Stay

Read |John 15: 1 - 11|

The call has gone forth. Those who have known Him, and counted Him sweet, have invited you to taste and see. And today, we open our mouths loose our pens and apply our fingers to send one more invitation. We invite you to stay.

Join us as we walk through John 15: 1 - 11 to hear God's invitation to stay--His invitation to be-held continually in His love.  Deepen your engagement by answering the reflection questions in your journal.

Jesus uses the analogy of a fruit bearing vine to describe His relationship with His followers.
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1. Where does He self-identify in this analogy?
2. Jesus states that He is the true Vine.  Why do you think He uses the word, true?
3. Where does He identify His followers in this analogy?

Consider John 15: 2 - 6 and answer the following questions:
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1. What is true of branches that are considered well?
2. What is true of branches that are considered unwell?
3. How does the vinedresser, i.e. the Father respond to the well and unwell branches?
4. How does a branch become and remain well?

Jesus says, "My Father is glorified and honored by this, when you bear much fruit, and prove yourselves to be My [true] disciples." (John 15: 8, AMP).

1. Read Galatians 5: 22 - 23. What fruit is the Father eager to see us bear?
2. Read Philippians 2:13. How does this scripture help you answer the question, "Who is responsible for bearing fruit?"
3. How do you think bearing much fruit shows we are true disciples or followers of Jesus Christ? 
4. To whom is given this proof of our true discipleship?

1. John 15; 7 reads, "If you remain in Me and My words remain in you [that is, if we are vitally united and My message lives in your heart}, ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you." (AMP). What is the message Jesus refers to?

2. Read John 15: 10. What is the way of life of one who has accepted the message of Jesus Christ? How is one sustained in this way? 

1. Read John 15: 7. What is one of the chief benefits of staying?
2. Read 1 John 5: 14 and then reflect on John 15: 7. Why do you think that Jesus makes this promise to those who stay? 

In John 15: 10, Jesus identifies Himself as being an example for the kind of life to which He calls His disciples. He shares that He remains in His Father's love.
1. Read Matthew 6: 9 - 13. How does Jesus, who remains in His Father's, love, pray? What is His approach? What does He request?

2.  Reflect on the content of your prayers. How does it compare to Jesus'? What is your approach? What do you request?

3. Pause and pray for Him to align the desires of your heart with His, to help you to abide in Him, that your prayers are an outflow of His heart for you.

Beloved, thank you for journeying with us through Jesus' invite to be-held in His love continually. If you were encouraged to any measure of peace and joy by the music that accompanied this devotional, we encourage you to support our sister, Lakecia Benjamin by purchasing her album Rise Up.