This document summarizes Jesus' teaching about the relationship between him and believers from John 15:1-17. Jesus describes himself as the vine and believers as branches that must remain connected to him to bear fruit. He commands believers to love one another as he has loved them. The document emphasizes that a loving Christian community is important for showing God's love to others and bringing more people to faith.

1. John 15:1-17
Being Community

2. Why Be A
Christian?
“If being a Christian is
about death then
don’t bother.”
Suzy Deverson
“Our Father in
heaven, hallowed be
your name, your
kingdom come, your
will be done, on earth
as it is in heaven.”
Matthew 6:9-10

3. “I am the true vine, and my
Father is the gardener.” John 15:1

4. The vineyard of the Lord Almighty is the
nation of Israel, and the people of Judah
are the vines he delighted in. Isaiah 5:7

5. Now the Lord God had planted a garden in
the east, in Eden; and there he put the
man he had formed. Genesis 2:8

6. I am the vine; you are the branches. If
you remain in me and I in you, you will
bear much fruit; apart from me you can
do nothing. John 15:5

7. If you remain in me and my words remain
in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will
be done for you. This is to my Fathers
glory, that you bear much fruit, showing
yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:7-8

8. My command is this:
Love each other as I have loved you.
John 15:12

9. The Big Idea
“The folk around us need
to see the clues that Gods
wants them to come
across. Which is the
community of love of
another kind.”
Brian Meardon
13th January 2013.

10. The Big Idea
“An individual choice by
‘us’ to delight in each
other will have corporate
ramifications, will have
community impact.”
Max Cross
20th January 2013

11. The Big Idea
“If we are that place of
love, we can ‘grab guys’
when they see our love.”
Paul Whiteaway
27th January 2013

12. The Big Idea
“Community begins with
us. It doesn’t end here, it
begins with us…. ….If it
doesn’t happen here, it’s
not going to happen out
there.”
Suzy Deverson
3rd February 2013

13. My command is this:
Love each other as I
have loved you.
John 15:12