Preparation for Wednesday October 28, 2015

After digging into what it means to "abide" in the true Vine that is Jesus Christ, this time we are going to focus our study on what it means to "bear fruit".

1.  First thing to consider--to what is the term fruit referring?  A concordance or word-search might help you identify what Jesus has in mind when He says "it is to My Father's glory that you bear much fruit".

2.  Now pick any one of the kinds of fruit you identified above--and think about the difference between "bearing" (carrying) that fruit and "producing" that fruit.  

3.  If you will think this through, you will get at one key aspect of what Jesus wants, i.e. for us to bear fruit as opposed to produce it.  Why to you think it might be important to recognize this distinction?

See you on Wednesday,
Kevin

Preparation for Wednesday October 21st, 2015

Continue to read John 15:1-9 and spend time meditating upon it.  

Once we understand who Jesus is talking to (this is what we worked on last time) we can begin to work on what He is talking about.  So two things to think about:

1.  What does it mean to "abide" in Christ?  Jot down everything you can think of.  

2.  What does it mean to "bear fruit"?  Again, write down everything that comes to mind.  

See you on Wednesday.

Kevin

Preparation for Wednesday October 14th, 2015

This week we will be privileged to hear from Kris Klebs who is back from extensive missionary travels to the Philippines, Indonesia, and Senegal.  We look forward to hear what the Lord has been doing, the future of her ministry efforts, and how we might pray for her.  Please join us.  

In His grace,
Kevin

Preparation for Wednesday October 7th, 2015

We will turn our attention to John chapter 15 this Wednesday, as part our study of the "Upper Room" discourse.  This is an immensely rich and deep portion of God's Word, and I suspect we will be here for some time.  In order to help prepare you, let me repost something I posted a few weeks ago (prematurely as it turned out):

Read the first 9 verses of Jn 15.  Two pieces of analysis for you to consider:

1.  Who are:
  - The Vinedresser (gardener)?
  - The Vine?
  - The branches?

2.  This one is more difficult--who are:
  - the branches that bear no fruit?
  - the branches who bear some fruit?
  - the branches who bear much (vs 8) fruit? 

See you on Wednesday.
Kevin

Preparation for Wednesday 30 September 2015

There is no preparation for this Wednesday's Bible study.  Come and hear new member and retired pastor Ken Fahl share from his years of ministry.  Check back next week in order to be ready for our study on 7 October--we'll be getting into John chapter 15.

You'll be blessed by hearing what Ken has to say,

Kevin

Preparation for Wednesday 23 Sep Bible Study

We should be getting into John chapter 15 this week.  Read the first 9 verses.  Two pieces of analysis for you to consider:

1.  Who are:
  - The Vinedresser (gardener)?
  - The Vine?
  - The branches?

2.  This one is more difficult--who are:
  - the branches that bear no fruit?
  - the branches who bear some fruit?
  - the branches who bear much (vs 8) fruit? 

See you on Wednesday.
Kevin

Preparation for Wednesday September 16, 2015

No prep for this coming Wednesday, as after our prayer time, we will hold our quarterly Business Meeting.  We will be back in John the following week.  Look for a preparatory assignment next week.

See you Wednesday,
Kevin

Preparation for Wednesday September 9th

Sorry I am so late in getting this up this week.  I guess when my calendar reminds me on Thursday I should just listen to it!

We had some very good discussion last week on the topic of "works", but I believe there is still more work to be done.  So ready Ephesians 2:8-9, and define the word "works".  

  - What exactly does it mean?

  - What are we not saved through them?

  - Now back to my original question, is showing our love for God through obedience a "work"?

See you Wednesday night.
Kevin

Preparation for Wednesday September 2nd

I suspect we will finish chapter 14 this week, and there are some interesting things to investigate in the closing verses.

1.  If you take verses 17, 20, 23--what does it seem to tell you about the members of the Trinity residing within the believer?

2.  Verse 28 raises two interesting things for you to think about:  
1) Why should we be glad that Jesus is returning to the Father; and 2) What does Jesus mean when He says the Father is "greater"?

3.  How does the Christian learn from Jesus what obedience, and therefore love, is really all about?

See on you Wednesday.

Kevin

Preparation for Wednesday August 26th 2015

We will be back in John 14 this coming Wednesday.  In order to be prepared, read through the 2nd half of the chapter (verses 15-31) and think through the implications.  I particularly suggest that you look at how many reference you can find to different members of the Trinity residing within the Believer.  All three are there!