Life in the Vine

We have heard Jesus describe himself as the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Door, the Good Shepherd, the Resurrection and the Life, and the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Now, shortly before his death, Jesus uses another picture to describe what it means not merely to believe something about him, but to live in relationship with him.

1. Connect

Relationships can profoundly shape the kind of people we become.

Who or what has had the greatest influence on the person you are becoming?

2. Read

Read together.

As you read, notice the picture Jesus uses and the words or ideas he repeats.

(NET2)

¹ “I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. ² He takes away every branch that does not bear fruit in me. He prunes every branch that bears fruit so that it will bear more fruit. ³ You are clean already because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.

⁵ “I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me—and I in him—bears much fruit because apart from me you can accomplish nothing. ⁶ If anyone does not remain in me, he is thrown out like a branch and dries up; and such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire and are burned up. ⁷ If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you want, and it will be done for you. ⁸ My Father is honored by this, that you bear much fruit and show that you are my disciples.

⁹ “Just as the Father has loved me, I have also loved you; remain in my love. ¹⁰ If you obey my commandments, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. ¹¹ I have told you these things so that my joy may be in you, and your joy may be complete. ¹² My commandment is this—to love one another just as I have loved you. ¹³ No one has greater love than this—that one lays down his life for his friends. ¹⁴ You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵ I no longer call you slaves because the slave does not understand what his master is doing. But I have called you friends because I have revealed to you everything I heard from my Father. ¹⁶ You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that remains, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. ¹⁷ This I command you—to love one another.

What caught your attention?

3. Explore

Look back at the passage as you discuss these questions.

In verses 1–5, who are the vine, the gardener, and the branches?
Jesus repeatedly tells his disciples to “remain” in him. What do you think he means?
According to verses 4–5, what can the branches accomplish apart from the vine? What happens when they remain in it?
What kinds of “fruit” do you see described in verses 7–17?
According to verses 9–13, how are Jesus' love, obedience, joy, and love for others connected?

4. Consider

Jesus says:

“I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me—and I in him—bears much fruit, because apart from me you can accomplish nothing.”

What does this picture suggest about the kind of relationship Jesus offers?
How is remaining in Jesus different from simply believing certain facts about him?
What do you find attractive, surprising, difficult, or hard to believe about depending upon Jesus in this way?
What kind of person does Jesus say someone connected to him will increasingly become?

5. Respond

Jesus isn't simply inviting people to adopt his teachings. He invites them into an ongoing relationship with him—a life shaped by his words, his love, his joy, and his purposes.

If Jesus really is the True Vine, what might it look like for you to begin depending upon him for life rather than trying to build life apart from him?

As we approach our final conversation, consider our central question:

Who is this Jesus who claims that true and fruitful life is found by remaining in him?

Explore More

If you would like to keep reading, continue with . Jesus prepares his disciples for life after his departure and promises that they will not be left alone.

Next Conversation: Who Are You Looking For? — The Crucified and Risen Jesus.