October 1st, 2025
by Dalton Jenkins
by Dalton Jenkins
Are You Connected? Bearing Fruit in Christ
In John 15, Jesus uses a powerful metaphor that speaks directly to our spiritual lives. He describes Himself as the true vine and us as branches, illustrating our need to stay deeply connected to Him if we want to bear fruit in our lives.
This connection isn't just about church attendance or religious activities—it's about a living relationship that transforms us from the inside out.
Why Does God Prune Us?
Pruning is a necessary part of growth. When a gardener prunes a plant, they're not punishing it—they're preparing it for greater fruitfulness. Similarly, God removes things from our lives that hinder our spiritual growth:
This pruning process can be painful, but it's always purposeful. God isn't trying to hurt us; He's shaping us for greater usefulness in His kingdom.
The Difference Between Faithfulness and Fruitfulness
Many Christians have mastered faithfulness—showing up, staying committed, and persevering through difficulties. But faithfulness alone isn't enough. God calls us to be fruitful.
Think about a tree that's full of green leaves but never produces fruit. It looks healthy, but it's not fulfilling its purpose. Similarly, we can appear spiritually healthy on the outside while remaining unproductive in our Christian walk.
True fruitfulness comes from abiding in Christ. When we stay connected to Him, we naturally produce the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
How Do I Know If I'm Truly Connected?
Why Do My Connections Matter?
You need people who will:
What Makes Us Different from the World?
When we're connected to Christ, we stand out from the world. While the world produces the works of the flesh, we produce the fruit of the Spirit.
This distinction will sometimes put us at odds with the world. As 2 Timothy 3:12 reminds us, "All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
Remember that our citizenship is in heaven, not in this world. We're just passing through, and our values and priorities should reflect that reality.
How Does the Holy Spirit Help Us?
The good news is that we don't have to produce fruit on our own. The Holy Spirit empowers us to fulfill Jesus's commands.
The Spirit:
With the Holy Spirit's help, we can become productive branches that bring glory to God.
Life Application
This week, I challenge you to:
Ask yourself these questions:
This connection isn't just about church attendance or religious activities—it's about a living relationship that transforms us from the inside out.
Why Does God Prune Us?
Pruning is a necessary part of growth. When a gardener prunes a plant, they're not punishing it—they're preparing it for greater fruitfulness. Similarly, God removes things from our lives that hinder our spiritual growth:
- Sin that entangles us
- Unhealthy attachments
- Misplaced priorities
- Attitudes that don't reflect Christ
This pruning process can be painful, but it's always purposeful. God isn't trying to hurt us; He's shaping us for greater usefulness in His kingdom.
The Difference Between Faithfulness and Fruitfulness
Many Christians have mastered faithfulness—showing up, staying committed, and persevering through difficulties. But faithfulness alone isn't enough. God calls us to be fruitful.
Think about a tree that's full of green leaves but never produces fruit. It looks healthy, but it's not fulfilling its purpose. Similarly, we can appear spiritually healthy on the outside while remaining unproductive in our Christian walk.
True fruitfulness comes from abiding in Christ. When we stay connected to Him, we naturally produce the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
How Do I Know If I'm Truly Connected?
- Connection to Christ is the prerequisite for fruitfulness. Jesus says in John 15:7, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you."
- This isn't a blank check to get whatever we want. Rather, when we're truly connected to Christ, our desires align with His. We begin to want what He wants, and we pray according to His will.
- The evidence of true connection is fruit. Not just any fruit, but fruit that lasts—transformed character, good works, and spiritual impact in others' lives.
Why Do My Connections Matter?
- Your spiritual growth isn't just about your connection to Christ—it's also about who you're connected to. The people around you are like soil for your spiritual life. Some relationships nourish growth, while others deplete it.
- Some Christians can be like parasites, draining your energy and hindering your growth. These aren't necessarily bad people, but they may be heading in a different direction spiritually.
You need people who will:
- Encourage you even when it's difficult
- Tell you the truth even when you don't want to hear it
- Support your spiritual growth rather than hinder it
What Makes Us Different from the World?
When we're connected to Christ, we stand out from the world. While the world produces the works of the flesh, we produce the fruit of the Spirit.
This distinction will sometimes put us at odds with the world. As 2 Timothy 3:12 reminds us, "All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted."
Remember that our citizenship is in heaven, not in this world. We're just passing through, and our values and priorities should reflect that reality.
How Does the Holy Spirit Help Us?
The good news is that we don't have to produce fruit on our own. The Holy Spirit empowers us to fulfill Jesus's commands.
The Spirit:
- Teaches us and reminds us of Christ's words (John 14:26)
- Gives us power to be witnesses (Acts 1:8)
- Helps us in our weaknesses (Romans 8)
With the Holy Spirit's help, we can become productive branches that bring glory to God.
Life Application
This week, I challenge you to:
- Identify one fruit of the Spirit you need to develop more fully in your life. Is it patience? Self-control? Love? Focus on this area and ask God to help you grow.
- Evaluate your connections—both with God and with others. Are you spending daily time in God's Word and prayer? Are the people closest to you helping or hindering your spiritual growth?
- Reframe difficult situations as God's pruning rather than punishment. Ask yourself: "What is God trying to teach me through this? How might He be preparing me for greater fruitfulness?"
- Remember that you were handpicked by Jesus to bear fruit. You're not just hanging on—you're meant to be productive in His kingdom.
Ask yourself these questions:
- Am I connected to the vine, or am I trying to produce fruit on my own?
- Am I willing to allow God to prune areas of my life, or am I resisting His transformative work?
- What specific fruit am I producing that will last for eternity?
Type your new text here.
Day 1: Connected to the True Vine
Devotional
Have you ever noticed how a branch separated from its vine quickly withers and dies? In the same way, our spiritual lives depend entirely on our connection to Jesus. He doesn't call us to religious performance but to a living relationship where His life flows through us. Jesus uses this powerful metaphor to help us understand that apart from Him, we can do nothing of eternal value. No amount of church attendance, Bible knowledge, or good deeds can substitute for this vital connection. When we try to produce fruit through our own efforts, we inevitably burn out and become spiritually dry. The beautiful truth is that God designed us for connection. He created us to draw our spiritual nourishment, purpose, and strength directly from Christ. This isn't a burdensome obligation but an invitation to experience the abundant life Jesus promised. Today, consider the quality of your connection to the True Vine. Are you merely going through religious motions, or are you experiencing the life-giving flow of Christ's presence? The difference isn't just academic—it determines whether your life produces lasting fruit or merely temporary results.
Bible Verse
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." - John 15:1-2
Reflection Question
What specific practices or habits help you maintain a vibrant connection to Jesus, and which activities in your life might actually be disconnecting you from the True Vine?
Quote
I don't want to be that limb that is connected. But I'm dried up. That's a dangerous place to be because you feel that you're okay, but you know you're dried up.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for being my True Vine. Forgive me for the times I've tried to produce fruit through my own efforts. Help me to recognize when I'm disconnecting from You and teach me to abide more deeply in Your presence. I want my life to overflow with the fruit that only comes from You. Amen.
Day 2: Embracing the Pruning Process
Devotional
Gardeners understand that pruning—cutting away certain parts of a plant—is essential for its health and productivity. Similarly, God's pruning work in our lives, while sometimes painful, is always purposeful. When God removes things from our lives—relationships, opportunities, habits, or even dreams—He does so with perfect wisdom and love. He sees what is hindering our growth and limiting our fruitfulness. His pruning might involve conviction about sin, redirection of our priorities, or removal of distractions that compete for our devotion. The pruning process often feels like loss in the moment. We might question God's goodness or wonder if we're being punished. But pruning is not punishment—it's preparation. God is making room for greater growth, deeper character, and more abundant fruit. Rather than resisting God's pruning work, we can embrace it with trust, knowing that the temporary discomfort leads to lasting fruitfulness. The Master Gardener never cuts away without purpose, and He never prunes beyond what we can bear with His help.
Bible Verse
"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." - Hebrews 12:11
Reflection Question
What area of your life might God be pruning right now, and how might you cooperate with His work rather than resist it?
Quote
Pruning is hard, but it's not punishment.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me enough to prune away what doesn't belong in my life. Give me the courage to surrender to Your pruning process, trusting that You see what I cannot. Help me to recognize Your loving hand even in seasons of loss or change. May my life bear the fruit that only comes through Your careful tending. Amen.
Day 3: From Faithfulness to Fruitfulness
Devotional
Many of us excel at faithfulness—we attend church regularly, read our Bibles, serve in ministries, and maintain consistent spiritual disciplines. These practices are valuable, but God calls us beyond mere faithfulness to genuine fruitfulness. Fruitfulness is the visible evidence of Christ's life flowing through us. It's not about religious performance but spiritual productivity. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—naturally emerges when we remain connected to Jesus. God has uniquely designed each of us to bear specific fruit in His kingdom. Your fruitfulness might look different from others, but it always reflects Christ's character and advances His purposes. Whether through mentoring others, showing compassion, creating beauty, or speaking truth, your life was meant to produce lasting impact. The journey from faithfulness to fruitfulness requires intentionality. We must move beyond comfortable religious routines to allow God's transforming power to work through us. As we abide in Christ, His life naturally produces fruit that brings glory to God and blessing to others.
Bible Verse
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23
Reflection Question
In what ways might you be settling for faithfulness (showing up) without pressing into fruitfulness (spiritual productivity)? What one step could you take to move beyond religious activity to genuine spiritual impact?
Quote
Many Christians excel at faithfulness (showing up and staying committed) but fall short of fruitfulness.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me to bear fruit that lasts. Forgive me for times when I've settled for religious activity without spiritual productivity. Help me to move beyond merely showing up to truly making a difference through Your power working in me. May my life produce the kind of fruit that clearly demonstrates Your presence and brings glory to Your name. Amen.
Day 4: Watching Your Connections
Devotional
Just as a plant's growth is affected by the soil it's planted in, our spiritual development is profoundly influenced by our relationships. Some connections nourish our growth while others deplete it. Jesus emphasized our primary connection to Him as the True Vine, but He also recognized the impact of human relationships on our spiritual fruitfulness. Even well-meaning Christians can sometimes pull us away from God's best purposes for our lives. This doesn't mean isolating ourselves from others or becoming judgmental. Rather, it calls us to wisdom about who speaks into our lives, who we spend significant time with, and whose counsel we seek. We need people who will speak truth even when it's difficult, who will encourage our spiritual growth rather than enable our comfort, and who will point us toward Christ rather than toward worldly values. Evaluating our connections isn't selfish—it's stewardship. God has entrusted us with gifts, calling, and purpose that can be either enhanced or hindered by our relationships. By intentionally cultivating life-giving connections and carefully limiting depleting ones, we position ourselves for greater fruitfulness.
Bible Verse
"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers." - Psalm 1:1-3
Reflection Question
Which relationships in your life are most nourishing to your spiritual growth, and which ones might be hindering your fruitfulness? How might you need to adjust your connections?
Quote
The people you connected to are like the soil. If the soil is not good, you're not going to get anything out of it.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me wisdom about my relationships. Help me to recognize which connections are helping me grow spiritually and which ones might be holding me back. Guide me to invest in life-giving relationships and to set appropriate boundaries where needed. Thank You for the people You've placed in my life who speak truth and encourage my growth. May my connections help me become more fruitful for Your kingdom. Amen.
Day 5: Empowered by the Spirit
Devotional
The beautiful truth about bearing spiritual fruit is that we don't have to do it through our own strength. God never intended for us to strive and struggle to produce results in our own power. Instead, He has given us the Holy Spirit—our Helper, Comforter, and Empowerer. The Holy Spirit teaches us and reminds us of Christ's words. He gives us strength to witness even in difficult circumstances. He helps us in our weaknesses, even praying through us when we don't know what to pray. This divine partnership transforms spiritual productivity from an exhausting obligation to a supernatural collaboration. When we face opposition from the world—which Jesus said would happen—we don't face it alone. When we feel inadequate for the tasks before us, we can rely on the Spirit's power rather than our own abilities. When we don't know which direction to take, the Spirit guides us into truth. Today, take a deep breath and release the pressure of trying to bear fruit through your own efforts. Instead, consciously invite the Holy Spirit to work in and through you. Spiritual fruitfulness isn't about what you can accomplish for God but what God can accomplish through a surrendered vessel.
Bible Verse
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." - Acts 1:8
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life do you need to stop striving in your own strength and start relying more fully on the Holy Spirit's power? How might your approach to spiritual growth change if you truly believed you weren't alone in the process?
Quote
You don't have to worry about fighting this fight by yourself. You don't have to worry about being productive by yourself. No, you know right now that you have the Holy spirit.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank You for Your presence in my life. Forgive me for the times I've tried to produce fruit through my own efforts instead of relying on Your power. I invite You to work in me and through me today. Teach me, guide me, empower me, and help me to bear fruit that brings glory to Jesus. I surrender my inadequacy and receive Your sufficiency. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Devotional
Have you ever noticed how a branch separated from its vine quickly withers and dies? In the same way, our spiritual lives depend entirely on our connection to Jesus. He doesn't call us to religious performance but to a living relationship where His life flows through us. Jesus uses this powerful metaphor to help us understand that apart from Him, we can do nothing of eternal value. No amount of church attendance, Bible knowledge, or good deeds can substitute for this vital connection. When we try to produce fruit through our own efforts, we inevitably burn out and become spiritually dry. The beautiful truth is that God designed us for connection. He created us to draw our spiritual nourishment, purpose, and strength directly from Christ. This isn't a burdensome obligation but an invitation to experience the abundant life Jesus promised. Today, consider the quality of your connection to the True Vine. Are you merely going through religious motions, or are you experiencing the life-giving flow of Christ's presence? The difference isn't just academic—it determines whether your life produces lasting fruit or merely temporary results.
Bible Verse
"I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." - John 15:1-2
Reflection Question
What specific practices or habits help you maintain a vibrant connection to Jesus, and which activities in your life might actually be disconnecting you from the True Vine?
Quote
I don't want to be that limb that is connected. But I'm dried up. That's a dangerous place to be because you feel that you're okay, but you know you're dried up.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for being my True Vine. Forgive me for the times I've tried to produce fruit through my own efforts. Help me to recognize when I'm disconnecting from You and teach me to abide more deeply in Your presence. I want my life to overflow with the fruit that only comes from You. Amen.
Day 2: Embracing the Pruning Process
Devotional
Gardeners understand that pruning—cutting away certain parts of a plant—is essential for its health and productivity. Similarly, God's pruning work in our lives, while sometimes painful, is always purposeful. When God removes things from our lives—relationships, opportunities, habits, or even dreams—He does so with perfect wisdom and love. He sees what is hindering our growth and limiting our fruitfulness. His pruning might involve conviction about sin, redirection of our priorities, or removal of distractions that compete for our devotion. The pruning process often feels like loss in the moment. We might question God's goodness or wonder if we're being punished. But pruning is not punishment—it's preparation. God is making room for greater growth, deeper character, and more abundant fruit. Rather than resisting God's pruning work, we can embrace it with trust, knowing that the temporary discomfort leads to lasting fruitfulness. The Master Gardener never cuts away without purpose, and He never prunes beyond what we can bear with His help.
Bible Verse
"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." - Hebrews 12:11
Reflection Question
What area of your life might God be pruning right now, and how might you cooperate with His work rather than resist it?
Quote
Pruning is hard, but it's not punishment.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank You for loving me enough to prune away what doesn't belong in my life. Give me the courage to surrender to Your pruning process, trusting that You see what I cannot. Help me to recognize Your loving hand even in seasons of loss or change. May my life bear the fruit that only comes through Your careful tending. Amen.
Day 3: From Faithfulness to Fruitfulness
Devotional
Many of us excel at faithfulness—we attend church regularly, read our Bibles, serve in ministries, and maintain consistent spiritual disciplines. These practices are valuable, but God calls us beyond mere faithfulness to genuine fruitfulness. Fruitfulness is the visible evidence of Christ's life flowing through us. It's not about religious performance but spiritual productivity. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—naturally emerges when we remain connected to Jesus. God has uniquely designed each of us to bear specific fruit in His kingdom. Your fruitfulness might look different from others, but it always reflects Christ's character and advances His purposes. Whether through mentoring others, showing compassion, creating beauty, or speaking truth, your life was meant to produce lasting impact. The journey from faithfulness to fruitfulness requires intentionality. We must move beyond comfortable religious routines to allow God's transforming power to work through us. As we abide in Christ, His life naturally produces fruit that brings glory to God and blessing to others.
Bible Verse
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23
Reflection Question
In what ways might you be settling for faithfulness (showing up) without pressing into fruitfulness (spiritual productivity)? What one step could you take to move beyond religious activity to genuine spiritual impact?
Quote
Many Christians excel at faithfulness (showing up and staying committed) but fall short of fruitfulness.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for calling me to bear fruit that lasts. Forgive me for times when I've settled for religious activity without spiritual productivity. Help me to move beyond merely showing up to truly making a difference through Your power working in me. May my life produce the kind of fruit that clearly demonstrates Your presence and brings glory to Your name. Amen.
Day 4: Watching Your Connections
Devotional
Just as a plant's growth is affected by the soil it's planted in, our spiritual development is profoundly influenced by our relationships. Some connections nourish our growth while others deplete it. Jesus emphasized our primary connection to Him as the True Vine, but He also recognized the impact of human relationships on our spiritual fruitfulness. Even well-meaning Christians can sometimes pull us away from God's best purposes for our lives. This doesn't mean isolating ourselves from others or becoming judgmental. Rather, it calls us to wisdom about who speaks into our lives, who we spend significant time with, and whose counsel we seek. We need people who will speak truth even when it's difficult, who will encourage our spiritual growth rather than enable our comfort, and who will point us toward Christ rather than toward worldly values. Evaluating our connections isn't selfish—it's stewardship. God has entrusted us with gifts, calling, and purpose that can be either enhanced or hindered by our relationships. By intentionally cultivating life-giving connections and carefully limiting depleting ones, we position ourselves for greater fruitfulness.
Bible Verse
"Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers." - Psalm 1:1-3
Reflection Question
Which relationships in your life are most nourishing to your spiritual growth, and which ones might be hindering your fruitfulness? How might you need to adjust your connections?
Quote
The people you connected to are like the soil. If the soil is not good, you're not going to get anything out of it.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, give me wisdom about my relationships. Help me to recognize which connections are helping me grow spiritually and which ones might be holding me back. Guide me to invest in life-giving relationships and to set appropriate boundaries where needed. Thank You for the people You've placed in my life who speak truth and encourage my growth. May my connections help me become more fruitful for Your kingdom. Amen.
Day 5: Empowered by the Spirit
Devotional
The beautiful truth about bearing spiritual fruit is that we don't have to do it through our own strength. God never intended for us to strive and struggle to produce results in our own power. Instead, He has given us the Holy Spirit—our Helper, Comforter, and Empowerer. The Holy Spirit teaches us and reminds us of Christ's words. He gives us strength to witness even in difficult circumstances. He helps us in our weaknesses, even praying through us when we don't know what to pray. This divine partnership transforms spiritual productivity from an exhausting obligation to a supernatural collaboration. When we face opposition from the world—which Jesus said would happen—we don't face it alone. When we feel inadequate for the tasks before us, we can rely on the Spirit's power rather than our own abilities. When we don't know which direction to take, the Spirit guides us into truth. Today, take a deep breath and release the pressure of trying to bear fruit through your own efforts. Instead, consciously invite the Holy Spirit to work in and through you. Spiritual fruitfulness isn't about what you can accomplish for God but what God can accomplish through a surrendered vessel.
Bible Verse
"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." - Acts 1:8
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life do you need to stop striving in your own strength and start relying more fully on the Holy Spirit's power? How might your approach to spiritual growth change if you truly believed you weren't alone in the process?
Quote
You don't have to worry about fighting this fight by yourself. You don't have to worry about being productive by yourself. No, you know right now that you have the Holy spirit.
Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank You for Your presence in my life. Forgive me for the times I've tried to produce fruit through my own efforts instead of relying on Your power. I invite You to work in me and through me today. Teach me, guide me, empower me, and help me to bear fruit that brings glory to Jesus. I surrender my inadequacy and receive Your sufficiency. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Small Group Discussion
In this sermon titled "Are You Connected?" from John 15:1-17, Pastor Dr. Dalton Jenkins explores the metaphor of Jesus as the true vine and believers as branches. He emphasizes that staying connected to Christ is essential for spiritual growth and fruitfulness. The pastor explains that pruning, though painful, is God's way of preparing believers for greater fruitfulness rather than punishment. He warns against being like a tree with leaves but no fruit, and stresses the importance of not just being faithful but being fruitful. The sermon also highlights the significance of being connected to the right people who encourage spiritual growth rather than hinder it.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts and minds, ready to receive what You have for us today. Thank You for Your Word that teaches us about staying connected to You, the true vine. As we discuss this message together, we ask that Your Holy Spirit would guide our conversation, revealing areas where we need pruning and showing us how to bear more fruit for Your kingdom. Help us to be honest with ourselves and with each other about our spiritual connections. May this time together draw us closer to You and to one another. In Jesus' name, amen.
Ice Breaker
What's your favorite fruit, and why do you enjoy it?
Key Verses
John 15:5
John 15:2
John 15:7-8
John 15:16
Galatians 5:22-23
Questions
Life Application
This week, choose one fruit of the Spirit that you find challenging to develop in your life. Each day, spend 15 minutes in prayer and Bible reading specifically focused on growing in this area. Ask God to show you opportunities to practice this fruit in your daily interactions. Also, take time to evaluate your connections—both with God and with others. Are there relationships that are hindering your spiritual growth? Are there habits or activities that are preventing you from being as fruitful as God intends? Make one concrete change this week to strengthen your connection to the vine and position yourself for greater fruitfulness.
Key Takeaways
Staying connected to Jesus is essential for spiritual growth and fruitfulness.
Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for being our true vine and for inviting us to abide in You. We acknowledge that apart from You, we can do nothing of eternal value. Forgive us for the times we've tried to produce fruit in our own strength or when we've been content with just looking good without being truly productive for Your kingdom. Help us to embrace Your pruning work in our lives, even when it's uncomfortable. Give us wisdom to evaluate our connections and courage to make changes where needed. This week, empower us by Your Spirit to grow in the fruit You've highlighted for each of us. May we not just be faithful, but fruitful disciples who bring glory to Your name. Thank You that You've handpicked each of us for a purpose. May we fulfill that purpose as we stay deeply connected to You. In Your precious name we pray, amen.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts and minds, ready to receive what You have for us today. Thank You for Your Word that teaches us about staying connected to You, the true vine. As we discuss this message together, we ask that Your Holy Spirit would guide our conversation, revealing areas where we need pruning and showing us how to bear more fruit for Your kingdom. Help us to be honest with ourselves and with each other about our spiritual connections. May this time together draw us closer to You and to one another. In Jesus' name, amen.
Ice Breaker
What's your favorite fruit, and why do you enjoy it?
Key Verses
John 15:5
John 15:2
John 15:7-8
John 15:16
Galatians 5:22-23
Questions
- In the sermon, Pastor Jenkins talks about the difference between being connected but not productive. Can you think of areas in your life where you might be connected to Christ but not bearing fruit?
- The pastor mentioned that pruning, while painful, is preparation rather than punishment. Share a time when God pruned something from your life that ultimately led to growth.
- How would you describe the difference between faithfulness and fruitfulness in your Christian walk?
- Pastor Jenkins warns about being connected to the wrong people who might hinder your spiritual growth. How do you discern whether a relationship is helping or hindering your connection to Christ?
- The sermon emphasizes that when we abide in Christ and His words abide in us, our prayers align with God's will. How has your prayer life changed as you've grown closer to God?
- What fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) do you find most challenging to develop, and why?
- Pastor Jenkins said, "You are handpicked by Jesus to be productive." How does knowing you were specifically chosen by God affect how you view your purpose?
- The sermon mentions that we should reframe difficult times as God's preparation rather than punishment. How might this perspective change how you approach current challenges in your life?
Life Application
This week, choose one fruit of the Spirit that you find challenging to develop in your life. Each day, spend 15 minutes in prayer and Bible reading specifically focused on growing in this area. Ask God to show you opportunities to practice this fruit in your daily interactions. Also, take time to evaluate your connections—both with God and with others. Are there relationships that are hindering your spiritual growth? Are there habits or activities that are preventing you from being as fruitful as God intends? Make one concrete change this week to strengthen your connection to the vine and position yourself for greater fruitfulness.
Key Takeaways
Staying connected to Jesus is essential for spiritual growth and fruitfulness.
- Pruning, while sometimes painful, is God's way of preparing us for greater fruitfulness, not punishment.
- We must evaluate our connections with others, as some relationships can hinder our spiritual productivity.
- When we truly abide in Christ, our desires align with His will, and our prayers reflect His purposes.
- God has specifically chosen and appointed us to bear lasting fruit that glorifies Him.
Ending Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You for being our true vine and for inviting us to abide in You. We acknowledge that apart from You, we can do nothing of eternal value. Forgive us for the times we've tried to produce fruit in our own strength or when we've been content with just looking good without being truly productive for Your kingdom. Help us to embrace Your pruning work in our lives, even when it's uncomfortable. Give us wisdom to evaluate our connections and courage to make changes where needed. This week, empower us by Your Spirit to grow in the fruit You've highlighted for each of us. May we not just be faithful, but fruitful disciples who bring glory to Your name. Thank You that You've handpicked each of us for a purpose. May we fulfill that purpose as we stay deeply connected to You. In Your precious name we pray, amen.
Dalton Jenkins
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