This document discusses remaining connected to Jesus and bearing fruit for God. It explains that Jesus is the vine and God is the gardener who prunes branches to make them more fruitful. It emphasizes that people must remain in Jesus and have his teachings remain in them in order to bear much fruit and bring glory to God. The document provides suggestions for how to connect to Jesus through Bible study, service, prayer, and accountability partners, as well as connecting to one's calling and local church.

1. Happy Mayan
Apocalypse!
Winter Solstice.
From now on the days get longer.

2. John 15:1-8 (NIV)
Life in the Vine

3. God Is Our Gardener
1I 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.

4. Pruned to Be Fruitful
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. Remaining in Jesus
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.

6. Bearing Fruit for God’s Glory
7But 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.

8. Connecting to Jesus
• Learning his teachings
(Bible, Theology, Church History)
• Imitating his way of life
(Service, Mission, Creativity, Work, Fa
mily)
• Knowing him personally (Quiet
Times, Worship, Prayer, Singing)

10. Connecting to
Accountability Partners

12. Connecting to Your
Calling
“The place God calls you
to is the place where
your deep gladness and
the world’s deep hunger
meet.”
― Frederick
Buechner, Wishful
Thinking: A Theological
ABC

14. Connecting to Your
Local Church

16. Bear Fruit for God
Remain in Christ

17. Oh yes, before I forget…
• Start a small group for college age and
early 20s
• Need 3 readers for Advent Candle
lighting this Sunday