From Believers to Disciples
Monday, January 29, 2007
From Believers to Disciples Calendar
Daily Bible Study Menu
A note about online study
“Study to show yourself approved by God …” 2 Timothy 2:15a KJV
Prayer Focus for Today
Pray that the Holy Spirit will lead us into genuine fellowship with one another in 2007, and that as we draw closer to one another in the Lord, that others will want to join us as well!
Heavenly Father, Thank You for the gift of fellowship with You and with other believers. As I focus this day on the Holy Spirit’s leading us into genuine fellowship with one another in 2007, I pray that You will pour out Your Spirit powerfully, that every person associated with New Life will seek fellowship based on an abiding connection with Jesus, and that as we love one another as Jesus commanded that others will join in the “family”! This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
God’s Word Today: John 15:1-17
[Jesus said,] 1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3You have already been pruned for greater fruitfulness by the message I have given you. 4Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful apart from me.
5“Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6Anyone who parts from me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7But if you stay joined to me and my words remain in you, you may ask any request you like, and it will be granted! 8My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings great glory to my Father.
9“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you. 13And here is how to measure it—the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends. 14You are my friends if you obey me. 15I no longer call you servants, because a master doesn’t confide in his servants. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17I command you to love each other.
From Today’s Reading, a Believer …
The first necessity with regard to fellowship as followers of Jesus is “pruning.” What does it mean to be “pruned” by God?
Let’s Go Deeper in Our Walk with Jesus
After reading today’s Scripture, what do you see as one necessity for moving from believers to disciples?
From Today’s Reading, a Disciple of Jesus Will …
What actions do you see as being necessary for participating in God’s pruning in your life? List them below, and make a plan to start receiving God’s pruning!
Ministry, Mission, Outreach, Service Opportunities to Consider
Next Sunday, February 4th following worship, you will have the opportunity to hear about the Community and Family Missions Trip to Guadalupe, Mexico this summer. (Dates of the trip are June 23-30, 2007) This trip provides opportunities for physical labor in constructing the Tapestries of Life orphanage, which will soon house as many as 500 orphans from the surrounding region. It also provides the opportunity for a truly “cross-cultural” missions experience as we are exposed daily to the Mexican culture and language. If you’d like to know more about this year’s trip, join us after worship on February 5th!
My Journal
Note any thoughts from Through the Bible or the Daily Reading here:
God’s “Pruning”…
Jesus tells us that He is the “vine,” and we are the “branches,” that unless we remain in Him we will not “bear fruit.” As those who are seeking to move from believers to disciples, this intimate connection with Jesus is the literal “lifeline” for our health and growth in Him. Part of the growth process is “pruning.” Pruning is the removal of that which is dead or diseased in our lives. Undoubtedly the process isn’t always fun, but it is absolutely necessary. Pruning may involve God’s removal of certain thoughts, words or actions from our lives; or it may involve removing certain people or situations that cause us temptation. In the end the process of removal actually results in gain and growth, as we become more fully devoted followers of Jesus! So, let’s give God the freedom to prune us today that we may be closer to Jesus and one another!