Weekly Faith Focus
Greetings friends,
I ask that as we begin our spiritual journey together we begin to take some time daily (if you are not already) to read the Scripture and pray. I thought it would be beneficial for us to focus on the same passage of Scripture for the week. This week, we will focus on Sunday’s texts (See below) If you were not present in worship on Sunday and have not yet watched it, I encourage you to do so. The Scripture used on Sunday was John 15:1-17. John is one of the four Gospels, but is written differently than the other three, which are regarded as synoptic Gospels, as they are closely related to each other. The Gospel of John was written by John, the apostle-one of the twelve original disciples of Jesus. This passage is part of Jesus’ farewell discourse. It begins in chapter 13 with Jesus and the disciples in the upper room- where Jesus washed the disciple’s feet and the Passover meal was used to convey the “new covenant,” (which we now celebrate as Holy Communion). The very last thing said in chapter 14 was “let us leave.” Jesus and the eleven disciples (Judas had already taken off) headed toward the Garden of Gethsemene and this is the message Jesus gave.
Format-this is a repeat from every week, and will be consistently present for anyone new and as a reminder for all. It is listed at the bottom for review and for anyone who is new to this exercise. Please remember that it is a suggestion. There is no pressure to do it in the format suggested, to do everything on the days that are listed, or to even to answer all the questions. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you. If one question takes up the time because you are moved in your spirit, then stay with it. The idea of this it to spend some intentional time with the Scriptures, in the presence of God, and in prayer and reflection- in whatever way that works for you!
Scripture:
John 15:1-17 (NIV)
(Jesus told his disciples) “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8 This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
Other Scriptures referenced:
Galatians 5:22-23a
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control.
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Luke 7:36-50 (story of Jesus being anointed by a “sinful” woman, highlighting vv. 36-39, 47)
36 When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, he went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. 37 A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. 38 As she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
39 When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner.”
40 Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.”
“Tell me, teacher,” he said.
41 “Two people owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii,[c] and the other fifty. 42 Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he forgave the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?”
43 Simon replied, “I suppose the one who had the bigger debt forgiven.”
“You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
44 Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. 46 You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. 47 Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.”
48 Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”
49 The other guests began to say among themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?”
50 Jesus said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
DAILY QUIET TIME WITH GOD:
Monday: v.1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener”- Jesus said he was the true, or genuine, vine- why do you think he used the word “true”? Consider that throughout the Old Testament the people of Israel were referred to as a vine or vineyard- sometimes in a positive sense and sometimes in a negative sense (Psalm 80:8-16, Isaiah 5:1-7, Jeremiah 2:21, Hosea 10:1). What is the impact of that statement with understanding who Jesus is? What does that mean for us? “My Father is the gardener” (or vinedresser, or even farmer)- what does the imagery of God the Father in that role reveal about his character? How does the Father’s character relate to Jesus as the vine? V.2a “He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit”- in this analogy, what would be the spiritual state of someone if they were bearing no fruit? The Greek term for “cut off” is airó, which can also be translated as raise, lift up, take away, and remove. Which makes the most sense to you and why? What does that mean about relationship and responsibility with God? “While every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful” “He prunes” also means “he cleans”- what relationship would this have with sin? How would getting rid of sin encourage even more production of fruit? Is there anything else besides sin that God may want to prune from someone so they could bear more fruit? Ask God to reveal to you the fruit that you have been bearing. Ask God if there is anything within you that needs to be pruned. Pray for God to do that pruning- even if it is painful, not doing it will eventually be more painful. Thank God for his love and care. “You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you”- imagine the Word of God washing you clean!
Tuesday: “Remain in me”- some versions may read “abide in me.” Take a moment and count how many times that word (remain/abide) is used in this passage. Repeated phrases are used to highlight a point. V.4b “No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain on the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.” Based on this, along with the repeated term (remain/abide) what is/are the point (s) that Jesus is trying to make? Why? Compare to v.5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” “Apart from me you can do nothing”- Consider this for a moment. How often have you tried to do something without Jesus? Ask God to show you any times when you tried to do something without Jesus. Was there a time when you tried again with Jesus? What happened? What changed? Ask God if there is anything in your life that you need to stop trying to do alone and begin leaning on and being guided and fueled by Jesus. Ask God about any things you tried to do alone- what was the root of that decision? Is healing or repentance is needed?
Wednesday: v.6 “If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned.” What are your thoughts on this? How does this make you feel? Does it inspire any change? V.7 “If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” Without looking closely, this may seem like a magic wand- a way to get whatever we ask for. A closer look reveals that remaining in Jesus and his words remaining in you means that you would be in God’s will. Therefore, whatever you ask/will be done would be something that is already asking for what God wants, and that is bearing fruit. Consider your prayer life- how much would you say is done from the context of “remaining in Jesus,” and his “words in you”? “All of this is for God’s glory.” How does this make you feel? How is God glorified by us bearing fruit? How does it reveal you to be a disciple of Jesus? What is God calling you to?
Thursday: v.9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love” Describe the love that Jesus has for you. Take some time and dwell upon and in his love… maybe play some worship music. “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love.” Relate that to v. 12, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” The word “love” throughout this passage is agape in Greek. Unlike eros for romantic or sexual love or philia for brotherly love or storge for love of parents for children, agape is morally pure, sacrificial, selfless, and is best shown by Jesus on the cross. What then do you believe Jesus is saying? What is the expectation? How does that make you feel? Ask God if there is any area in your life, or with anyone in particular, where you need to grow in agape love. V.11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” Consider if you have experienced the joy of the Lord- how would you describe it? How is it different than being “happy”? If you have not experienced the joy of the Lord, or not in a while, take some time to pray. Ask God what the root cause is. Ask God to fill you with his joy! What do you believe Jesus meant by “your joy may be complete”?
Friday: v. 13 “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” Beyond this being in reference to those who have been willing to give their life, or have actually given their life, in service to others (which this certainly applies to!), consider this also applying to our attitude. What would this kind of love look like? Live like? How often would you consider that you are living with this sort of attitude? Ask God to show you where you need to grow. V.14 “You are my friends if you do what I command”- we can often think of Jesus as Lord and Savior, but how often do we think about Jesus as our friend? Consider the hymn, “What a friend we Have in Jesus,” and the contemporary song, “Friend of God.” What does having Jesus as a friend mean to you? Consider the word “IF” in this statement- instead of the idea that Jesus no longer calls us friends if we make a mistake and do not follow Jesus’ commands, but rather that one of the ways that we show that we are Jesus’ “friend” is that we follow his commands. V.15 “I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you”- wow! This continues with us today, not only that we have Jesus’ teachings through the Bible, but that we have the “mind of Christ,” revealed by the Holy Spirit. We are given the permission and ability to know God’s will, direction, purpose, etc. through our relationship with Christ. If you are struggling with something in your life, take some time and ask God about it. Then listen as God speaks into your heart, mind, and life.
Saturday: V.16 “You did not choose me, but I chose you”- before you were even born God chose you! Why- because he loves you! How does that make you feel? “And appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit- fruit that will last”- describe fruit that will last. Why and how would it last? Recall again that we bear fruit by remaining, or abiding, in Jesus Christ. Ask God to reveal to you your current “appointment.” Ask for details, direction, etc. Pay attention when something comes to mind, in a brief thought or image, and talk to God more about it. “And so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” Again, this is not a magic wand to get our own wants, but rather an opportunity to be asking in God’s will. “In my name,” in the name of Jesus- by his authority given to us by the power of his blood that was shed on the cross for us. When we say “in Jesus’ name” we are stating our belief that this is what Jesus would want, and it also implies we have a relationship with him. No magic formula, but instead a grace-filled opportunity to glorify God. V.17 “This is my command: Love each other.” Yes. This. Ask God to be even more filled with his everlasting love so that you have even more to share!
Other items:
Responsive Reading
Leader: Creator God, Gardener of our being
People: You planted Your love within us
L: As we offer ourselves fully to You
P: Your Spirit prunes us with Your Word
L: You shine Your light upon our hearts
P: Illuminating any darkness within
L: You shower down living water
P: Quenching our thirsty souls
L: Your Spirit breathes into our lives
P: That we may grow and flourish
All: Producing a harvest of Your love!
Unison Prayer:
Giving God, our True Vine,
You are the One who knows our hearts
Where we need to be shaped to grow
Cutting back and trimming our lives for Your glory
Show us, fill us, lead us, we pray
So we may reap the peaceful reward of a righteous life
Help us to always trust in You
To abide in Your generous love forever. Amen.
Methodist General Rules
John Wesley formed faith communities, called Methodist Societies and gave them these three rules (GENERAL RULES) for helping them live out their faith in the real world:
-
- First: do no harm, by avoiding evil of every kind (PRUNING)
- Second: do good, “of every possible sort, and as far as possible, to ALL;” (BEARING FRUIT- LOVING OTHERS)
- Third: practice “the ordinances of God,” – engage in all the practices that draw us closer to Jesus, spiritual practices such as fasting, prayer, Bible reading, worship, and the Lord’s Supper….. Now it is said STAY in LOVE with GOD
Song Lyrics:
O Blessed Spring TFWS #2076
O blessed spring, where word and sign
embrace us into Christ the Vine:
here Christ enjoins each one to be
a branch of this life-giving Tree.
Through summer heat of youthful years,
uncertain faith, rebellious tears,
sustained by Christ’s infusing rain,
the boughs will shout for joy again.
When autumn cools and youth is cold,
when limbs their heavy harvest hold,
then through us, warm, the Christ will move
with gifts of beauty, wisdom, love.
As winter comes, as winters must,
we breathe our last, return to dust;
still held in Christ, our souls take wing
and trust the promise of the spring.
Christ, holy Vine, Christ, living Tree,
be praised for this blest mystery:
that word and water thus revive
and join us to your Tree of Life.
Build My Life (Pat Barrett)
Worthy of every song we could ever sing
Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for you
Oh, we live for you
Jesus, the Name above every other name
Jesus, the only One who could ever save
Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe
We live for you
Holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
Show me who You are and fill me
With Your heart and lead me
In your love to those around me
I will build my life upon Your love
It is a firm foundation
I will put my trust in You alone
And I will not be shaken
Holy, there is no one like You
There is none beside You
Open up my eyes in wonder
Show me who You are and fill me
With Your heart and lead me
In your love to those around me
O How I Love Jesus UMH #170
- There is a name I love to hear,
I love to sing its worth;
it sounds like music in my ear,
the sweetest name on earth.
Refrain:
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
O how I love Jesus,
because he first loved me!
2. It tells me of a Savior’s love,
who died to set me free;
it tells me of his precious blood,
the sinner’s perfect plea.
(Refrain)
3. It tells of one whose loving heart
can feel my deepest woe;
who in each sorrow bears a part
that none can bear below.
(Refrain)
Format (this is a repeat from last week, and will be consistently present for anyone new and as a reminder for all):
Find a quiet place and time to focus on the Word, and to hear from God through it. It doesn’t have to be long, for some it will be longer than others. I encourage you, if possible, to do this practice in the morning. You will then find that God brings it to your mind throughout your day.
For greater impact I encourage you to get some paper and a pen and journal daily what thoughts and impressions God brings to mind. Write out also your own thoughts and your own prayers, making sure to leave space within your time for God’s response. Listen intently, and notice what rises up within you- what you are thinking, feeling, memories that arise and ideas that spring up. It may be something God would want you to address within yourself and/or with others. It may be something God is inspiring you to begin or end. God’s possibilities are infinite! After time, it is often beneficial to go back and read what you have written, and notice how God has been moving in your life (and praise God for it!).
Begin with prayer, quieting yourself within and opening up to hearing what God would like to reveal to you. Praise God for who he is, for loving you, being with you, and more. Then ask God to speak to you; to open your heart and mind to hear his message. (if you are journaling, you could write out the prayer)
Read the Scripture passage over twice; once as a read through, and the second time slowly, meditatively. Notice what God illuminates for you. Notice what words or ideas are “jumping off the page at you,” impacting you from the Scripture. Ask God why that is being highlighted for you. What is God saying to you? What is God asking you to say, do, change, pray about, etc.? What is the application for my life today? **Most importantly- what am I going to do about it? (If you are journaling you could write it all out, which reinforces it in a greater way)
I have put together some daily questions based upon the Scripture. You may use those, but also feel free to deviate away from it if God is leading you there. They are simply offered to prompt contemplation with God. There is much more in this passage, feel free to delve in more!
At the end of your time pray again. I recommend praying throughout, but the ending prayer would include praise, thanking God for revelation, and asking for the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal, bringing to mind God’s will. Ask God for the courage, empowerment, and opportunity to do what you have determined God is asking you to do.
Leave a Reply