The Fruit of the Christian - John 15:1-17

By David Woods

Discussion: I would like us to list on our whiteboard the names of several people whom we consider to be very spiritual people.

Discussion: On the other side of the board, I would like us to list what it was about these people that they were very spiritual people.

For a moment now, I would like us to put "humility" aside. I think sometimes our humility can be a false humility in such cases. Do not worry about appearing to be proud in answering this question.

Discussion: On a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being very spiritual and 1 hardly being spiritual at all, how spiritual a person are you?

Discussion: Why did you give the answer you gave?
(Note: I am assuming most will not grade themselves extremely spiritual. I would like the class to discuss what exactly makes them less spiritual - is it not reading more of the Bible daily, is it struggling to pray, is it because they are not soul-winners? Why?)

Read John 15:1-17

The scripture text we are studying today has become very popular in the past few years. It is the subject of books and Bible studies. But in all the discussion about what this scripture means, I hope we will not lose sight of the message Jesus tells us in this scripture: you can be a person of great spiritual vitality.

For a few moments, I would like us to discuss three things Jesus envisions for the believers. I doubt this is a comprehensive list of all the blessings that Jesus would like to bestow upon the believer. But Jesus lists four specific blessings He desires the believer to enjoy.

1. Spiritual Fruit

Read John 15:2, 5, 8, 16

Discussion: What is spiritual fruit?
(It is important to note that while soul-winning is an important fruit of the Christian, it is only one of many fruits. There is the fruit of the Spirit. There is spiritual growth, generically stated.)

Read John 15:2, 6

Jesus states that it is possible that a Christian will begin to be unproductive.

Discussion: Based on our definition of spiritual fruit and what Jesus says in our text, who is this unproductive branch?
(It is the Christian who alienates himself from Christ and backslides spiritually to the point that he is producing no spiritual fruit.)

2. Joy

Read John 15:11

Discussion: Verse eleven promises that we will be filled with joy as we obey Christ. Why and how is joy the result of obedience to Christ?

3. Answered Prayer

Read John 15:7, 16

Discussion: Is this a blank check from Heaven for us to receiving anything we might desire?

Discussion: Does God truly answer our prayers according to our desire?
(The key seems to be that as we draw closer to God, our attitudes and desires are conformed to God's will and so God answers our prayers according to His will.)

Discussion: So - what has Christ promised us in these verses?

4. Friendship with God

Read John 15:15, 16

As Christians, we are God's servants. We are the servants of Christ.

Discussion: Why does Christ go out of His way to tell us we are His friends?

Discussion: Though we are friends with God, there are still proper relationship boundaries for us as the friends of God. What are those boundaries, according to verse sixteen?

We have noted that spiritual vitality is Christ's desire for the Christian. Now, I would like us to discuss how we achieve that spiritual vitality, according to Jesus.

The picture Jesus paints for us is of a vineyard. God the Father is the vinedresser - the farmer. Jesus is the vine - the True Vine. Each Christian is a branch from the vine of Christ.

As the Father tends His Vine, He finds non-producing branches, which he cuts off and burns, and producing branches, which He prunes so that they will become even more fruitful.

In verse two and three, there is a seeming contradiction. The fruitful branch is purged or cleansed by the farmer, and yet we are told the disciples (necessarily, branches) are clean through the Gospel.

Discussion: How can the Christian be "clean", yet need the cleansing/purging/pruning work of the Father?
(The Christian is forgiven of his/her sins through the blood of Christ, however there is a progressive work of holiness that continues through this person's life.)

Discussion: Looking at verse eight, does the bearing of spiritual fruit make a person a disciple of Christ?
(No, this verse is not saying that bearing fruit makes us a disciple. Rather, spiritual fruit demonstrates that we are disciples of Christ. If bearing spiritual fruit made a person a disciple, we would be teaching a works-religion, not a relationship with Christ.)

Discussion: What does the idea of the Christian being a branch of the vine tell us about our relationship with Christ?
(It indicates a close relationship with Christ.)

Discussion: Why does the branch bear fruit? How does the branch bear spiritual fruit?
(Spiritual fruit is the by-product of one's relationship with Christ.)

Discussion: How does one abide in Christ? (see John 15:10 and John 6:56)

Jesus gives us a progression of thought in verses nine through twelve. We are to continue in Christ's love. We abide in Christ by obeying His commandments. His command to us is that we love one another.

Discussion: Practically, what does it mean to love others as Christ has loved us?
(If we are to love others as Christ loved us, we will be producing spiritual fruit as mentioned earlier - not only soul-winning, but also the character qualities mentioned in Galatians, for how can we love others as Christ did without being kind, longsuffering, etc.?)

Discussion: How is spiritual fruit a natural by-product of abiding in Christ if abiding in Christ means obeying God's commandments? Is there a contradiction here? Why not?

At the beginning of this lesson, I asked you what you thought it meant to be a very spiritual person. Then, I asked you to rate your own spirituality.

Probably most of us would not rate ourselves extremely high. If you're like me, you're afraid to do so. You are too aware of your weaknesses.

The main truth I have been trying to lead us to is this:

Big Idea: Your spiritual vitality is linked to your intimacy with Christ.

I think most of us would be afraid to rate ourselves very highly spiritually. But I think most of us want to become more spiritual, more devout, more godly. Jesus tells us the secret in this scripture - it is abiding in Him. Intimacy with Christ is the key to producing an abundant harvest of spiritual fruit.

Discussion: What does it mean to develop an intimate relationship with Christ?

Discussion: Is this relationship with Christ developed simply by doing things - reading your Bible, praying, etc.? Or, is there more to it than just doing things?

Prayer: As we close in prayer, I would encourage you to ask the Holy Spirit to show you any area in your life in which you need to "move up" spiritually. As He shows you this area, I challenge you to make a specific commitment to address this issue in your life.