I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 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 15:1, 5
Steps on Your Journey to Know God More Intimately
- Alethinos means true in Greek. Ampelos means vine. Picture a grapevine. How is Jesus like a vine? What does that mean?
- How are you like a branch?
- What happens to branches that are cut off from a vine or tree?
- What does this verse say will happen if we remain in the vine?
- Consider how you can remain in Jesus, the Vine.
- Why is He called the “True Vine?” Could there be a fake vine? Could it be something we depend on and look to for our strength, rather than Jesus? How can Jesus, the True Vine, impact your life today?
- When I was on the Island of Cyprus, teaching missionaries, I saw many grapevines growing everywhere. They grew incredibly quickly and had luscious grapes hanging from them. But, the grapes only grew when they were attached to the vine.
- Think about the last part of the verse, “apart from me you can do nothing.” What do you think that means? How does it affect your life?
A Prayer for You
True Vine, thank You for this picture of what my relationship to You can be. Teach me more of what it means to remain in You and let You remain in me. I want to bear fruit for You. Please remind me that I can’t produce fruit on my own, but that as I remain in You, fruit will come automatically.
Excerpted from The Surprising Joy of Exploring God’s Heart by Gaylyn Williams.