23-0917p - Detailed Summary

The session continues the study of Jesus' statement "I am the true vine" from John 15:8.

Discusses the glory given to God through disciples bearing much fruit, reflecting on what kind of fruit Christians are expected to produce.

Introduces the law of biogenesis, where like begets like, applying this to the fruit Christians should bear, mirroring the fruit Jesus bore.

Jesus' obedience to God as an example of fruit-bearing, highlighted through scripture in John 8:28-29.

Emphasizes Jesus' revelation of God’s will and His obedience as a model for Christians.

Jesus no longer calls His followers servants but friends, as He shares everything He has heard from the Father with them (John 15:15).

Explains that accepting Jesus as Savior grants access to the mind and spirit of God, enabling understanding and obedience to His word.

Discusses worshiping God in spirit and truth as per Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman.

References Romans 8:1-2, 8:14, and Galatians 5:18 to illustrate freedom from the law through the Spirit, leading to true worship and sonship in God.

Lists the fruits of the Spirit from Galatians 5:22-23 as the kind of fruit Christians should produce.

Explains that living by these fruits means not being under the law, with grace covering sins when confessed, contrasting with unrepentant sin.

Relates John the Baptist’s call for repentance and fruit-bearing to Jesus' and Old Testament teachings on the necessity of producing good fruit.

Discusses the varying times at which individuals might bear fruit, using natural analogies from Psalms and Proverbs.

Connects Malachi’s prophecy about Elijah with John the Baptist’s role in preparing for Jesus, describing Jesus as the Angel of the Covenant and owner of the temple.

Concludes with the role of discipleship in spreading the Gospel, defining a disciple as one who follows and adheres to Jesus' teachings, aiming to carry His mission to the world.

Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross atones for humanity’s sins, reconciling mankind with God, which is the foundation for becoming a disciple.

Becoming a disciple involves accepting Christ’s love and sacrifice, forsaking personal ways for His teachings, which include loving God, loving neighbors, and spreading the Gospel.

Disciples adopt a Christian worldview, viewing life through the lens of Jesus’s teachings and judging actions against God’s word.

Jesus is described as both a teacher and preacher, roles that disciples should also take on.

Matthew 11:1 shows Jesus instructing His disciples before going out to teach and preach, indicating a model for discipleship involving personal instruction and public proclamation.

Jesus’s method included small group teaching in homes and public preaching, preparing followers for ministry and the establishment of His church.

Post-resurrection, Jesus commissions His disciples in Matthew 28:18-20 to make more disciples, baptize them, and teach them His commandments, with the assurance of His perpetual presence.

This command is for all generations, emphasizing the ongoing role of discipleship in spreading the Gospel.

Disciples are believers whose lives are transformed by God’s word, leading them to actively practice and share what they’ve learned.

Discipleship includes making an effort to live according to Christ’s teachings and sharing this with others through influence in everyday interactions.

The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:14-16 calls disciples to be a light to the world, letting their good deeds glorify God and potentially lead others to Him.

Ephesians 2:10 explains that Christians are created for good works, not saved by them, but they perform them out of love and gratitude for Christ.

Doing good works is another form of bearing fruit for God, glorifying Him and potentially drawing others to faith.

Failing to do known good works is considered sin, referencing James’s teachings on action corresponding with faith.

The session concludes with an invitation for prayer requests and a note that the lesson will continue in a couple of weeks.