In John 15, Jesus said “I am the vine and you are the branches.” This statement is rich with imagery and implications.

What is the first thing that comes to mind with this statement from Jesus?

Throughout the Bible, God referred to His people as being His vineyard. The 1st century Jew would have understood the imagery of the vineyard.

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 15:5 (NIV)

What does Jesus mean when he says “apart from me you can do nothing?”

To help answer this question, let’s look at a parable Jesus told.

Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. 25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. 26 But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. 27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash. —Matthew 7:24-27 (NLT)

What is the difference between the two houses?
What is the point of this parable?

God wants us to live a fruitful life.

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 15:5 (NIV)

What does it mean to “remain” (or abide) in Jesus?

Abiding gives the idea of sticking with it no matter what comes… which may be part of Jesus’ point.

I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. —John 15:1-4 (NIV)

Why would God prune the branches?

This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. —John 15:8 (NIV)

What is the fruit that we bear?