The Vineyard- July 22, 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

John 21:15-19

- This was one of the stories the children learned at VBS.  The question we asked them was, how do you think Peter felt when he realized he had Jesus’ forgiveness, even after denying him three times?

- Do you think it’s a coincidence that Jesus gives Peter three opportunities to say “I love you”?  What do you think it meant to Peter, to be able to say “I love you” three times, to the one whom he had denied three times just a few days before?

- What does this tell you about our ability to change, and Jesus ability to forgive?

- What does Jesus’ say will be required of Peter?  Will following Jesus be easy?

John 15:1-11:

- This is another passage that our kids looked at during VBS.  What do you think it means for Jesus to be the vine, and for us to be the branches?

- What does it mean to abide in Jesus?  If a branch becomes separated from the vine, does it survive?  Why does it need the vine to live and to thrive?

-  Why do we need Jesus spiritually?  What does Jesus provide so that our spirits can thrive? 

-          What does Jesus’ tell us to abide in?  (verse 9) How does the joy of Jesus reside in us?  How does that make our joy full, or complete?