JULY 28, 2024

SERIES 2: JOHN – I AM SAYINGS

LESSON 2.4
I AM THE TRUE VINE

FOCUS VERSES
John 15:1, 12
1
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.
.....
12
This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

LESSON TEXT
John 15:1–17

TRUTH ABOUT GOD

Jesus is the true vine who empowers us to bear fruit by making disciples and loving others.

TRUTH FOR MY LIFE

I will make sure I stay connected to the true vine.

Thinking about Last Week:

Have students refer to their Daily Devotional Guide to answer the following questions:
1. What most affected you as you read through the Lesson Text and the Biblical Insights?
2. How did it shape your prayers and thoughts throughout the week?
3. Do you feel you grew closer to the Lord this past week? Why or why not?

TEACHING OUTLINE
Icebreaker: Have you ever grown fruits or vegetables? Did the process teach you anything about life in Christ?
Lesson Connection: Share the Lesson Connection. (I)
I. THE ECOSYSTEM OF GOD’S KINGDOM
A. The Father Is the Vinedresser
B. Jesus Is the True Vine
» What does it mean to you that Jesus is your source of life?
C. We Are the Branches
» How do you intentionally stay connected to Jesus on a daily basis?
D. We Must Bear Fruit
» How are you intentional about Jesus not just flowing into you but flowing through you to touch others?
II. LOVE—THE FRUIT WE BEAR
A. A Nonnegotiable Commandment (V)
» Are there any people or groups to whom you have found it harder to show God’s love? How do you allow God to help
 you love those who are hard to love?
B. I Will Be Connected to the True Vine and Bear the Fruit of Loving Others
» What are some ways you can show God’s love to others this week? Name some practical ways, no matter how small,
you can show God’s love this week.
Internalizing the Message

Prayer Focus
Lead the group in prayer and consider the following topics of focus:
• For us to intentionally stay connected to the true vine on a daily basis
• For us to bear the fruit of love in our families, workplaces, and communities

LESSON CONNECTION
A supplemental image is available in the Resource Kit. (I)

Growing strawberries is harder than one might think; just ask Bonnie about her experience. She had a quarter-acre plot in her backyard
in Pennsylvania, where she had grown a variety of vegetables for years. Lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and carrots were some
of her successful plants every summer. Although the work was hard, Bonnie found few things more rewarding than enjoying fresh
vegetables throughout the summer and canned vegetables throughout the winter.

One year her husband and teenage children entered a phase that Bonnie now calls the “strawberry pie phase.” She made strawberry pie
once, and it quickly became a family favorite. Bonnie decided that growing strawberries would be easier than buying them, so she
planted a row of strawberry plants near the edge of the plant bed in their large backyard. She had read online that strawberries were
fairly low maintenance. Furthermore, she was an experienced gardener. How difficult could they be?

The first couple years, Bonnie and her family enjoyed fresh, ripe strawberries all summer long. The third year, however, the fruit
began to change. Much of the red fruit was smaller and not sweet at all—completely useless for baking. The fourth year, even more of
the smaller, unsweet strawberries popped up. Puzzled, Bonnie called Janelle, a friend from church who shared her passion for
gardening. Janelle came over that weekend in her gardening clothes and knelt down to inspect the suspicious-looking, unsweet berries.
She immediately knew what was wrong. “These aren’t strawberry plants,” she laughed, much to Bonnie’s surprise.

Janelle explained, “These are barren strawberries. They’re a common ground cover that grows wild around here. They have gotten
into the garden and are growing among your regular strawberry plants. They look almost identical, but they are definitely not the same
plant. The leaves of the barren strawberries are a little smaller with a bumpy texture. We need to go down the entire line and root up
the barren strawberries. They might look like the real thing, but they won’t bear any fruit.”

With Janelle at her side, Bonnie started digging up the fruitless plants. Bonnie was amazed at how easily she had been tricked by the
fake strawberry plants. She was also amazed it had not occurred to her that, because they lacked proper fruit, the barren strawberries
might not have been the same plant at all.

As the two friends worked, they discussed a Bible verse their pastor had mentioned recently at church. Jesus said in Matthew 7:20,
“Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” No matter how the plant looked on the outside, the experienced gardener could
identify the plant just by its fruit. Similarly, no matter how people present themselves, a spiritually discerning individual will be able
to recognize what type of people they are by what type of fruit they produce. As Jesus explained, “Even so every good tree bringeth
forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit” (Matthew 7:17).
BIBLE LESSON
I. THE ECOSYSTEM OF GOD’S KINGDOM

In the seventh and final “I Am” saying in the Gospel of John, Jesus used an agricultural example that would have been easily
understood by his largely agrarian audience, many of whom worked with their hands in the fields of the ancient Near East. Jesus
identified Himself as the vine, a source of life and growth in the physical world and a symbol of the same in the spiritual realm.

Almost sixty verses mentioning vines and vineyards can be found from Isaiah to Malachi, but Jesus laid out the analogy in a new and
unique manner in John 15. Jesus laid out a spiritual ecosystem, including a vinedresser, a vine, branches, and fruit. Jesus weaved all
these elements together to form a unique structure demonstrating a beautiful and compelling picture of the kingdom of God.

A. The Father Is the Vinedresser

The word KJV renders “husbandman” in John 15:1, other translations record as “vinedresser” (ESV, NASB, NKJV), “gardener”
(NET, NIV, NLT), or “vineyard keeper” (HCSB). As the cultivator of the garden, the Father is responsible for ensuring a productive
plant. For this reason, our heavenly Father not only has the responsibility of watering and fertilizing, but also stripping away that
which is unproductive.

Jesus began this passage with a telltale phrase—I Am—that almost resulted in His audience stoning Him in John 8:58–59. His hearers
understood this phrase to equate Jesus as the physical, complete manifestation of the Jehovah of the Old Testament, which is why they
attempted to kill Jesus for perceived blasphemy. As Jesus used this phrase several times in John to self-identify, a first-century
perspective on this passage would not have assumed a Godhead with multiple persons, but Jesus as the perfect “image of the invisible
God” (Colossians 1:15).

B. Jesus Is the True Vine

Throughout this analogy, the vine (Jesus) remains the central focus. The imagery of the vine evokes the concept of life and growth.
The vine is the source for both. This metaphor should be seen as parallel to John’s ongoing commentary on Jesus being life. John’s
prologue said of Jesus, “In him was life; and the life was the light of men” (John 1:4). Jesus described Himself as the “bread of life”
(John 6:35, 48) and proclaimed His words as being spirit and life (John 6:63). In two of His most self-revealing sayings, Jesus
announced, “I am the resurrection, and the life” (John 11:25) and “I am the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

In the context of John 15:1, “I am the true vine,” the adjective true should be understood as perfect or ideal, just like when Jesus was
described as the “true Light” in John 1:9. In this sense, no other vine is a comparable substitute. If the branches are not connected to
the true vine, they are connected to an inferior or inadequate source of life. In fact, since Jesus is the only source of eternal life, being
connected to any other life source is the equivalent of being connected to a source of death.

Being connected to the true vine also means being connected to the sustenance necessary to combat the evil and wickedness found in
the “weeds” of this world. Jesus told His listeners, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it
shall be done unto you” (John 15:7). This promise reminds the listeners of Jesus’ promise in the previous chapter, “If ye shall ask any
thing in my name, I will do it” (John 14:14). While any person might desire this power and attempt to use Jesus’ name for selfish
gains, John 15 makes it clear that accessing His power is contingent on being connected to the vine. This connection will shape our
desires as we grow more connected to Him and conformed to His image. A proper understanding of Christ’s words in John 15:5,
“Without me ye can do nothing,” should only result in humility and a desire to be connected to Christ, regardless of the cost or
context.

What does it mean to you that Jesus is your source of life?

C. We Are the Branches

As branches, we are extensions of who Christ is. When paring back an overgrown tree or bush, one might not be able to readily see the
stalk, trunk, or roots of the plant because the branches are so thick and expansive. However, we know there is a trunk or root because
we can see life in the branches. Similarly, as branches connected to the true vine, we are extensions of Christ that the world can
readily see. Even if the world cannot see Christ immediately, they can see us—the branches—and can identify the life flowing into us
from the true vine.

Being connected to the vine comes with the privilege of each abiding in the other. Christ spoke of us, the branches, abiding in Him
and, conversely, Him abiding in us (John 15:4–5). The word abide, as it is translated in most English versions, can also be rendered
“remain” (NET, NIV) or less commonly as “dwell” (Wycliffe). The concept of this word is ongoing, lifelong connection. Just as a
plant does not grow unless it remains connected to its source of life, so we as spiritual offshoots of Christ will not grow and be fruitful
unless we remain connected. As Christ put it, “If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather
them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned” (John 15:6).

How do you intentionally stay connected to Jesus on a daily basis?

D. We Must Bear Fruit

Being branches of the true vine comes with an all-important responsibility: bearing fruit. Jesus indicated it is possible to be connected
to the vine but still be cut away for lack of bearing fruit. Jesus said, “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away” (John
15:2). It is sobering for all Christians to understand it is possible to be connected to the vine and still not be in God’s will because we
are not bearing fruit. Such a reality comes from having all inflow and no outflow. To use another analogy, being connected to the vine
without bearing fruit is like being the Dead Sea; because that body of water only takes in and doesn’t give out, it cannot support life.
As one preacher said, “In God’s kingdom the Holy Spirit either flows through you or around you; there is no room for dead-ends, cul-
de-sacs, or billabongs that only receive and never contribute.”

How are you intentional about Jesus not just flowing into you but flowing through you to bless others?

Bearing fruit is the primary way we bring glory to God (John 15:8). We bring glory to God by properly reflecting His image and doing
His will, which is through loving others and making disciples. Jesus makes it clear in this passage: the primary fruit we bear is love.

II. LOVE—THE FRUIT WE BEAR

Love is one of the primary and central commandments of Scripture. Jesus said the two greatest commandments in the Law were to
love God and love our neighbors (Matthew 22:34–40). Paul spoke of love as being our primary motivator, even more so than spiritual
gifts. Paul said that if he spoke with tongues but had not love, he was nothing more than “sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal” (I
Corinthians 13:1). Paul went so far as to say if he had the spiritual gift of prophecy, had discernment to understand spiritual mysteries,
had faith to remove mountains, gave generously to the poor, was martyred in fire, but did not have love, he had nothing (I Corinthians
13:2–3).

Elsewhere, Paul identified love as a “fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22). Since fruit only comes from being connected to the life
source, those who gaze upon our Christian walk will be able to know how well-connected we are to Christ by how much of His love
we reflect toward others. Love is one of the primary identifiers of the Christian walk. In the words of Christ, “By this shall all men
know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another” (John 13:35).

A. A Nonnegotiable Commandment
Jesus was clear in this passage that loving others was a nonnegotiable commandment. The reason is connected to our relationship.
Jesus exhorted, “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12). An examination of our lives
will reveal that we have received more love from Christ than we ever could earn or deserve. How could we possibly withhold Christ’s
love from others when we ourselves are undeserving? Furthermore, we cannot say we accurately have kept God’s commandments
unless we have love for others (John 15:10).

Are there any people or groups to whom you have found it harder to show God’s love? How do you allow God to help you
love those who are hard to love?

As the true vine, Jesus Himself is the ultimate depiction of selfless love. In what is possibly the most widely known verse of this
chapter, Jesus taught, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). This statement
prophetically foreshadowed Jesus’ sacrifice of His own life on the cross of Calvary. Christ sacrificed Himself just to provide the
possibility of our salvation, knowing full well that many people would not accept His sacrifice and still choose to die in their sin.
Christ’s love was pure and provided the perfect example for us to follow. While we cannot achieve the salvation of others through
martyrdom, we can endeavor to love others through a sacrifice of our time, conveniences, and comforts in order to make disciples and
see others come into full knowledge of Jesus Christ. This commandment is truly nonnegotiable.

Teacher Option: A supplemental video is available in the Resource Kit. (V)

B. I Will Be Connected to the True Vine and Bear the Fruit of Loving Others

Many of us here have already become connected to the true vine and experienced His life-giving love. For anyone here who is not
connected to the vine, the invitation is always open; you can become connected to the vine today through repentance, baptism in
Jesus’ name, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). For those here who are already connected to the vine, our responsibility is
clear: we must now bear the fruit of loving others. Even when we know this love will not be well received by the world, we are not
exempt from making the effort and loving unconditionally. Jesus knew many would reject His love, yet He died for them anyway. In
like manner, we also must follow Christ’s example and love the world in all circumstances, regardless of their response.

What are some ways you can show God’s love to others this week? Name some practical ways, no matter how small, you can
show God’s love this week.

INTERNALIZING THE MESSAGE

The barren strawberries mentioned in the opening lesson are found across Europe, northern Asia, and northeastern North America.
They are known for closely resembling strawberry plants, right down to their foliage and small yellow flowers that bloom mid-spring.
They will produce some fruit later in the season, but the fruit is fewer, smaller, and unsweet—completely inedible
([Link]). Barren strawberries and regular strawberries are almost indistinguishable until they begin to bear
fruit. The fruit is always the telltale indicator, no matter how impressive the rest of the plant looks.

A Bible school professor was instructing his class on the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5 and connected this passage with Jesus’ words
mentioned in the opening story, “By their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20). The professor was asked why the fruit of the
Spirit was the primary indicator of the Christian walk and not something else more expressive, such as spiritual gifts. The professor
did not think long before he responded, “Because the devil has learned how to imitate the gifts; however, he has never learned how to
imitate the fruit.”

Satan is depicted throughout Scripture as master of disguise who relies on trickery to capture God’s children. He offers what appears
to be pleasing and satisfying, but the fruit of such endeavors is always death and heartache. He will even stoop so low as to imitate the
gifts of the Spirit by providing false prophecies and words of worldly wisdom. However, Satan cannot match the fruit of living for
God, which Paul said included “love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance” (Galatians 5:22–
23). Notably, the first item on Paul’s list is love. Paul understood love as a prioritized focus of the Christian walk. Elsewhere, he
recorded, “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (I Corinthians 13:13, NKJV).

How can we tell if we are connected to the true vine? We may be tempted to look toward our spiritual gifts, our physical talents, or
even our monetary blessings. However, the best way we can determine our connectedness is to look for the fruit. What are we
producing? Are we producing Christlike love above all else? If not, we may be like the barren strawberries—an outwardly convincing,
yet ultimately fruitless imitation.

Let our concluding prayers be that we can learn how to demonstrate God’s love in our communities: in our families, our schools, and
our workplaces. A good place to start demonstrating this love is right here in our church. Many in this place might be struggling with
situations beyond our comprehension. Let us be the branches of Christ to extend His love to them. Let us start by making our church a
sanctuary of love, a place where people can feel the love of Christ through us and ultimately become better connected to the true vine.

Prayer Focus
Lead the group in prayer and consider the following topics of focus:
• For us to intentionally stay connected to the true vine on a daily basis
• For us to bear the fruit of love in our families, workplaces, and communities