Our True Supplier

"I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener.  He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.  You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.  Remain in me, and I will remain in you.  No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.  Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 

"I am the vine; you are the branches . . . "As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.  Now remain in my love.  If you obey my commands and remain in his love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete." 

~ John 15: 1-11

Source: By newheavenonearth | Published April 5, 2012

What does a vine do for it's branches?  What are it's real functions?  Today we will examine this and more as we focus in on the scripture above paying close attention to the attachment of the “branch” to the “vine” and the topic of abiding, not only as place of rest but also as a place of receiving – the place where intimacy in our relationship with Christ is developed and the place where we learn to hear His voice. We are better able to understand our identity during and as a result of our times of abiding in Him, remaining in him – the place where we learn from Him (not the world or people around us) who He has made us, how He has made us, and what He has made us to do and be.  We all struggle to get to this quiet place, to hear Him whispering love songs to us, to hear Him guiding our small and big steps, and to hear Him encourage us on towards being who he ultimately designed us to be.


Join us in considering the following as you strive to fight to abide and rest in your true identity in Christ. Click HERE for today's handout.

1. Read John 15:1-17. What word or phrase “jumps” out at you, and describe what it is about the word or phrase that grabs you?
2. What one word or phrase describes your current pace in life and what it feels like? What would creating a quiet place look like for you given your current life stage? What obstacles are you encountering? What might you need to stop doing to create some space for quiet? 
3. What is one decision you can make and one step you can take today to move toward creating that quiet place? Are you willing for those around your table to check in with you next week to see how you are doing with the step?