RadicalTeenStudy_BeginningattheEndofOurselves

Radical Teen StudyLesson: Beginning at the End of Ourselves

Lesson Overview

Biblical Passage

John 15:1–11

Supporting Passages

Exodus 33:1–18; Matthew 11:28–30; Luke 11:1–13; Luke 24:45–49; John 15:12–17; Colossians 1:24–2:5

Memory Verse

John 15:5

Biblical Truth

There is no way to live in relationship with God apart from total dependence on His presence.

Biblical Context

Underlying the American dream is a dangerous assumption that if we are not cautious we will unknowingly accept. Also, theAmerican dream contains a deadly goal that if we are not careful we will ultimately achieve. The dangerous assumption weunknowingly accept is to believe that our greatest asset is our own ability. The American dream prizes what people canaccomplish when they believe and trust in themselves, and we are drawn toward such thinking. But the gospel has differentpriorities. The gospel beckons us to die to ourselves, believe in God, and trust in His power. Even more critical is the fatalgoal we will achieve when we pursue the American dream. As long as we achieve our desires in our own power, we willalways attribute it to our own glory. But here, the gospel and the American dream are clearly and ultimately opposed to oneanother. While the goal of the American dream is to make much of us, the goal of the gospel is to make much of God.

Learning GoalsExplore Goal: Students will examine what it means to fully rely upon God’s presence in their life. ●

Transform Goal: Students will identify areas in their life where they are self-reliant so that they may discover ways to●

become more reliant on God.

Biblical Commentary

InvestigationIn John’s Gospel, we find a record of Jesus’ Last Supper with His disciples (John 13–15). During that evening, He taught themmany things, most of which only John recorded. Jesus told the disciples about the troubles He and they would soonexperience. He knew He was about to be arrested and crucified. These words were among His last to the disciples during Hisearthly ministry.

Though His disciples did not understand everything at that time, Jesus promised to send to them the Helper and Comforter,the Holy Spirit, to guide them. The Spirit would lead them into all truth and remind them what Jesus had taught them. Hewould comfort them and give them peace as they exercised the ministry they had been given. At the conclusion of Histeaching, Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane.

ImportanceThis passage teaches that [Jesus is God and Savior. This passage of Scripture is important for students because it helps themunderstand that a close relationship with Jesus in which they surrender to and obey His Word will enable them to bear fruitso others can also see Christ.

This passage also touches on other Essential Truths: [God Is], [People Are God’s Treasure], and [The Church is God’s Plan].

InterpretationJohn 15:1 This conversation took place as Jesus and His disciples were moving from the house where they had the Passovermeal to the garden where Jesus would pray earnestly to the Father and then be betrayed (14:31; 18:1).

The Old Testament describes Israel as God’s vine or His vineyard (Isa. 5:1–7; Jer. 2:21; Ezek. 15, 19:10; Hos. 10:1; Ps. 80:8).The vine had even become a symbol of Israel as a nation. Because of this imagery, the vine was on Jewish coins and on thefront of the Holy Place in the Temple. The disciples listened to Jesus describe Himself as the true vine—the true Israel.

This is the last of the seven “I am” statements of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of John. These statements were ways Jesusrevealed who He was (“I am the way and the truth,” “I am the light of the world,” and so on). Since “I Am” is the way God

Copyright © The Navigators, 2011. All rights reserved. Permission is granted for reproduction only for the study of StudentLifeBibleStudy curriculum by a licensed church during thelicensed year. No online or other duplication is permitted.

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chose to reveal Himself personally in the Old Testament (Ex. 3:14), these statements are not only descriptive metaphors, butalso Jesus’ revelation to be God in personal relationship with His people. Here, Jesus identified Himself as the vine. For agarden to be fruitful, a gardener or farmer has to take care of it. He identified God the Father as the One who tends thegarden and takes care of the branches.

John 15:2 Those who never bear fruit are branches to be “cut off.” The writer of Hebrews uses this language in 10:26–27,saying: “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, butonly a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.”

Jesus “prunes” those who abide in Him so they will bear more fruit. Again, clarification can be found in Hebrews where it iswritten: “the Lord disciplines those he loves” (12:6) and He does so “for our good” (12:10). The dead wood of a plant or a treecan prevent new growth. It's important for unfruitful branches and limbs to be removed. This encourages more growth. Justas a bush or vine must be pruned regularly, so must God’s people. This cutting away of unhealthy areas may not be pleasant.It may be painful, yet it enables spiritual health, growth, and productivity. This discipline of pruning causes a “harvest ofrighteousness” to be produced in our lives (Heb. 12:11). Consider Christ’s words in Revelation 3:19: “Those whom I love Irebuke and discipline.” A healthy vine always produces fruit, so must a healthy Christ-follower.

John 15:3 At first, this verse seems to be out of place. It jumps from talk of pruning to talk of cleansing. Yet the word cleanhere and the word prunes in verse 2 are from the same root. Jesus’ statement, “You are already clean,” could also read, “Youare already pruned.” Pruning is an act of cleansing, removing unhealthy parts. Jesus used this same word in John 13:10–11when He washed the disciples’ feet. What is the instrument God uses to prune and cleanse? It is His Word. He disciplines bythe powerful truth of His Word (2 Tim. 3:16, Heb. 4:12, Eph. 5:25-27). Believers are clean “because of the Word” and itslife-changing power.

John 15:4–6 This passage shows that God is the One at work to produce fruit in believers. People do not produce it inthemselves. Jesus, as the vine, is the source of all life, growth, and nourishment. A branch on the vine has life through noeffort of its own. It produces fruit through the vine’s nourishment. Further, it is God who prunes the branches. He gives lifeand growth; He cuts and trims. The result is fruit. Not because the branch is trying hard to produce it but simply because itabides in the vine. Christ’s life flows through His children as they abide in Him. They produce fruit not by their own efforts,but because Christ produces it in them.

The imagery of abiding as a branch is powerful. To abide means to live, exist, and remain in relation to something (or in thiscase Someone) else. As Christians, we should view ourselves as branches that must live, exist, and remain in relationshipwith the life-giving vine of Jesus in order to grow. Only those connected to the vine can produce fruit. In other words,remaining in the vine and producing fruit is evidence of salvation. The abiding believer is the only genuine believer.

John 15:7–8 The only way to have effective prayer is through Jesus Christ. By remaining in Christ and His Word, believersare able to know the will of God. They are also able to pray according to His promises. Prayers offered while relying upon thepromises of God’s Word and depending on the Holy Spirit for guidance will be effective. All of this is made possible becauseof Christ’s work as believers abide in Him.

John 15:9 The word translated as “love” is agape. Agape always seeks the best for its recipient. It is perfect love. This is thekind of love that God has for His Son, Jesus, and the kind of love that Jesus has for His followers. God loves us just as much asHe loves His Son! The command given to Christ’s disciples was to abide, dwell, or live in Christ’s perfect, holy, andall-satisfying love.

John 15:10 This is a great example of the tenets of God’s covenant with humankind. Jesus’ followers are to obey Hiscommands. In return, they will “remain in His love.” Love comes from obedience, and obedience comes from love. Love andobedience were tied together in Jesus’ relationship with God. A comparison is made, then, between Jesus’ relationship withHis followers and the Heavenly Father’s relationship with Jesus. Actions are an overflow of the heart.

John 15:11 In the eyes of our culture, the commandments in this passage don’t seem capable of producing joy. The followerof Christ is told to accept discipline, be fruitful in doing God’s will, stay close to Jesus, obey Jesus, and keep Hiscommandments. This is demanding and requires total obedience and humility, but it is the only way to joy. God’scommandments are not given to bind or restrict us. They are given to protect us and free us for a better life. When we are inthe center of God’s will, personal joy and satisfaction result no matter the circumstance.

ImplicationsToo often today, people say things like “he or she is a Christian, they just aren’t living like one right now” or “I was savedwhen I was a kid” while no healthy growth or noticeable spiritual fruit is evident in their lives. Jesus clarifies that this simplyisn’t possible. A healthy vine always produces fruit, so must anyone abiding in the Life of Jesus Christ.


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God prunes those who are in relationship with Christ, removing dead or unhealthy parts of our life that hinder growth. Whencertain plants and flowers are trimmed back, they will grow more quickly. God the Father does the same for believers whenHe disciplines and cleanses them. Unpleasant as it may be, it’s only when these areas are pruned that more growth can occur.How have you encountered God’s pruning? In what ways can you share these experiences to encourage your students as Godworks in their lives? How might we try to hang on to areas Jesus desires to remove?

Simply put: Nobody can live for Christ if they are not living in Christ. And anybody who truly has Christ living in them willproduce healthy spiritual fruit, evidencing a relationship with Jesus. It is only by relying upon His power that anyone can leadproductive and meaningful lives.

The fruit Christ produces in us always brings glory to God. Because of this, we can rest in Christ and totally depend on Hiswork in and through us. Sometimes it’s tempting to think we can produce good fruit in our own strength, but at those timesHe will remind us of our dependence on Him. We look to Christ in faith to produce fruit in us just as we looked to Him in faithto save us. How have you experienced an awareness that you are completely dependent on Him? How can you encourageyour students as they learn what it means to abide in Christ and bear fruit?

Teaching Plan: Connect ActivitiesAll activity sheets are at the end of this printable lesson

Book Option: Capable Dreams(5–7 minutes)

Emphasize that David Platt uses the term American dream often in his book. Note in chapter 3, he attributes James TruslowAdams with being the one to coin the phrase American dream (pp. 45–46). Read the following quote from Adams: “[It is] adream . . . in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain the fullest stature of which they are innately capable,and be recognized by others for what they are.”

Invite students to share their initial responses to this quote. After a moment of sharing, ask: Who is the focus ofachievement in this quote? (individuals/us) Ask: How is this idea opposite from the gospel message? Encouragestudents to share their answers. Point out that the gospel places Christ at the focus of our lives instead of ourselves. Note inconsidering ourselves to be “innately capable” people, we do not have to rely on others. Ask: How do you see a lack ofreliance on others to be harmful to our lives? Allow students to briefly share. How does the belief that we arecapable of anything we put our minds to and that we deserve recognition for our own goodness distort our view ofthe gospel? Explain that the Christ must be followed in humility; we do not deserve His favor. Today students will explorehow they are completely reliant on God to do what they could never do for themselves.

Younger Student Option: Human GPS(5–10 minutes)Provide cones (or plastic cups), chairs, cardboard boxes, blindfolds, and a reward of some kind.

Place the cones, chairs, and cardboard boxes at random in the center of the room and divide the students into groups of two.One person in each group will be blindfolded and placed at the opposite end of the room from their partner. Explain to thestudents who aren’t blindfolded that it is their job to talk their blindfolded partners across the room without running into anyof the objects. The winning team will receive a reward.

Once the game is finished, ask: What made this game difficult? Allow students to dialogue. Then ask: How much moredifficult, or impossible, would this have been if the blindfolded person didn’t have help? Emphasize that it would beimpossible to receive the reward without outside help; we would always fail on our own ability. Say: Now we are going totake a look at how Christ-followers rely completely on God’s leadership.

Older Student Option: Survival Scenerio(5-10 minutes)Provide a 3 x 5 index card and a pen for each student.

Distribute an index card and pen to each student. Direct everyone to consider what three items they would take to a desertisland in order to survive and to write those three items on their cards. Once everyone has made a list, say: Of course, you’d


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have a greater chance of survival on this desert island if you weren’t alone. Now, lead students to partner up with oneother person in the group with whom they’d like to combine lists in order to have a better chance of survival. Invite a fewpairs to share why they chose to partner with each other. Then, say: American culture prides individualism, but when itcomes to matters of great importance, most of us recognize we can benefit from the help of others. Today we willsee why we must rely on God in order to live faithfully in this world.

Teaching Plan: Explore ActivitiesAll activity sheets are at the end of this printable lesson

Interactive Key Study: Fruitful Reliance(15–20 minutes) Provide a dry erase board and markers. Distribute the Key Study worksheet and pens.

Enlist a student to read John 15:1–11. Direct students to count how many times the word “abide” occurs in this passage.(Depending upon the translation, “abide” or “remain” could be used.) Explain that Jesus spoke these words to His disciples atthe Last Supper as part of His final message to them while He was with them. Ask: According to the repetition and thetiming of His message, what was Jesus’ primary message in this passage? (To abide in Him. No matter what happens,to remain in Him.) Emphasize that Jesus’ metaphor of a vine gives us a great picture of why and how we abide in Him.

1. By abiding in Christ, we fulfill God’s plan that we bear much fruit. (John 15:1–3).

Direct students to focus on verses 1–3. Invite students to describe the relationship God has with the branches. (He is thecaretaker.) Ask: What is God’s purpose in performing the tasks of cutting away and pruning the branches? (So thebranches will produce more fruit.) Prompt students to give examples of "fruit" in a Christian's life. Ask: Considering therole God plays in the life of the branches, what can we determine about the purpose of the branches? Encouragestudents to share answers. Point out that the branches exist to produce fruit for the vine and vinedresser.

Ask: In caring for a garden, why do you think the work of pruning is necessary? Indicate that pruning actuallyencourages the production of fruit because it clears away unnecessary weight and rot, among other things. Say: Bypurposefully and intentionally pruning us, God carries out His plan in our lives to make us more fruitful as weabide in Christ.

Remind students of the story David tells of Raden, a seminary graduate in Indonesia. While sharing Christ with an unreachedvillage, the local witch doctor invited Raden, a former mixed martial arts fighter, to a fight. Raden recounts that God told himthat He now fights for Raden. Almost immediately, the witch doctor died in front of many villagers. God had pruned Radenfrom having security in fighting to finding security in God (pp. 43–45).

2. By abiding in Christ, we show God’s glory as we bear much fruit. (John 15:4-8).

Read verses 4-8 again. Note that even unbelievers carry on their everyday tasks without having a relationship with Christ.Ask: What does Jesus mean when He says we can do nothing without Him? Encourage students to discuss theiranswers. Emphasize that the only way a branch (person) can be spiritually productive is when he/she abides in Christ. Ask:How does Jesus describe our abilities without Him? (We can do nothing.) Point out that because we produce fruit whenwe abide in Him, we must understand how to abide in Christ.

Draw a circle on the board. Write “Me” inside it. Explain that Jesus said we abide in Him and He abides in us. Ask:According to these verses, how could we illustrate abiding in Christ with this circle? Allow students a moment toshare their ideas. After a moment, draw a larger circle around the “me” circle. Write “Jesus” on it. Then, draw a smallercircle inside the “me” circle. Write “Jesus” inside it. Explain the word “abide” means “to be present in continually.” Point outthat the idea of a continual relationship means we are abiding in Him daily and continuing that relationship with Him.Emphasize that He abides in us when we are putting His word in our lives and letting the Holy Spirit empower us to live forHim.

Ask: How can we tell if we are abiding in Christ according to these verses? (We will be producing spiritual fruit.)Emphasize that when we abide in Christ, His mission becomes our mission becuase He surrounds us and fills us. Explain howthis context of pursuing His mission while relying on His power in our lives is where the truth of God giving us whatever weask comes into play. Point out that when our purpose is fulfilling God’s mission, He will give us whatever we need tocomplete it. Ask: Like we discussed earlier, if the branch has no ability to fulfill God’s mission on its own, who getsthe glory when it does produce fruit? (God.)


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Remind students that David uses George Muller as an illustration of this point. Muller cared for more than ten thousandorphans in his lifetime. He never asked for money or resources to run the orphanage but relied on prayer and God to provide.His purpose for opening the orphanage was so others might see God’s provision and glorify Him (pp. 54-55).

3. By abiding in Christ, we experience God’s love, which brings us joy (John 15:9–11).

Read verses 9–11. Direct students’ attention back to the circles on the board. Invite a student to describe how these circlesgive a picture of how we have joy by abiding in Christ. Emphasize that when we abide in Christ, we receive joy through ourobedience in following Him, and we receive joy because He is living within us. Say: Joy is a great result of ourrelationship with Christ and our dependent life on Him.

Ask: How does the joy we have in God free us up to live radical lives on mission with God? Allow students time toanswer. Point out that when our true joy is in God as a result of abiding in Christ and His love, we are set free from findingjoy in the things of this world. When this is the case, sacrifice and service find a greater place in our lives as we trust God toprovide all we need.

Remind students about David mentioning how much he loves providing for his sons and how this provision shows his love tothem. He parallels this love with the provision of Himself that God gives His children through the Holy Spirit. Through thepower of the Holy Spirit that comes from abiding in Christ, we experience Him (pp. 56-59). Challenge students with thisthought to conclude the Key Study: There is no way to live in relationship with God apart from totaldependence on His presence. So, are you abiding in Him and He in you? 

Master Teacher Key Study: Fruitful Reliance(15–20 minutes) Download the Master Teacher Outline. Distribute the Key Study worksheet and pens.

Use the Master Teacher Outline to teach John 15:1–11. Then, divide learners into small groups to discuss the followingquestions:

According to this passage, what should our attitude be toward “pruning” in our lives?●

Provide examples of pruning in your own lives. What growth / fruit has resulted?●

Why is placing our trust in God’s power instead of our own capabilities so difficult for us?●

What evidence in our lives gives proof that we are following Christ and abiding in Him? ●

What does it look like in our lives to abide in Christ on a daily basis?●

Supplemental Scripture: A Relying Church(7–8 minutes)Provide a dry erase board and markers.

Enlist five students to read the following verses: Acts 2:41; 2:47; 5:14; 11:24; and 13:28. Explain that the context for theseverses is the beginning of the New Testament Church and the way in which the gospel spread from Jerusalem and beyond.Invite students to list all the actions from each verse that concern the numerical growth of the Church. Record their answerson the board as they call them out. (Answers should include “were added,” “the Lord added,” or “were appointed.”) Ask:What is common about all of these verses? Note all of these verbs indicate someone else did the work—neither the workof the disciples nor the faith of the unbelievers added people to the Church. Ask: Looking at all of these verses, Whocontrolled the growth of the Church? (The Lord.) Ask: What does this truth teach us about God’s role in the livesof His people? Encourage students to discuss their answers.

Point out that God is in control and brings all growth, success, and blessings in a person’s life. Say: It had nothing to do


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with trying harder, promising to do better, or being good enough – God did amazing things when His peopletrusted and obeyed Him. Encourage students to discuss how this truth contrasts or compares with American culture, evenchurch culture. Allow students to discuss for a few minutes. Conclude by emphasizing that every good thing comes from Godand He alone is worthy of getting all glory.

Video Option: Dead to Self(7–10 minutes)Provide the “Session 3” video and the means with which to view it. Also provide a dry erase board and markers.

Show the “Session 3” video to your group. Lead students to contrast a life lived for self and a life lived for Christ by creatinglists on the board of qualities of each type of life. Say: When we live fully for Christ, only then do we discover the lifeGod desires for us. This is the best life we could possibly live. So, it actually benefits us to “give up” living forourselves in order to “gain” living for Christ instead. Challenge students to understand that the Christian life doesn’tleave room for a “both/and” scenario. We can either live for ourselves or live for Christ.

Teaching Plan: Transform ActivitiesAll activity sheets are at the end of this printable lesson

Younger Student Option: Abiding in 3D(8–10 minutes)Provide printed worksheets or a blank sheet of paper and pens.

Ask if anyone has seen a 3D movie. Explain that the fun of a 3D movie is that it brings certain things out in new and excitingways. Ask: How have you seen what it means to abide in a new or exciting way today? Discuss. Clarify that you wantstudents to leave with a clear picture of what it really means to abide in Christ. Say: Let’s look at abiding in 3D: aDecision… to Dwell with… and Depend on God fully.

Instruct students to divide their paper into 3 columns. In the first column, ask students to write down when they first decidedto trust Christ with their lives. Allow for students to briefly share any stories about their personal salvation experience. (Ifstudents have never decided to trust Jesus, ask them if they are honestly still trying to live in their own ability for their ownpurposes.)

Next, ask: What does it mean to you knowing that you now live for Christ and that He lives in you? Emphasize theawesome promise that He will never leave us and that we have His power in us! Briefly discuss specific examples of whatthat means in day-to-day life.

Finally, ask: How are you relying on your own plans and abilities? Is there anything you feel like God can’t handleor any situation in which you have never thought about how God could work? Discuss. Write down ways you cantrust God in these areas of your life(8–10 minutes)Provide a blank sheet of paper and pens.

Ask if anyone has seen a 3D movie. Explain that the fun of a 3D movie is that it brings certain things out in new and excitingways. Ask: How have you seen what it means to abide in a new or exciting way today? Discuss. Clarify that you wantstudents to leave with a clear picture of what it really means to abide in Christ. Say: Let’s look at abiding in 3D: aDecision… to Dwell with… and Depend on God fully.

Instruct students to divide their paper into 3 columns. In the first column, ask students to write down when they first decidedto trust Christ with their lives. Allow for students to briefly share any stories about their personal salvation experience. (Ifstudents have never decided to trust Jesus, ask them if they are honestly still trying to live in their own ability for their ownpurposes.)

Next, ask: What does it mean to you knowing that you now live for Christ and that He lives in you? Emphasize theawesome promise that He will never leave us and that we have His power in us! Briefly discuss specific examples of whatthat means in day-to-day life.

Finally, ask: How are you relying on your own plans and abilities? Is there anything you feel like God can’t handleor any situation in which you have never thought about how God could work? Discuss. Write down ways you can


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trust God in these areas of your life.

Older Student Option: Omni-Present(10 minutes)Provide printed worksheets or a blank sheet of paper and pens.

Ask: How does it affect your life knowing that God is always with you and will never leave you? Briefly discuss.Explain that students are going to look at abiding in Christ in the past, present, and future. Ask students to share situationsfrom the past in which they experienced God working in or around them. Ask: How does remembering past experiencesstrengthen your faith today? (If students have never experienced God in the past, ask if they are honestly living forthemselves instead of for Him.)

Ask: What are some things you hope to accomplish in the future? (Possible responses may include going to college,getting a job, traveling, getting married, etc.) Allow time for students to share.Ask: In the future, how can you trust God’sleadership in any of these decisions or experiences?

Explain that you want to ask a new question: Which areas of your life do you currently think of as needing help orgrowth? Where do you feel strongest or most capable? Clarify that these don’t have to be limited to “spiritual” parts oflife. Next ask: How do you currently rely on God’s presence in any area of your life? Let students respond. Explain thatin areas of our life where we feel weak or inadequate we often find it easier to look to God for help. However, it is in areaswhere we feel we already excel that we are less likely to look to God. Challenge students to consider how they can better relyon God in every area of their life, bringing the most glory to Him.

Creative Prayer: Inadequate(5 minutes)Provide an index card and pen for each student.

Distribute the index cards and pens to students. Encourage them to write all the ways they feel inadequate to serve God.After a moment, instruct them to flip their card over and write the various ways in which they can now see their need forrelying on God. Explain that God is greater than all of their shortcomings. Invite students to look at their cards as theysilently thank God for using them in their weakness to make his great power known. Close by praying for students to trustthe powerful presence of God in their daily lives.


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Copyright © The Navigators, 2011. All rights reserved. Permission is granted for reproduction only for the study ofStudent Life Bible Study curriculum by a licensed church during the licensed year. No online or other duplication is permitted.

Follow along with your leader by FIlling in the blanks. Use the space provided to take notes.


Follow along with your leader by FIlling in the blanks. Use the space provided to take notes.

1. By abiding in Christ, we ______________ God’s ______________ that we bear much

______________ (John 15:1–3).

2. By abiding in Christ, we ______________ God’s ______________ as we bear much

______________ (John 15:4-8).

3. By abiding in Christ, we ______________ God’s ______________, which brings us

______________ (John 15:9–11).

FRUITFUL RELIANCE

Copyright © The Navigators, 2011. All rights reserved. Radical: Student Session 3, Master Teacher Outline, Page 1 Permission is granted for reproduction only for the study of Radical Bible Study curriculum by a licensed church during the licensed year. No online or other duplication is permitted.

Master Teacher Outline FRUITFUL RELIANCE (15–20 minutes, easy set-up) Use this outline and the Biblical Commentary to prepare to share the truths of this passage with learners. Introduction: Only through abiding in Christ are we able to live the life of joy-filled obedience and mission that God intends for His children. Our culture says: “You have the power inside of you to be whoever you want to be and do whatever you want to do.” This statement clearly describes the idea of the American Dream; the problem is that it simply isn’t true. While many seek to be self-sufficient and independent, God does not intend for His children to live that way. In fact, apart from Christ, true life is impossible. Illustration: David notes the battle for Jericho was only won with God’s power. The Israelites’ defeat of an entire city and army by marching around the city wall, led by priests and trumpets, was a victory only God could bring about. The Israelites simply obeyed His words and relied on Him to accomplish the great task (pp. 47–48). 1. By abiding in Christ, we fulfill God’s plan that we bear much fruit. (John 15:1–3).

• Jesus stated that God is in control of tending and maintaining the welfare of the vine. • God ensures branches are producing fruit by removing dead branches or dying parts of branches.

Illustration: David tells the story of Raden, a seminary graduate in Indonesia. While sharing Christ with an unreached village, the local witch doctor challenged him. Raden, a former mixed martial arts fighter, recalled God telling him that He now fought for him. Almost immediately, the witch doctor died in front of many villagers. God had pruned Raden from trust in his own strength to reveal God’s power (pp. 43-45). 2. By abiding in Christ, we show God’s glory as we bear much fruit. (John 15:4-8).

• Jesus emphasized branches can only bear fruit by being a part of the vine. His followers could do nothing for God without Him.

• Jesus clearly stated a false follower would be thrown out because of lack of fruit, but true followers are aligned with God’s Word in such a way that their requests of God are granted.

• Jesus pointed out the evidence of discipleship is fruitfulness, which glorifies God.

Illustration: George Muller cared for more than ten thousand orphans in his lifetime. He never asked for money or resources to run the orphanage but relied on prayer, trusting God to provide. Muller’s purposes for opening the orphanage were that others might see God’s provision and then glorify Him (pp. 54–55). 3. By abiding in Christ, we experience God’s love, which brings us joy (John 15:9–11).

• The way in which we abide in Him is through obedience to His commandments. • Jesus stated that abiding in Him results in His joy and love being given to His followers.

Illustration: David mentions how much he loves providing for his sons and how this provision shows his love to them. He parallels this love with the provision of Himself that God gives His children through the Holy Spirit. Through the power of the Holy Spirit that comes from abiding in Christ, we experience Him (pp. 56–59). Conclusion: We can lead lives of radical sacrifice and service with a sure confidence that God will always provide everything we need to accomplish His purposes as we abide in Him. Abiding in Christ is the only way to live a fruitful life; we are powerless without Him. Any attempt to accomplish His mission in our own power is to be satisfied with a life of powerless mediocrity. By abiding in Him, we live in His ability to accomplish His mission and we thereby experience His joy in our lives.


3D3D3DABIDING 3D

a Decision TO DWELL WITH AND DEPEND ONGOD FULLY

So what does it look like to “abide” in Christ?


Omni-PresentThe PAST The PRESENT The FUTURE

RadicalTeenStudy_BeginningattheEndofOurselves

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