Series Title: Remain
Message Title: The Rhythm of Remaining Part 2
John 15:1-14 NLT
15 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
1. Remain In His Word
John 15:7 NLT
7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!
His Word doesn't simply inform us - It FORMS us.
Joshua 1:8 NLT
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
James 1:22 NLT
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.
John 15:10 NLT
10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love.
His commands aren't fences keeping us from life - They're guardrails leading us to life.
John 15:11 NLT
11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
2. Reflect His Love
John 15:12-14 NLT
12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.
The love we've received...Becomes the love we reflect.
John 13:35 NLT
35 Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
The goal isn't simply that people know we're Christians. The goal is that people experience Christ when they're around us.
Talk It Over Questions
1. Before jumping into today's discussion, take a few minutes this week to explore the resources available at destinychurch.me—including this week's 5-Day Family Devotional, 11:1 Bible Reading Plan, and other discipleship tools. You can also use Ask Ezra for deeper Bible study throughout the week. Which of these resources has helped you grow the most, or which one would you like to begin using more consistently?
2. Jesus said, "If you remain in me, and my words remain in you..." (John 15:7). What's the difference between simply reading God's Word and allowing God's Word to "remain" in you? What does that look like in everyday life?
3. One of the big ideas from this message was that God's Word is meant to transform us, not just inform us. Can you think of a time when a passage of Scripture genuinely changed the way you thought, responded, or lived?
4. Jesus connects obedience with joy in John 15:10-11. Why do you think our culture often sees obedience as restrictive, while Jesus presents it as the pathway to lasting joy? How have you experienced that in your own life?
5. Have you ever discovered something in Scripture that completely changed your understanding of a passage? What was it? This week, use Ask Ezra to explore a verse from John 15 and come next time you gather ready to share one new insight with the group.
6. The message ended with the challenge to reflect the love of Jesus in ordinary, everyday moments. Who is one person God may be inviting you to intentionally love, encourage, forgive, or serve this week? What is one practical step you can take before next Sunday?
Ask Your Kids
I Need God's Forgiveness Everyday
1. What happens inside us when God forgives us?
2. How can that overflow to others?
3. In the story of the Samaritan Woman, how is her reaction to understanding who Jesus was an example of what we should be doing as believers?
