“Staying On-Vine with Jesus”

​YEAH! Church - Sunday, July 11, 2021

"Stories of Jesus” – Many people want to go to heaven, but fewer people want to do what is required in order to do so. Jesus taught us that we need to stay connected to Him, in order that we can become like Him—able to love the way He wants us too.
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Today’s Lesson - “Staying On-Vine with Jesus”

Video Story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDlS4otedvY (LifeKids)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEilEfThEjk (PursueGod Kids)

Jesus’ Story – “Parable of the Vine and the Branches”

John 15:1-8, NLT
“I 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. 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 “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. 7 But 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."

Engage:
• A branch needs to be connected to the vine to produce fruit, just like a lamp needs to be plugged in to brighten a room. What kind of fruit does Jesus want His followers to grow? Why is it impossible to do so without His help?
• Jesus also gave a warning to His followers. What will God do with any branch (person) who doesn’t grow God’s fruit of love?
• When we are following Jesus, He tells us that God will also ‘prune’ us. What does that mean?
• Just as a pruned branch can put its energy into growing good fruit, sometimes we need things removed from our lives that prevent us from growing God’s good fruit. Can you think of anything that God might want to ‘prune’ from your life?

Theme verses:
John 15:5 - “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.”
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Prayer - Thank you, God, that you have promised to help us to live in a way that produces good fruit. Please help me to love you and others as much as I should.
~ Pastor Jane