeying Him. We don’t need to strive. But a great sign of whether or not we are abiding is whether or not we are bearing good fruit. Galatians provides us with a list of characteristics that we should have if we are abiding in the vine. And when those things are not present, we know that there is a problem with our connection to the source. God is glorified when we bear fruit and express who He is to this world. And if you are not bearing fruit, or if He wants you to bear more fruit, then the vinedresser Himself will prune us in order for fruit to come. And pruning can be painful. Trials come into our lives to refine us, to cause us to go deeper, and to make us more dependent on Him. So do not be surprised or disheartened by seasons of hardship. We need this pruning for our own spiritual growth as well as bringing us to the place where God is truly glorified in our lives. And this brings up the idea that, not only does abiding in Him bring fruit for His glory, but also for our satisfaction. WE AERE MOST SATISFIED WHEN GOD IS MOST GLORIFIED! So when we think of bearing fruit, it’s not just so people can see Jesus in us, but it’s also for our own good. When we bear fruit, we are experiencing the joy and peace of abiding. God knows that we will experience life as He promises when we abide, because that’s when we bear the fruit of the Spirit.
Questions:
Day 1: 1st Peter 1-2
Day 2: 1st Peter 3-4
Day 3: 1st Peter 5-2nd Peter 1
Day 4: 2nd Peter 2-2nd Peter 3
Day 5: Luke 1-2
Memory Verse:
John 15:8
“By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be my disciples.”
Focal Passage: John 15:1-8, Galatians 5:22-23
The natural product of abiding is producing. When a grape vine is attached to the branch it will bear fruit as it draws its life and nutrients from the source. We too will bear fruit if we are abiding in the vine. God’s name and kingdom are verified by the fact that His followers conduct themselves according to His word. And we as His followers must understand that bearing fruit is a work of God in us as we stay close to Him. Naturally we will bear fruit when we abide in Him by obeying Him. We don’t need to strive. But a great sign of whether or not we are abiding is whether or not we are bearing good fruit. Galatians provides us with a list of characteristics that we should have if we are abiding in the vine. And when those things are not present, we know that there is a problem with our connection to the source. God is glorified when we bear fruit and express who He is to this world. And if you are not bearing fruit, or if He wants you to bear more fruit, then the vinedresser Himself will prune us in order for fruit to come. And pruning can be painful. Trials come into our lives to refine us, to cause us to go deeper, and to make us more dependent on Him. So do not be surprised or disheartened by seasons of hardship. We need this pruning for our own spiritual growth as well as bringing us to the place where God is truly glorified in our lives. And this brings up the idea that, not only does abiding in Him bring fruit for His glory, but also for our satisfaction. WE AERE MOST SATISFIED WHEN GOD IS MOST GLORIFIED! So when we think of bearing fruit, it’s not just so people can see Jesus in us, but it’s also for our own good. When we bear fruit, we are experiencing the joy and peace of abiding. God knows that we will experience life as He promises when we abide, because that’s when we bear the fruit of the Spirit.
Questions:
- According to John 15:1-8, how is God glorified? Why do you think that is?
- Bringing glory to God is the reason we exist. And we do that by bearing much fruit. Talk through the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and examine where you could personally grow in each area.
- What keeps us from bearing fruit in our lives? What are ways we can make sure that these characteristics are flowing from our lives?
- James 1:2 and 1 Peter 1:6-9 speak of trials refining us. In these verses we see expressed the ideas that pruning (trials) brings about growth and change. Talk about ways God has refined you through various trials.
- Discuss how God being glorified in our livers through bearing fruit satisfies us.
- Pray for each other to be fruit bearers.