Read: John 15:9-11, Galatians 5:22-25
How does the fruit of the Spirit in Gal. 5:22 & 23 relate to abiding in Jesus and spiritual fruit in John 15:9-10?
Given “peace” and “joy” are gifts from God, what does this imply about the other fruits of the spirit? (i.e., obedience)
What does this teach about spiritual growth? What fruit of the Spirit do you need to work on? How will you do it?
Read: John 15:9-10, Matthew 7:24-27, James 1:22-25
How did Jesus relate “keeping my commandments” to abiding in His love? Why was this clarification needed?
Explain the difference between knowing God’s word and growing in God’s word. How does this relate to abiding?
How can simply knowing God’s word become a trap? How will you avoid this trap? Be specific.
Read: John 15:7-8, Matthew 5:16, Ephesians 4:8-15
In what way did Jesus tell the disciples they could prove to be true disciples? What is the path to get there?
How have you seen this truth misunderstood? What is the result? How might you have fallen into this trap?
What are some practical things you can put in place to step into this truth? Be specific.
Read: John 15:7-8, Matthew 6:9-15, 28-33, James 4:1-4
What promise does Jesus give His disciples if they continue learning and grow in His word?
In what way should “whatever you wish” be qualified? How does Matthew 6:10 help? Be specific.
How would you rate your prayer life? Why? How can Bible study help? Explore your prayers in light of God’s word.
Read: John 15:7-8, Hebrews 4:12, 2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Timothy 4:13
How did Jesus instruct His disciples to keep spiritually learning and growing? (i.e., abide in my words)
What does this highlight about the importance for Christians to study their bible? How often do you do this?
How have you possibly taken God’s word for granted? What specific steps will you take this week to improve?
Read: Psalm 136:1-26
Every verse in this Psalm ends with “His love endures forever.” For you personally, why is this significant? How is it comforting?
Every verse in this Psalm begins with an example of God’s enduring love. How do these make you think and feel about God?
Verses 2 and 3 say that God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords. When are you most tempted to live disobediently to God?
How has God been good to you?
Read: Psalm 136:1-26
What words, phrases, or verses are confusing or raise questions for you?
What words, phrases, or verses encourage you?
What does this passage teach you about God, yourself, or the world?
Based on this passage, how is God calling you to think or act differently?
Read: Psalm 107:23-43
How does this passage portray God’s goodness and enduring love?
Verse 28 says, “Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.” Describe a time when you were in trouble and needed God’s help.
When life is challenging, how is it possible to thank and praise God? Why does God want us to praise him, even when we are suffering?
Read: Psalm 107:1-22
Verse 2 says, “Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story.” What is the “story” or theme of verses 1-22?
Take note of the actions mentioned in this passage. Make two lists: People’s Actions (e.g. they cried out) and God’s Actions (he filled the hungry with good things). Take your time and Read: slowly!
What is your story? How has God been good to you?
Read: Psalm 107:1-43
What words, phrases, or verses are confusing or raise questions for you?
What words, phrases, or verses encourage you?
What does this passage teach you about God, yourself, or the world?
Based on this passage, how is God calling you to think or act differently?
Read: John 15:2a, 6, Matthew 3:8-10, 13:24-30
What is the same or different about the two illustrations Jesus used regarding judgment? (i.e., weeds/branches)
In what way was this a sobering truth as it relates to Judas and the disciples? How is the warning to everyone?
What does this also teach about simply being involved in Christianity or abiding in Jesus? Be specific.
Read: John 15:4-5, Matthew 13:1-9
As you read the Parable of the Sower, what is the difference between being excited about Jesus & spiritual growth?
How does timing relate? What does Jesus’ vineyard illustration also imply about timing for spiritual growth?
As you look back at your life this past year, what spiritual growth do you see? What does this teach about abiding?
Read: John 15:4-6, Matthew 3:8-10
What should essentially happen over time when healthy spiritual growth is taking place? (Hint: “much” fruit)
What is required in order for this to take place? Be specific. Why is it more than going to church or being involved?
As you look at your life over the past few months, what is God showing you about spiritual growth? Be specific.
Read: John 15:1-3, Hebrews 12:7-13
Why will pruning always be necessary when caring for a vineyard? What can happen if this isn’t done?
Explain how that relates to spiritual growth in the Christian life. What does this also imply about struggles?
In what way does this perspective help you walk through a current struggle? Be specific. How might it be a pruning?
Read: John 15:1-3, 13:10-11, Romans 8:1, James 2:17-26
As you compare and contrast a good branch to a bad branch, what is the primary difference?
In what way was Jesus also comparing Judas to the other disciples? How would this have been helpful?
How can this truth be misunderstood today by an imbalanced view of God’s grace? How does this help balance you?
Read: John 15:1a, Psalm 80:8-9, Isaiah 5:1-7, Jeremiah 2:21-22, Hosea 10:1
In what way was Jesus using a relevant illustration to teach the disciples about spiritual growth? (i.e., Israel the Vine)
What did Jesus mean by claiming to be the “true” vine? How would this have challenged the disciples?
Give an example of how other vines can creep into Christianity today. How does this help warn you?
Read: John 14:30-31, Romans 11:33-34, Hebrews 11:5
Explain the distinction between God being in charge and walking by faith. (creation vs. Creator)
What does this imply about your ability to keep things within your control? Why is this important to recognize?
How can always trying to figure things out lead to more stress, fear, and instability? How do you need to change?
Read: John 14:28-31, Luke 22:45-53
How did Jesus warn the Disciples that things were going to get worse before they got better? Be specific.
How did Jesus demonstrate this truth when getting arrested? What does this highlight about God being in charge?
In what way is this counterintuitive to how people view God today? How does this challenge or adjust you?
Read: John 14:27, Philippians 4:8-9
In what way did Jesus offer peace to the Disciples and at the same time hold them accountable for peace?
What does this highlight about your role in experiencing the peace of God today? How do triggers relate?
List two areas of your life that you need to do a better job of managing to prevent triggers & experience peace.
Read: John 14:27, Philippians 4:6-7
Given peace (shalom) refers to rest, prosperity, wholeness, etc., what was Jesus promising the Disciples? Why?
In what way is this different than the peace the world offers? Why is this distinction important to recognize?
Given all that is going on in the world today, why can Christians still experience peace? (i.e., supernatural)
Read: John 14:26, Acts 1:1-11, Ephesians 1:13-14, 2 Corinthians 5:17
Jesus described the Holy Spirit as a helper, which literally means to come alongside. How have you experienced this truth?
The Apostle Paul called the Holy Spirit a “guarantee” for Christians. How have you experienced this truth?
Often, the ministry of the Holy Spirit can seem a bit elusive. How has today’s devotion brought you more clarity?
Read: John 14:25-26, 16, 15:26, 16:7, 1 John 2:27, 2 Timothy 3:16, Hebrews 4:12
What would have been the mood of the Disciples given all that had taken place during their meal together?
How was the Holy Spirit going to help them? Be specific. Why would this have been important?
In what way has this changed today? (i.e., New Testament) What does this highlight about finding stability?
Review the passages for the week
What did you feel God was saying to you this week?
What would it look like for you to enter into a space of rest this week? What is preventing you from it?
Read: Mark 2:23-3:6
How do you see Jesus seeking to redeem the heart of Sabbath?
Why do you think Jesus chose to heal on the Sabbath?
What does Jesus mean when He says ‘The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath’?
What were the religious leaders getting wrong about the Sabbath? In what ways can we struggle similarly?
