The document discusses the key aspects of having faith in Jesus Christ according to the Bible. It examines passages from the gospels of John and 2 Timothy to understand what is revealed about Jesus's character and abilities, and why we can confidently commit to him. The core theme of John 15 is obedience, which binds together the life, love, and dedication of believers. Believers are called to abide in Christ through obedience in order to bear fruit and bring honor to God.

1. Faith in Christ Jesus:
2 Timothy 1:12 defines FAITH as
knowing the trustworthy character and
motives of Jesus, and being confident in
His limitless promise-keeping ability,
and consequently committing yourself
entirely to His keeping. We are studying
the Gospel of John, answering these
questions: 1) What is revealed of Jesus’
character, motives, and abilities? 2) What is
indicated that you could confidently commit to
Jesus’?
Life, Love, Dedication!
John 15:1-8
Jesus explains the life (1-8), love
(9-17), and dedication (18-27) of
believers in John chapter 15. Obedience,
however, is the core theme which binds
those three together. Everyone does
what seems “right” or “best” at the
moment, according to their own current
opinion. A follower of Jesus is to
abandon those always adapting,
adjusting, and independent evaluations.
A believer is to abide in Christ (obedience
implied), love like Christ (obedience
required!), and belong to Christ (obedience
regardless of consequence).
Jesus illustrates LIFE (abiding in
Him) as a process rather than a
possession! If you have blood, but the
blood does not flow, you are not alive!
Read Acts 17:28.
Fruitless braches are cut off and
cast away, and eventually, burned!
Consider the consequences of
fruitlessness! Perhaps you should get
busy bearing fruit!
Pruning cuts off any hindrance to
fruitfulness in the already fruitful. God’s
Word is God’s pruning shears IF you
comply (obedience) with what you read or
hear of it! There are other “tools”, such
as Deuteronomy 8:5, Proverbs 13:24,
Hebrews 12:6-7.
If a vital organ in your body fails,
you die. Your heart is a vital organ. Your
skin is a vital organ! You cannot live
without it! John 15:4 & 7 express our
vital union with Christ Himself. Read this
from The Amplified version, If you live in
Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words
remain in you and continue to live in your hearts,
ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for
you.
Bringing honor and glory to God
is ALL that an abiding-in-Jesus believer
wants or will ask! Will you ask for
healing, or money, or anything for
yourself or for others? Yes, but ONLY
for the honor and glory of God!
Gladly, and willingly, remove from
your life every hindrance to abiding and
bearing fruit! Why would you pray FOR
a hindrance to be granted to you?
When Jesus, and His Words, are vital
(can’t live without) to you, then you will be
fruitful and bring honor and glory to God!
Life, Love, Dedication!
John 15:1-8
Read John 15:2 & 6.
What causes a branch to be cut off and cast
away? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
What happens to a branch that has been cut
off? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Make no mistake, nor become confused!
This is about fruitfulness, not salvation!
Read 1st
Corinthians 3:11-15 right now!
In light of this truth, how do you explain
what Jesus said? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ .
Read John 15:2 & 3.
Why does God “prune” a fruitful branch? _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.

2. How does God “prune” and “cleanse” a
fruitful branch? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
How do the teachings of Jesus accomplish
that? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
How does obedience or disobedience affect
the effectiveness of Jesus’ teachings in your
life? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Reach John 15:7 & 8.
What one condition is placed on an
otherwise “unconditional” promise of
answered prayer? _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_.
What is the “proof” of discipleship? _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
Explain what is the fruitfulness God expects
of us. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _.