The Vineyard- June 17, 2012

The Vineyard

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

Luke 15:11-32

- How would you characterize the behavior of the younger son? 

- How would you characterize the behavior of the father toward the younger son?

- What is the older son’s reaction to his brother’s behavior, and his father’s forgiveness of his brother? 

- What does the father do for both sons?  When the younger son returns, what does the father do?  When the older son is upset, what does he do?

- What does the father’s behavior teach us about God’s love?  What does it teach us about how father’s should love?

II Peter 1:1-21

- Peter tells us that we have everything we need for our Christian walk.  What is he referring to?  How are these things helpful for our spiritual development? 

- It is evident that becoming a Christian is the beginning of a process through which we are continually growing in faith.  How have you grown recently in your faith?  If you haven’t grown, what steps can you take so that growth will begin to happen?

- Peter clearly remembers the words of Jesus and God the Father, as he references Jesus prediction that he (Peter) will die for the faith, and also God’s glorification of Jesus during the Transfiguration.  How does remembering the words of Jesus help our faith?