Verse to Remember: “I am the vine; you are the branches.  Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit.” John 15:5

Scripture.  Choose the passage.  (If using the Jesus Bible, page number given.  Or use Biblegateway.com or Biblehub app).

Observation.  What does the passage say?  What is difficult tounderstand?  What does it say to me?

Application.  How do I apply these verses?  Is there somethingto give God thanks for?  Is there is a sin to avoid?

Prayer.  Simply end your time with God talking with Him.

Day One

Scripture: John 15:1-5.   Jesus Bible pg. 1633.

Observation: Grapes are one my favorite fruits!  But I have never really been to a vineyard.  There are places in the world where vineyards are everywhere.  And the care of the vineyards is of the highest priority.

Jesus is sharing with his disciples on the night before He is crucified.  They do not realize that their Messiah is about to lay down His life on the cross.  Jesus is drawing the disciples close and emphasizing the most important things they need to remember.  He gives this allegory.

“I am the vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.”  Jesus is the vine.  The vine is the big part of the plant that comes from the ground up to about 4 feet.  We are the branches, connected to the vine.  God, the Father, prunes and cares for the vine so it will produce more fruit.

The key word for us to hear loud and clear is “abide.”  Abide means to remain in, to spend time with, to stay.  It is an active word.  What do you think of when you hear the word “abide?”

Application: As we look at this chapter, Jesus is encouraging the disciples that it is crucial to remain in Him.  This passage is NOT teaching that if we do not do certain things, Jesus abandons us!  However, Jesus is teaching us to do the things that help our relationship with Jesus to grow.  Just as a seed needs to be in the right environment to grow…good soil, sunlight, the right amount of water, so we need to spend time with Jesus.  By confessing when we sin, praying (talking to God), reading our Bible, worshipping and encouraging other believers we stay close to Jesus and help our relationship to grow like a seed.

Prayer.  God, help me to abide!  Help me to listen to You, spend time with You, talk to You, listen to You, and treasure You all throughout the day.  I love You.