Sometimes the entire plant is referred to as the vine with a trunk and shoots. The root of the trunk goes deep into the ground and supplies water and nutrients to the vine. Under ideal circumstances, the plant receives plenty of water early in the growth process followed by a long dry spell. During this dry spell, the trunk accesses the root to provide water to the shoots. The shoots wouldn’t live very long separated from the trunk. In the Bible, Jesus calls the trunk “the vine” and the shoots he calls “branches”. Jesus uses this physical relationship of the vine to the branches to show the significance of a relationship with him. Our life can have deeper meaning and greater purpose beyond the ways the world measures success.
Bible Reading
Jesus said, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit, apart from me you can do nothing.”
John 15:5The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
Galatians 5:22-23
Discussion
- Of what importance is the vine to the branches?
- What would happen if a branch becomes detached from the vine?
- How does the picture that Jesus is the vine and we are branches express the importance of a relationship to him?
- What could Jesus have meant when he said “apart from me, you can do nothing”?
- As we are connected to the vine, how does he nourish us and give us life so that we bear fruit?
Word List
- health benefits – the result of something that improves our physical health
- nutrients – substances used by a living organism to survive, grow and reproduce
- productive – achieving or producing a significant amount or result
- fulfilling – providing happiness or satisfaction
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