Community Group Study Notes
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Have someone in your group give a brief recap of Sunday’s message, highlighting the primary Scripture passages and what it means to abide in Jesus & bear fruit.
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What was one thing that God was showing you through the sermon? How did this message change your perspective on your relationship with Jesus & your spiritual growth?
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Read John 15:1-17 and interact with this statement: “The natural outcome of union with Jesus is spiritual growth Nothing can be done apart from Jesus, except for producing wild grapes.” Why does abiding in Jesus bear fruit, or foster spiritual growth? Why does abiding in Jesus prevent the growth of wild grapes/sinful behavior?
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What is growing in your life right now? What are some wild grapes that need to be dealt with?
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How can we, as a community group, encourage each other to abide in Jesus this week? How can we encourage each other to take a next step in loving God, loving the Church, and loving the world?
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What is one action step you can take in light of Sunday’s teaching?
Action Steps
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Love God: Choose one Psalm to read each day this week. For each Psalm, do the following:
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Read the Psalm through in its entirety and write down the main words or phrases that stand out to you.
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Read the Psalm through a second time, but read the words slowly and out loud.
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Read the Psalm through a third time, using the words as a springboard for your praying.
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Find a family member, friend, co-worker, or neighbor and explain to them how you were encouraged by this Psalm.
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Love the Church: reach out to a brother or sister in Christ this week and ask how you can be praying for them – then actually do it!
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Love the World: make a list of the people you regularly see but don’t currently have a friendship or relationship with.
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Consider co-workers, neighbors, store clerks, baristas, postal workers, etc. If you don’t know their names, write down what you do know.
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Spend time in prayer over this list, and choose one person to start a conversation with this week. Challenge yourself to:
- Learn their name
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Learn about their family or background
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Learn at least one of their interests or skills
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If the opportunity presents, ask how you can be praying for them
