Healthy Endings Lead to Healthy Fruit (John 15)

OBSERVATION Questions (What does the text say?)

Read John 1:1-8. Have several people talk about their favorite verse in this passage.

According to verse 1, who is the “true vine,” and who is the “vinedresser”?

What are the two different outcomes for branches mentioned in verse 2?

What happens to branches that do not abide in the vine (v. 6)?

What promises are made to those who abide (vv. 5, 7)?

What is the stated purpose of bearing much fruit (v. 8)?

INTERPRETATION Questions (What does it mean?)

What does it mean to “abide” in Christ? How is this different from just believing in Him?

Why would God prune even fruitful branches? What does that tell us about His character and goals?

What kind of “fruit” is Jesus talking about here—what are some examples of fruit we might bear in our lives?

Why is being disconnected from the vine so serious in this passage?

APPLICATION Questions (How does this apply to my life?)

When have you experienced a season of pruning that later led to growth or fruitfulness?

What’s an area in your life right now where you might be resisting God’s pruning?

What helps you stay connected (abiding) in Christ during painful or unclear seasons?

What is some “fruit” you would like to see God grow in your life right now?

What’s one practical step you can take this week to abide more deeply in Christ?

Does suffering lead to joy? (John 2)

What are you looking forward to in the coming week?

Read John 2:1-11. Have a few people talk about their favorite verse in this story.

This event happened on "the third day".  What else happened on a third day? How might this event be a symbol of Jesus future resurrection?

In ancient cultures, wine often represented joy. As a group, create a list of ten reasons you have joy today.

Read Romans 15:13. How does our faith in God provide us with hope, peace and joy?

What events in life can cause our joy to run out? How have you experienced suffering which threatened to steal your joy.

Re-read John 2:3-10. As you read, substitute the word "joy" for "wine" and substitute the word "suffering" for "water". How does this help you think about the connection between suffering and joy?

If this story is also a symbol of the future, how does the resurrection create the "best joy"?

Because we currently live in a broken world, our joy is sometimes tainted with sorrow. When we experience resurrection, though, our joy will be made complete.

Read Revelation 21:1-7. When the final resurrection is complete, what are you most looking forward to?

How does your confidence in the future enable you to have joy in present?

What will you do this week to encourage one another and to fill one another with joy?

What is your life's direction? (John 1)

What would be your ideal vacation destination? Why?

How would you describe your life’s destination?

How do you know whether or not your life is headed in the right direction?

Read John 1:43-51. How do you think Philip felt when Jesus said, “follow me.”

If Jesus said, “Follow me” to you, how would you respond?

What was Philip’s first action as a follower of Jesus? Is he a good or bad example for other followers of Jesus? Why?

Followers of Jesus should think like Jesus. How can you improve the way you think about other people so that your thoughts will be more like Jesus’ thoughts?

Followers of Jesus should talk like Jesus. How would you describe the way Jesus talked? How can your words (and their tone) be more like His?

Followers of Jesus should act like Jesus. Jesus’ actions were characterized by love, kindness, grace and servanthood. What can you do this week to act more like Jesus?

What direction do you think Jesus wants your life to go in?

Read John 15:4-5. Use as many different versions as possible and have a few people summarize the verses in their own words.

Following Jesus means staying close to Him. What can you do this week to stay close to Jesus?

How can this group help you stay close to Jesus?

Found People Find People (John 1)

What was the first thing that attracted you to Jesus?

Read John 1:35-39. What do you think the disciples were hoping to see when they followed Jesus? If you could see one thing from Jesus what would it be?

Why do you think the disciples stayed with Jesus for so long?

Read John 15:4. How can we remain/abide/stay with Jesus today?

Read John 1:44-46. Philip chose to use the same words as Jesus had. What do you think he wanted Nathanael to see?

Read John 1:42. What does Andrew do in this passage?

Read John 6:1-8. What does Andrew do in this passage?

Read John 12:20-22. What does Andrew (and Philip) do in this passage?

After Andrew met Jesus, the rest of his life was spent bring people to Jesus.  Why do you think this became the focus of his life?

What are some practical steps someone could take to bring a person to Jesus?

Why do you think more Christians don’t bring people to Jesus more often? What gets in the way?
Who do you know that needs to meet Jesus?

Spend time as a group praying for the people you all know who need to meet Jesus.

Spent time as a group praying that each person in the group will be filled with courage and will find a way to invite others to “come and see.”

Those Who Have Seen Jesus, Share Jesus (John 1)

What is the most exciting invitation you have ever received?

Read John 1:35-51. Based on what you see here, which of the new disciples is most like you? Why?

What is the one word you would use to describe each person (Andrew, Peter, Philip, Nathanael)?

Why do you think Jesus' first words in the book of John are a question? Why did Jesus use questions so often to teach? What question do you think He would ask you right now?

Jesus gave the disciples an opportunity to get to know Him before He asked them to follow Him. Why?

What are the questions some people need to have answered before they are willing to follow Jesus? What questions did you need answered before you were willing to follow Jesus?

Both Jesus and Nathanael invited people to "come and see". What do people around you need to see that might encourage them to follow Jesus?

What can you show people that might encourage them to follow Jesus? What can a church show people that might encourage them to follow Jesus?

In these verses, Jesus uses three statements to invite others into a relationship with Him ("What are you seeking?", "Come and see" and "Follow me."). Which of these statements would be most convincing or inspiring to people you know? Why?

How can you change your life so that you will be able to more effectively invite people to follow Jesus?

What will you do this week to be a "come and see" person?

Jesus Took Your Karma For You (John 9)

Read John 9:1-2. Why did the disciples assume this man's blindness was the result of sin?

When have you felt like God was punishing you for something you did wrong?

When have you felt like God was rewarding you for something you did right?

Read John 9:3. How were God's works going to be displayed in the life of the blind man?

Did this man deserve to be blind? Why or why not? Did he deserve to have sight? Why or why not? Before you were born, what did you do to deserve sight?  Did this man deserve to have God's work displayed through him? Why or why not?

When has God's work been displayed in your life?

Read 1 Peter 2:24. What did Jesus accomplish when he took your sins upon himself on the cross?

Think about some of the bad things you have done in your life. How has God protected you or delivered you from the consequences you should have received?

Make a list of blessings and gifts God has given you that you did not deserve.

How would you describe the debt that you owe to Jesus? How do you suppose you can repay that debt?

Knowing what Jesus did for you, how can you "pay it forward?"

Identify one person in your life that hasn't earned your good will, but to whom you will demonstrate kindness this week.

Disappointed? Jesus Knows Exactly How You Feel

Read Hebrews 4:15 and Hebrews 2:18. How do these verses make you feel about Jesus?

Rewrite each of these verses in your own words.

What types of temptations did Jesus experience? How did Jesus suffer during His life?

When do you think Jesus experienced disappointment during His life? When do you think he experienced emotional hurt?

Why was Jesus willing to go through temptation, pain and disappointment?

Read or quote John 3:16. Why did God send His Son? Repeat the following statement to yourself a few times: “God loved me so much, He sent His Son.”

How have you experienced pain, disappointment or temptation recently? How did you respond?

Read James 1:2–4. How does God use our difficult times for good? How have you experienced this in the past?

How does it help you to know that Jesus has suffered in the same ways you do?

Take a moment and silently pray. Don’t ask for anything, simply tell Jesus about your struggles. Be confident that He is listening and He understands.

If Jesus is in control of your struggles, you can focus on doing good. What are the good things He wants you to do this week?

The Last Supper (John 13)

When have you been extremely motivated to accomplish a task? What was the task? What motivated you?

What types of things usually motivate you in life? Why?

What types of things often "de-motivate" you in life? Why?

The events at the end of Jesus' life were of extreme importance, but they were certainly very difficult. In addition to a horribly painful death, Jesus knew that accomplishing His mission would require him to be betrayed by a friend, denied by a closer friend, and abandoned by all his friends. Yet, John 13 tells us that He loved them all, even to the end. John 13:1-3 provides an insight into the motivation that enabled Jesus to accomplish all he had come to do.

As a group, read John 13:1-5. How do you think the disciples felt as Jesus washed their feet? How would you have felt?

John 13:1 says that Jesus knew "his hour had come". Talk about a time when a sense of urgency has motivated you to accomplish something.

Should Christians have a sense of urgency about anything? Explain.

Read John 13:3. Jesus was certain about who He was, what the Father had given Him, and where He was going. This certainty motivated him to do all the Father had commissioned him to accomplish.

Consider what you can be certain about:
What has the Father given you?
Who are you? (who does God say you are?)
Where are you going?

Can these truths help motivate you to do all the Father has commissioned you to accomplish?

What do you need to accomplish this week? How can this group help?

Obeying Jesus' Commands (Matthew 28)

What lessons has life taught you this week? Do you feel like you've learned them well?

What are some lessons you've had to learn more than once?

What lessons would you like to teach to other people in your life? How do you think you could go about teaching that lesson?

Read Matthew 28:18-20 as a group.

Which part of these verses has been most meaningful to you over the past few weeks? Why?

Jesus said to teach new disciples everything He had commanded. As a group, list as many commands of Jesus as you can?

Which commands of Jesus are most important? (Hint: Mark 12:30-31; John 13:34-35)

Who is your neighbor?

Whom do you think Jesus had in mind when He said, "Love one another"? Why?

Give specific examples of how you can obey each of these particular commands.

When is it difficult to obey these commands of Jesus? How can difficult times teach us to more effectively obey these commands?

What situation in your life most needs to have these commands applied? How can you do that? How can this group help you?

Loving One Another (John 13)

How do you know when someone really loves you?

How do you most often show your love to others?

Read John 13:34-35.

What do you think it means to love others as Jesus loved you?

How is Jesus' love for you different than someone else's love for you? How is it different than your own love for yourself?

Before giving this command, Jesus had already demonstrated his love for his disciples by washing their feet. What do you think Jesus was thinking about as He washed Judas' feet? What would you have been thinking about as you washed Judas' feet?

What kind of attitude is required for someone to serve other people?

Since we wear shoes and socks, we don't really wash each other's feet anymore. What are some other simple ways you could serve other people?

Is there something you could do to serve someone else in this group?

In John 15:13, Jesus says the greatest love is laying down your life for your friends. Less than a day after speaking these words, He demonstrated that kind of love by giving up His life for us. If we are to love others as He loved us, how can we give up our life for other people?

As you consider Jesus' HUGE sacrifice for you, what things in  your life would you be willing to sacrifice for someone else?

Is there something you could sacrifice to help someone in this group?

Loving as Jesus loved means (among other things) being willing  to serve others and sacrifice for others. How can you serve or sacrifice this week to demonstrate love to someone else?

The Full Life (John 10)

Who is a person in your life that makes your life better? How do they do it?

Read John 10:7-18.

What do you think Jesus means when he refers to himself as "the gate"?

A gate is used to let people (sheep) into a place. What is the place into which Jesus allows us entry? Are there other ways in beside Jesus?

What do you think Jesus means when he refers to himself as the "good shepherd"?

Jesus compares himself to the thief and the hired hand. What do you think he is trying to teach by making these comparisons?

What does Jesus mean when He says, "I lay down my life for the sheep"?

Why did Jesus have to die? Why is it important that he rose again (vs.17)?

Jesus said that his sheep know him. How can you know if you are one of Jesus' sheep? How does one become one of Jesus' sheep?

In verse 10, Jesus says he wants his sheep to have life "to the full". How do you imagine the "full" life? Does this mean that Jesus' sheep never have any problems? Why or why not?

How has Jesus made your life better?

As a group, use your prayer time to give thanks to God for the things he has done to make your life better.

Second Chances. (John 8)

When have you been given a second chance? Did you use it well? What was the outcome?

As a group, read John 8:1-11.

Use the following questions to consider this story from the perspective of each of the main characters in this story:

What were the Pharisees and teachers hoping to accomplish in this passage? Why do you think this was their goal? Were they successful? Why or why not?

What did the Pharisees need? How did Jesus provide what they needed?

How are we sometimes like the Pharisees? How should we respond when we find ourselves being like them?

Was the woman in this story guilty? Did she deserve to be executed (The Jewish people were still under the law of Moses: Lev. 20:10, Deut. 22:22)?

Why do you think Jesus didn't condone or excuse her sin?

What did this woman need? How did Jesus provide what she needed?

How are we sometimes like the woman? How should we respond when we find ourselves being like her?

What was Jesus hoping to accomplish in this passage (read vs.1-2)? Was he successful in accomplishing his goal? Why or why not?

What does this story teach us about Jesus' personality? How can we be more like the Jesus we see in this story? Who are the people to whom we need to show mercy and whom we need to protect?

What problems in your life are brought to mind as you talk about this passage? What actions are you contemplating as you talk about this passage? How can this group help?

Does He Love Me? I Want to Know (John 14)

What is your favorite "love song"? Why?

When was the first time you thought you were "in love"? What happened?

How can you tell if you truly love someone? How can you tell if someone loves you?

If you have children, how do you show love toward them? How do they show love toward you?

Does God love you? How do you know?

What do you think it means to "love God"? How do we show our love to him?

Read John 14:15-21.

What did Jesus say was the simple test to show our love to God? What do you think it means to "obey Jesus' commands"? Which of his commands are easy to obey? Which are difficult?

According to these verses, what do you think is the role of the Holy Spirit? Why do you think Jesus refers to him as the Spirit of "Truth"? Why can the world not accept the Holy Spirit?

Have you ever felt the Holy Spirit encouraging you to be more obedient to Christ? How did you respond?

What are some thing people can do to become more in tune with the Holy Spirit's guidance?

In what area of your life is the Holy Spirit currently coaching you toward obedience? What is one thing you can do this week to obey Christ's commands?

How can you encourage others to be more obedient to Christ this week? How can they encourage you?

The Thief, the Shepherd, and the Gate (John 10)

Have you ever had someone steal something from you? What did they take? How did you feel about them?

Have you ever stolen something from someone else? What was it? Why did you take it? How did it get resolved?

Why is stealing wrong?

Read John 10:1-5.

Who do you think is the thief to whom Jesus was referring?
Who do you think are the sheep?
Who do you think is the shepherd?
 (hint: not every character or element in a parable has a second meaning. it is possible that some characters are simply a part of the story to help move it along. don't assume that there has to be a deeper meaning behind every element of a parable.)

Read Psalm 23 together. How does this Psalm correspond to John 10:1-5? What does it mean to you to be "led by the good shepherd" through your life?

Read John 10:6-10. Why do you think Jesus described himself as "the gate"? What does it mean to go "through him" for salvation?

How does the enemy try to destroy the sheep of God? What temptations does He use to distract us from following the shepherd?

How can we know where the shepherd is leading us? Where is the shepherd leading you today?

How can this group help you as you seek to follow the good shepherd?

The Most Popular Verse in the Bible (John 3)

What does it mean to you to place belief in another person? Who is a person you know that you really believe in? Why?

Read John 3:16.

Why do you think John 3:16 is such a popular verse?

Why do some people believe that God doesn't love the world? How can the life of a Christian be a powerful illustration of how God loves the world? What types of things could you do this week to show the world that God loves them?

Why do you think God chose to demonstrate his love to us by sending His Son to earth?

Are the words "one and only" important in this verse? Why or why not?

Would you allow your perfectly healthy child to die if you knew it would save someone else's life? What does this gift from god teach us about His love? What sacrifices should we be willing to make for the good of someone else?

What does it mean to "believe in Jesus?" Have a few (or all) of the group members talk about why they believe in Jesus.

What does someone need to believe about Jesus in order to have eternal life?
(clue verses: Romans 4:5, Ephesians 2:8-9, Hebrews 6:1)

How does belief in Jesus change your life?

Who do you know that needs to hear the truth of this verse? How can you tell you them?

Extra Study Questions about John the Baptist

Read Matthew 3:1-17. What do you think was the primary message of John? What do you think it means to “repent?” 

What kind of “fruit” does repentance produce (vs.8)?

Read Mark 1:1-11. John was sent to prepare the way for Jesus. How did he accomplish this? 

How can we prepare people's hearts to meet Jesus? How can you do that this week?

Read Luke 3:1-20. In this chapter, John interacts with many people. Which is your favorite? Why? 

What do you think John would say to you? When someone confronts you, how do you avoid responding like Herod did?

Read John 1:1-8. What was the task God sent John to do? How is our task similar and/or different from John's task? 

In what way can we testify that Jesus is the light of the world?

Read John 1:29-34. John's experience with Jesus provided gave him a powerful testimony. What has been your experience with Jesus?

What can you tell others that Jesus has done for you?

Sacrifice Yourself (John 15)

What is the greatest sacrifice someone has ever made for you?  How do you feel about that person today?

Read John 15:12.

Jesus commanded his disciples to love each other as he had loved them. How would you describe Jesus' love for his disciples?  How can that kind of love be imitated?

Read 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.  Which description of love do you like best?  Which one is most difficult for you?

What do you think it means that love "always protects, trusts, hopes, and perseveres?"  How do you love in this way when someone is unloving toward you?  Why is it difficult sometimes to assume the best about people?

Read John 15:13.  In your own words describe the greatest kind of love.  Does this mean there are lesser kinds of love?  Explain?

Who were Jesus' friends?  Who are our "friends?"  Are there people for whom we shouldn't lay down our lives?  Why or why not?

Does Jesus command mean that we need to literally give up our lives?  Why or why not?  What does it mean?

As a group come up with 5-6 examples of how you might lay down your life for someone.

What are the things that keep us from laying down our lives from others?  How can we get past these things?

What sacrifice are you going to make for someone else this week?

Living a Fruitful Life (John 15)

If you could only eat one kind of fruit for the rest of your life, what would you choose? Why?

What do you think it means to live a "fruitful life"?

As a group, read John 15:1-2. What do you think Jesus means when he talks about "fruit"?

Have different people read the following passages about fruit and then use the questions below to discuss them:

• Matthew 3:7-10
• Mark 4:13-20
• Galatians 5:16-23
  
• Hebrews 12:7-11

Questions:

• What is the primary instruction in this passage?
• Is there a warning in this passage?
• What synonyms could you use to replace the word "fruit" in this passage?

Have everyone in the group give an example of what "good fruit" would be in their lives? Discuss what "bad fruit" might look like.

What steps should people take in order to see good fruit developed in their lives? What kind of activities might be harmful to developing good fruit?

What is one fruit you'd like to develop in your own life? What one or two things can you do this week to help develop that fruit?

How can this group pray for you and help you as you develop fruit?

A Generic Bible Study: John 1:9-13

The Discussion Guide below is designed to accomplish two purposes:
1. The group can study John 1:9-13 together.
2. Each person in the group can discover a method of Bible study that is extremely simple and which they can do on their own.

The first jpg is the actual study, the second is a blank template you can use yourself.



I first discovered this Bible Study Method at Alan Danielson's blog.

The Light in the Dark. The Word of Life. (John 1)

Has anyone in the group ever gotten lost or gotten hurt because of the dark? How would a light have helped?

What paths in your life right now would you like to have illuminated?

"The Word" and "The Light" are the primary characters in this passage. As a group, look at verses 1-18 and make a list of the descriptors and actions of the Word and the Light.

What was the role of the Word in creation? (vs.3) How is this the same or different than the Genesis account of creation? Does one account of creation negate the other? Why or why not?

Who is The Word? Who is The Light? Why do you think John used these names?

Verses 10-11 talk about people not knowing the Light. Who were these people that didn't know him? Why didn't they know him? Do you think you would have known him? Why or why not?

What do you think it means to "believe on his name"? (vs. 12) What are the benefits of becoming a child of God? What are the responsibilities?

What do you think verses 18 means? How does Jesus "make the Father known"? What do we know about the Father because of Jesus?

Verses 35-51 are stories of Jesus calling his disciples to follow him. Suggest everyone read these later on their own, but focus in on the words of Jesus.

Verse 38 includes John's first recorded words of Jesus. He says, "What are you seeking?" If Jesus were to ask you that question, what would you say?

Jesus call to all these disciples was "Follow me." If Jesus said that to you today, where do you think he would lead you? Why?

After looking at this chapter, What do you need to do next?