LESSON2

EmbraceChristsVision
KeyPassages:John15:45;Philippians3:711
ReviewandIntroduction
Lastweek,webeganastudyontheParableoftheVineinJohn15:117.Inthisparable,JesusgaveHis
disciplesanexamplefromnaturethatillustratedhowtheirrelationshipwithHimshouldbe.Jesustaught
thatGodisthegardener,Jesusisthetruevine,andHisfollowersarethebranches.Lastweekslesson
focusedonabelieverspositioninChrist,andhowJohn15illustratesthispositionbecauseGodhas
graftedallbelieversintotheVine.WealsolearnedthatChristcommandedHisfollowersinJohn15:4to
abideinHimsothattheywouldbearfruit.Asweremain(abide)inChristthevine,Heproducesfruitthat
we,thebranches,willbear(demonstrate)ineveryareaofourlives.
UnderstandandObey
OurstudythisweekwillfocusonGodsvisionforourlivestoknowandbecomelikeJesus.Wewillsee
thatinordertoembraceandliveoutthisvision,wemustunderstandandobeythiscommandinJohn15:45
toabideinChrist.Aswesawlastweek,Scriptureteachesthatthiscommanddoesnotpertaintogainingor
losingsalvation.AbelieverspositioninChristiseternallysecure.SohowdoweabideinChristifour
positioninHimissecure?WhatdoesJesusmean?WhatisabidinginChrist?Thatiswhatwewillbeginto
uncoverinScripturethroughoutthislesson.
Beforeyoubegintodaysstudy,leadyourgroupinaquickreview(5minutes)oflastweekslessonto
refreshtheirmemoryandlayafoundationforthosewhodidnotstudyLessonOne.Belowaresome
questionstohelpyoureview.

WhoarethekeycharactersinJohn15:117?
Whoproducesfruit?
Whobearsfruit?
Whatisthedifferenceinproducingandbearingfruit?
WhatdoesitmeanforsomeonetobeinChrist?
WhatisGods(thegardener)roleinfruitbeingproducedintheVineandbornethroughthebranches?
HowdoesHegraftthebranchesintotheVine?

OpeningActivity
ExplaintoyourgroupthatthisweekwearegoingtouncoverGodsvisionforeverybelieverslifeaswe
divedeeperintoChristscommandinJohn15:45toremain(abide)inMeandIwillremain(abide)in
you.Aswelearnedlastweek,abidedoesnotrefertoourposition,becausewearesecureinChristifwe
haveplacedourfaithinHimandsurrenderedourlivestoHislordship.Abidereferstotheintimacyofour
relationshipandfellowshipwithChrist.Itisawordthatcallsbelieverstostayconnectedindeepintimacy
withChrist.
Apracticalwaytoillustratethispointisthemarriagerelationship.Leadyourgroupinadiscussionof
marriage(oraclosefriendshipifmarriagedoesntapplytoyourgroup)usingthefollowingquestions.Be
suretofocusonhowamarriage(orfriendship)isstrengthenedanddeepened.

1) Howwouldyoudescribeahealthymarriage?
2) Doesgoingthroughtheweddingceremonyguaranteeaclose,intimatemarriage?Whyorwhynot?
3) Oncetwopeopleareunitedinmarriage,whatwouldhappeniftheyjuststoppedspendingqualitytime
together?Wouldtheyceasetobemarried?Howwouldtheirrelationshipbeaffected?
4) Whataresomespecificwaysthatpeopledeepenarelationship?
5) Doyouthinkitisimportantthatcouplesremainorabidewithoneanotherinordertogrowintheir
loveforoneanother?Ifso,howdopeopledothispractically?
7) Whichdoyouthinkismoreimportantinamarriage,thethingsyoudoforoneanother,ortheintimacy
anddeepcommunitythatyoubuildtogether?
8) Doyouthinkitispossibletofollowalloftherulesofmarriagebutstillnotbuildadeepandintimate
connection?
9) Doyouthinkbuildingafoundationofintimacyandrelationalonenesswilllikelyleadtobehaviorthat
strengthensthemarriage?
Explaintoyourgroupthatjustasspendingtimetogetherstrengthensamarriageorfriendshipitalso
strengthensyourrelationshipwithChrist.Healthymarriagesgrowovertimeastwopeoplecommunicate
regularlyanddolifetogether,becomingoneineverypartoflife.Thereisnochecklistofthingstodoin
ordertohaveagreatmarriage.ItisthesamewithyourrelationshipwithChrist.Thereisnolistofthingsto
doforJesusthatwillautomaticallybringsomeoneclosertoGod.Itisarelationshipthatgrowsaswe
abideinChristdailylivinglifewithHim.
SpiritualdisciplineslikeBiblestudy,prayer,andbiblicalcommunityarewaystohelpusabideinChrist
butthesethingsinandofthemselvesdonotautomaticallyproducefruitinourlives.Theyareonlytoolsto
helpusgrowinourintimacywithChrist.Remember,Christ(thevine)producesthefruit.Andtheonlyway
wewillbearthatfruitisifweremain(abide)inHim.
OpeningPrayer
BeginyourtimeinstudyofGodsWordbyprayingforyourgroup.PraythatGodwillopentheheartof
everypersonandrevealHimselftoyouallinanewwayasyoustudyanddiscussHisWordtogether.Pray
thattheHolySpiritwillguideyouintothetruthandshowyouallhowtoapplywhatyoulearntoyourlives
inapracticalway.AndpraythatGodwillbeglorifiedthroughyourdiscussiontoday.
KeyStudy
GodsvisionforallbelieversisthatweknowChristintimatelyandexperiencelifetransformationbyHisSpirit
tobecomelikeHim.ThisiswhyChristcommandedHisdisciplesinJohn15:45toremain(abide)inHim
sothattheycouldknowHimmoreeverydayandbecomelikeHim.Romans8:29saysthatitisGodswillthat
everyoneHesavesbeconformedtotheimageofHisSon.
2Corinthians3:1718saysthatChristfollowersreflecttheLordsgloryaswearebeingtransformed
(changedfromtheinsideout)intoChristslikeness.AndRomans12:12commandsbelieverstoofferour
bodiesaslivingsacrificestoGodsothatwewillnolongerbeconformedtotheimageofthisworld,butbe
transformedbytherenewingofourminds.Godswillisclearintheseverses.HewantsthoseHesavesto
looklikeHisSon.

NoticehowalloftheseversesteachthatbeingchangedintotheimageofChristisanongoingprocess,not
anovernightchangethathappenswhenyouplaceyourfaithinChrist.Alsonoticethatbeingtransformedis
somethingthatGodisdoinginus,notsomethingthatwecandoourselves.Romans12:1makesclearagain
thatthebelieversjobisnottoproducethischange,butmerelytorelinquishcontrolandofferourselvesto
theOnewhocanchangeus.DoesntthistruthfitexactlywithJesusparableinJohn15?Wedontproduce
thefruitofchange,weabideintheVineandtheGardenerwillproducethechange,whichwillbeborne
throughourlivesaswecontinuallyofferourselvestoHim.
FirstLearntoAbide
GodsvisionthatweknowChristandbecomelikeHimcannothappenunlesswelearnfirsttoremain
(abide)inthevine(Christ).JesusgaveHisdisciplesthisparableinJohn15asapicturenotonlyoftheir
positioninHim,buttoshowthemhowHewouldproduceHischaracterinandthroughthem.God
receivesgreatgloryaswebear(demonstrate)Hischaracterinourlives,becauseonlyHecanproducethe
lifechangeinusthatshowsHischaractertotheworld.HispowerandpresenceisrevealedasHe
transformsus.
Abide,orremain,isused11timesinthisparable.Mostofthetime,itreferstoourneedtoremainin
acloserelationshipwithChrist.Thewordmeans,tostayconnectedinarelationalsense.Wecannot
knowChristinanintimatewaywithoutabidingwithHim.Justaswesawintheopeningactivitythatour
relationshipswithothersgrowanddeepenwhenwespendtimetogether,soitiswithChrist.
WecanknowaboutChristfromadistance,butwecanonlyknowHisheart,passions,desires,andpurposes
byspendingtimewithHim.AndwecannotliveoutGodsvisiontobecomelikeChristifwedonotknow
Hisheart,passions,desires,andpurposes.SoweseethatabidinginChrististheonlywaytoembrace
Godsvisionforourlives,andthepurposeforwhichwehavebeensavedtobearfruitthroughusforHis
glory.
PaulunderstoodtheimportanceofknowingChristaboveeverythingelse.Hislifeisanexcellentexampleof
whatitmeanstoremain(abide)inChrist.TowardtheendofhislifePaulwroteinPhilippians3:711,But
whateverwastomyprofitInowconsiderlossforthesakeofChrist.Whatismore,Iconsidereverythinga
losscomparedtothesurpassinggreatnessofknowingChristJesusmyLord,forwhosesakeIhavelostall
things.IconsiderthemrubbishthatImaygainChristandbefoundinHim,nothavingarighteousnessof
myownthatcomesfromthelaw,butthatwhichisthroughfaithinChristtherighteousnessthatcomes
fromGodandisbyfaith.IwanttoknowChristandthepowerofHisresurrectionandthefellowshipof
sharinginHissufferings,becominglikeHiminHisdeath,andso,somehow,toattaintotheresurrection
fromthedead.
Inthispassage,weseeaperfectpictureofabidingbecausePaulsfocusisnotondoingcertainreligious
things,butsimplyonknowingChristandbecominglikeHim.AndhereweseethatPaulwantstoknowALL
ofChrist,notjusttheeasyparts.HewantstoknowChristssuffering,becominglikeHiminHisdeath.
WeseePaulsdesiretodietohiswayoflife,andtospendhislifeinapursuittoknowChristandbecome
likeHimineveryway.Thisisabiding.

Usingthecommentaryabove,explaintoyourgroupGodsvisionforeverybelieverslife.Haveyourgroup
turnintheirBibletothefollowingversesassomeonereadseachonealoud.Usingthefollowingquestions,
leadyourgroupinadiscussionofhowtheseversesshowusGodsvisionthatweknowandbecomelike
Christ.
Romans8:29
2Corinthians3:1718
Romans12:12

AccordingtoRomans8:29,whatisGodswillforeverybeliever?

LeaderNote:ThewordpredestinedinthisverseistheGreekwordproorizo.Itisaverbthatmeans,To
ordain;topredetermine;todecidebeforehand.ThewordconformedistheGreekwordsymmorphos.
Itisanadjectivethatmeans,Havingthesameformasanother;fashionedlikeunto.Sharingthese
definitionswithyourgroupmayhelpthemtounderstandwhattheversemeans.

Howdoes2Corinthians3:18describetheprocessofbecominglikeChristinabelieverslife?

LeaderNote:Thewordtransformedinverse18istheGreekwordmetamorphoo.Itisaverbthatmeans,
Tochangeintoanotherform;totransfigure.Thisiswherewegetthewordmetamorphosis,which
describesthechangethatoccursinthecocoonforabutterfly.Sharingthisdefinitionwithyourclassmay
helpthemtounderstandthechangethatisGodsvisionforourlives.Justasacaterpillarischangedinto
anotherforminthecocoon,GodwantsustoabidewithChristtoexperienceaspiritualtransformation.

WhatdoesPaulurgehisbrothersinChristtodoinRomans12:1?
WhatishiscommandtotheminRomans12:2?
Describethepatternoftheworldthatweliveintoday.
Whataresomewaysthatwecanconformtothispattern?
AccordingtoRomans12:2,howarewetransformed?
ThewordrenewingintheGreekmeans,Torenovate;acompletechangeforthebetter.Based
onthisdefinition,howdoessomeonerenewhismind?
Accordingtoallthreeoftheseverses,whatisGodspredeterminedvisionforthelifeofevery
Christfollower?

HaveyourgroupturnintheirBibletoPhilippians3:711andhavesomeonereadthepassagealoudtothe
group.Usingthecommentaryandthefollowingquestions,leadadiscussionoftheseverses.

HowdoesPauldescribehislifeinChristinverses78?
Paulmentionstwodifferentkindsofrighteousnessinverse9.Whataretheyandhowdoeshe
describeeach?
WhichrighteousnessdoesPauldesiretohave?
Whoisthisrighteousnessfromandhowdoesapersongetitaccordingtotheendofverse9?
HowdeeplydoesPauldesiretoknowChristaccordingtoverse10?
IsPaulmorefocusedondeedsforGodoronintimacyinhisrelationshipwithChrist?Howdo
youknow?

HowdotheseversesdemonstrateabidinginChrist?
BasedonwhatyouknowofPaulslife,whatfruitwasbornethroughhislifeasaresultofhis
focusonknowingChrist?
WhatdoesthistellyouabouttheimportanceofintimacyandconstantconnectionwithChrist?

GraftedIn
Inourfirstlesson,wediscussedhowabranchisgraftedintoavinebythegardener.Thisistheexample
giventousbyChristinJohn15:117.Whenabranchisgraftedintoavine,therearetwothingsthatmust
happeninorderforthenewgrafttosurvive.Thefirsttakesplaceinthewood.Thenewgraft(branch)must
shootitslittlerootsintothevine,sothevinecangrowupintothenewgraft.
Thebranchmustgiveupitsindividualidentityandindependenceandbewillingtotakeontheidentityof
thevineasoneorganism.Asthebranchabidesthere,itbecomesonewiththevine.Thereisalsoasecond
processthatmustoccur.Thesapofthevinemustenterthenewbranch.Thevinecanthenusethebranchas
apassagethroughwhichsapcanflowinordertoproducefruit.
WhenChristsaysinJohn15:4,Remain(abide)inMe,andIwillremain(abide)inyou,itisthesametwo
foldprocessthatweseeinavineandbranch.RemaininMereferstoourpartintheprocess.Wehaveto
surrendercontrolandindependence,trustandobeyChrist,detachourselvesfromeverythingelseandshoot
ourrootsdeepintoHim.Aswedothis,ourheartandcharacterarepreparedforthenextpartofJesus
command,andIwillabideinyou.
IntimatelyConnected
NoticeinJohn15:4thattheabideinMecomesbeforetheIwillabideinyou.Remember,thisdoesnot
refertosalvation,buttotheintimacyandcommunityinyourrelationshipwithChrist.TheIwillabidein
youwillnotcomeiftheabideinMeisnotmaintained.Ephesians4:4says,Thereisonebody,andone
Spirit.BeforetheSpiritwillfillusandbearfruitthroughus,thebodymustbeprepared.Thenewgraft
musthavegrownintothevineandbeabidinginitbeforethesapwillflowthroughittoyieldfruit.Aswe
denyourselves,offerourbodiesaslivingsacrificestoGod(Romans12:1)andabideinHim,wewillbeable
toreceivetheIwillabideinyoupromiseofChrist.
SapoftheSpirit
ThesapthatflowsfromtheVinetous,thebranches,isthepoweroftheHolySpirit.InMatthew28:19
20whenJesuscommandedHisdisciplestomakedisciplesofallnations,Hemadethemapromisein
verse20.HepromisedthemthatHewouldbewiththemalways,Eventotheendoftheage.TheHoly
SpiritishowJesuswouldbewiththemalways.Acts1:4tellsusthatChristhadcommandedHisdisciples
togotoJerusalemafterHisascensiontoheavenandwaitforthegiftMyFatherhaspromised,whichyou
haveheardMespeakabout.InJohn14:1617JesussaystoHisdisciples,IwillasktheFather,andHe
willgiveyouanotherCounselortobewithyouforevertheSpiritoftruth.TheworldcannotacceptHim,
becauseitneitherseesHimnorknowsHim.ButyouknowHim,forHeliveswithyouandwillbeinyou.
TheHolySpiritisthesapofthevinethattransformsusintotheimageofthevine(Jesus).Asweabide
inChrist,webecomethepassagewaythroughwhichtheHolySpiritflowstoproducefruitthatis
demonstratedthroughourlives.

Usingthecommentaryaboveandthefollowingquestions,leadyourgroupinadiscussionofthepresenceof
ChristinourlivesthroughtheHolySpirit.Beginbyexplainingthetwofoldprocessofanewgraft
survivinginthevineandhowthisprocessrelatestoJohn15:4.

Accordingtowhatyoulearnedaboutthegraftingprocessinnature,whydoesabideinMecome
beforeandIwillabideinyouinJohn15:4?Whatisthesignificanceofthisorder?
WhataresomepracticalwaysthatbelieversshootrootsdeepintoChristthevineeveryday?

ReadMatthew28:1920.

WhatisChristspromisetoHisdisciplesinverse20ofthispassage?

ReadJohn14:1617.

Accordingtotheseverses,whatdidJesusaskHisFathertodoforHisdisciples?
HowlongwouldtheHolySpiritbewiththem?
Accordingtoverse17,whatwouldtheirrelationshipbelikewiththeSpirit?
WherewouldtheSpiritdwell?
So,howdidChristkeepHispromiseinMatthew28:20tobewithHisdisciplesalways?

ReadActs1:4andActs1:8

AccordingtoActs1:4,whatdidJesuscommandHisdisciplestodo?
BasedonActs1:8,whatwouldthedisciplesreceivewhentheHolySpritcameonthem?Why?

ThesapoftheHolySpiritbringsthepowerofGodintoourlives.Butifwearenotabidingdeeply
rootedintheVine,thenwewillnotexperiencetheandIwillremaininyoupromiseofJohn15:4.In
orderfortheHolySpirittofreelyflowthroughourlives,wemustabideinChrist.AsweabideinHim,He
abidesinusastheSpiritofChristflowsfreelyinandthroughus,producingfruitinourlives.Onlyaswe
spendtimeinHispresencecanwereceivethestrengthtobearfruitthefruitofChristlikecharacterand
thefruitofmoreChristfollowers.
HowDoIAbideinChristonaDaytoDayBasis?
Thisbringsustothepracticalquestion,HowdoIabideinChristonadaytodaybasis?Asweask
ourselvesthisquestion,itisimportantthatweremembertheexamplethatwestudiedearlierinthislessonof
PaulslifeinPhilippians3:711.ThequestionisnotwhattodoforGod,buthowtoabide.Itisnota
questionofposition,butofrelationship.Thegardener(God)hasgraftedusintoChrist.Ourpositionis
secure.ThepracticalquestionforusishowtoremaindeeplyrootedintheTrueVine,cultivatinga
surrenderedheartandmindthatisdailybeingchangedtolookmorelikeJesus.Remember,thatisGods
visionforourlivesthatweknowandbecomelikeJesus.
AnsweringtheQuestion
IntheremainderofthislessonwewilllookatseveralScripturestohelpusanswerthisquestion.Asyou
leadyourgroupthroughadiscussionoftheseverses,remembertocontinuetofocusnotondoing,buton

abiding,developinganintimateconnectionwithChrist.Thepracticalthingswedoareameanstoan
end,nottheenditself.ThegoalistoabideinChrist,notdoaquiettimeorBiblestudyorevendo
church.ThespiritualdisciplinesoftheChristianlifedonotproducefruit,buttheyhelpustolearntoabide
intheVine.Asyouguidethediscussion,helpyourgroupmemberstobegintochangetheirmindsetfrom
doingtoabiding.
Eachcrossreferencewillbelistedalongwithabriefcommentaryontheverse,followedbysomediscussion
questionsforyourgroup.Youdonothavetousealloftheversesifyoudonothavetime.Thiswouldalso
beagreatopportunitytodivideintosmallergroupsfordeepercommunitybuildinganddiscussion.Ifyou
choosetodothis,assigneachgrouponeversetoreadanddiscuss.Printtheverseandapplicablediscussion
questionsonacardforeachgroup.Afterafewminutes,bringeveryonebacktogetherandalloweachgroup
tosharewhattheylearned.
Romans6:1114
Inthesameway,countyourselvesdeadtosinbutalivetoGodinChristJesus.Thereforedonotletsin
reigninyourmortalbodysothatyouobeyitsevildesires.Donotofferthepartsofyourbodytosin,as
instrumentsofwickedness,butratherofferyourselvestoGod,asthosewhohavebeenbroughtfromdeath
tolife;andofferthepartsofyourbodytoHimasinstrumentsofrighteousness.Forsinshallnotbeyour
master,becauseyouarenotunderlaw,butundergrace.
InthispassageweseePaulremindingtheRomanbelieversoftheirpositioninChrist.Thatpositionis
deadtosin,butaliveinChristJesus.Throughoutthepassage,Paulisurgingthemtoliveinthistruth.
Wemustchoosetoliveinawaythatreflectsourposition.Wearedeadtosin.Noticethatverse12begins
withtheword,therefore.Wheneverthewordthereforeisusedatthebeginningofasentence,ittellsus
thatthewordsthatfollowarebasedonthepreviousthoughtorverse.Inthiscase,theinstructionsinverses
1213arebasedonthetruth(thatwearedeadtosinbutalivetoGodinChristJesus)thatispresentedin
verse11.
Paulsayswemustnotletsinreigninourmortalbodies.Thismeansthatwecanchoosewhatcontrolsus.
Willweletsincontrolus,orwillweabideinChristandletHisSpiritcontrolus?Wecannotservetwo
masters.Eitheroursinfulnature(theflesh)ortheHolySpiritwillcontrolus.Noticeagaininthispassage
(likeinRomans12:12)howPaulistellingustoofferourbodiestoGod.Hereagainweseethechoiceto
surrendercontrol(dietoself)ofourlivestoGodinChristJesus.JustlikeinJohn15:45,thispassageis
nottellingushowtogainthepositionofalivetoGodinChristJesus,buthowtoliveintherealityofthat
position.ItisbycontinuallyofferingourselvestoChristandabidinginHim.

Howarebelieverstocount(orconsider)themselvesaccordingtoverse11?
Whatdoesitmeantobedeadtosin?
Accordingtoverses1213,whatisthepracticalwaythatwecountourselvesdeadtosinbutalive
inChrist?
Accordingtoverse12,whathappensifweletsinreigninourbodies?
Whataresomewaysthatwecanletsinreigninourbodies?
WhatchoicedoesPaullayoutforusinverse13?
Whatdoyouthinkhemeansbyoffer?HowdoweofferourselveseithertosinortoGod?
Accordingtoverse13,whatistheresultofofferingyourbodytosinversusofferingyourbodyto

God?Whatisthefruitofeachchoice?
Howdoesverse14confirmourpositionasdeadtosinbutalivetoGodinChristJesus?
Discusssomewaysthatweareusedasinstrumentsofrighteousness.Howdoesthisphrase
comparewiththeparableinJohn15:117?(Hint:Doinstrumentsproducethemusic,orarethey
vesselsthroughwhichmusicisplayed?)

Galatians5:1625
SoIsay,livebytheSpirit,andyouwillnotgratifythedesiresofthesinfulnature.Forthesinfulnature
desireswhatiscontrarytotheSpirit,andtheSpiritwhatiscontrarytothesinfulnature.Theyarein
conflictwitheachother,sothatyoudonotdowhatyouwant.ButifyouareledbytheSpirit,youarenot
underlaw.Theactsofthesinfulnatureareobvious:sexualimmorality,impurityanddebauchery;idolatry
andwitchcraft;hatred,discord,jealousy,fitsofrage,selfishambition,dissensions,factionsandenvy;
drunkenness,orgies,andthelike.Iwarnyou,asIdidbefore,thatthosewholivelikethiswillnotinherit
thekingdomofGod.ButthefruitoftheSpiritislove,joy,peace,patience,kindness,goodness,faithfulness,
gentlenessandselfcontrol.Againstsuchthingsthereisnolaw.ThosewhobelongtoChristJesushave
crucifiedthesinfulnaturewithitspassionsanddesires.SincewelivebytheSpirit,letuskeepinstepwith
theSpirit.
Inverse16,weseeagainthechoicethateverybelieverfaceseachdayWhoorwhatwillcontrolme
today?Inverse16,PaulstatesthenaturalresultofabidinginChristandlivingbytheSpirityouwillnot
gratifythedesiresofthesinfulnature.ManytimesourfocusisnotonlivingbytheSpirit(abiding),but
ratheronnotgratifyingtheflesh.Weconcentrateandtrysohardnottosin.Butwheredoesthisplace
thefocusofourattention,onChristoronourselves?Inthisverseliesawonderfullypracticalandlife
changingtruth.Thekeyisnotinwhatwedo,butWhoiscontrollingwhatwedo.Onceagainweseehow
abidinginChrist,bysurrenderingtoHiscontroldaily,willproducefruitinourlives.
NoticePaulslanguageinverse19ashebeginstolisttheactsofthesinfulnature.Hewrites,Theactsof
thesinfulnatureareobviousItsalmostasifheissaying,Dontfocusonthis.Thisisobvious.In
theseversesweseetwodifferentfruits.Paulisntgivingalistofdosanddonts.Inverses1921,he
issimplylistingtheresultsofgratifyingthedesiresofthesinfulnature(whichoccursifwearentlivingby
theSpiritaccordingtoverse16).Then,inverses2223,heissimplylistingthefruitoflivingbytheSpirit.
Thefruitourlivesbearwillbetheresultnotofwhatwedo,butofwhereweareabiding.
TheConflict
Inthispassageweseeagreatconflict,andagreatchoice.Inverses2425Paulremindsusthatifwehave
placedourfaithinChristthenwehavecrucifiedthesinfulnature.Noticehowthislinesupwithwhat
wejustsawinRomans6:11thatwearedeadtosinbutalivetoGodinChristJesus.Itiswonderful
andpracticaladvicethathegivesinverse25.Ifwehavecrucifiedthesinfulnature(alsocalledtheold
self),thenwecanlivebytheSpirit(thesapthatbringslifetothebranch).Paulissaying,Youare
aliveinChristthroughHisSpirit,solivelikeit!HowdowelivelikewearealiveinChrist?Bydaily
abidinginthevineandreceivingthelifesustainingsapoftheSpirit.Thisiswherewewillreceivethe
powertochoosetobecontrolledbyHiminsteadofbysin.

Whatarewecommandedtodoinverse16?

WhatistheresultoflivingbytheSpiritaccordingtoverse16?
WhatconflictdoesPaullayoutforusinverse17?
Howdoesthisconflictplayoutindailylife?
Accordingtoverses1921,whatisthefruitofNOTlivingbytheSpirit?
Accordingtoverses2223,whatisthefruitoflivingbytheSpirit?
Lookcarefullyatverses1923.Isthereacommandtodoornotdoanyofthesethings?
Whatisthecommandassociatedwiththislist,accordingtoverse16?
BasedonwhatwehavestudiedinJohn15,howdoyoulivebytheSpirit?
Accordingtoverse24,whathaseverybelieverdonetothesinfulnatureanditsdesires?
Basedonthistruth,whatisthecommandinverse25?
WhataresomewaysthatwecankeepinstepwiththeSpiritofChristinourlives?

Ephesians4:2224
Youweretaughtwithregardtoyourformerwayoflife,toputoffyouroldself,whichisbeingcorrupted
byitsdeceitfuldesires;tobemadenewintheattitudeofyourminds;andtoputonthenewself,createdto
belikeGodintruerighteousnessandholiness.
NoticetheparallelsinthispassagetowhatwehavealreadyseeninScripturethroughoutourstudy.Wesee
hereacontrastbetweentheoldselfandthenewself.TheoldselfislifeoutsideofChrist,whenwe
wereinAdam,deadinoursins.ThenewselfislifegraftedintotheTrueVine,livingbytheHoly
SpiritthroughournewpositioninChrist.Sinreignedinourbodiesintheoldself,butinthenewself,
sinisnotourmaster.Againinthispassagewearepresentedwithadailychoice.Wemustchoosetoput
offtheoldandputonthenew.
AgainthisisnotinreferencetoourpositioninChristbecauseoursalvationissecure.Itisthechoiceto
abideornottoabideinChrist.Accordingtoverse23ifwechoosetoabide,thefruitisachangeinthe
attitudeofourminds.RememberwhatwesawinRomans12:12?AsweofferourselvestoGodbyabiding
inChrist,choosingnottobeconformedanylongertothepatternofthisworld(puttingofftheoldself),we
willbetransformedbytherenewingofourminds,trustingtheVine,notself.Andverse24ofthispassage
describesagainGodsvisionforthisnewself.ItiscreatedtobelikeGodintruerighteousnessand
holiness.

Accordingtothispassage,whatarebelieverstoputoffandputon?
Whatishappeningtotheoldselfaccordingtoverse22?
Whathappenswhenwechoosetoputofftheoldandputonthenewaccordingtoverse23?
Howimportantistheattitudeofapersonsmindinhowhelives?
Accordingtoverse24,whatisGodspurposeforthenewself?
Whataresomewaysthatweputofftheoldself?
Whataresomewaysthatweputonthenewself?
Doyouthinkthisputtingoffandputtingonisaonetimeact,oradailychoice?Explainyour
answer.

Conclusion
TheonlypersonwhocanproducethecharacterofChristinusisChristHimself.ItisGodsvisionforeach
ofourlivesthatwebetransformedintotheimageofHisSonJesussothatotherscanseeGodsglory.But

wemustabideinHimforthatvisiontobecomeareality.AswesurrenderourlivestothewillofGod,He
graftsusintoChrist.Andasweabidethere,theHolySpiritflowsthroughusproducingthefruitofthe
Vine.Weareallabidinginsomething.Wherewechoosetoabidedeterminesthefruitthatourlives
willbear.Thequestionisntifwereabiding,butrather,Whereareyouabiding?
Application
IfyourattendeeshavenotyetdevelopedthedisciplineoftimealonewithGodeverymorningasthey
preparethemselvesfortheday,nowwouldbeagreattimetobeginabidinginChristeachmorningsothey
cancontinueabidinginHimthroughouttheday.Asuggestedbeginningtimemightbe15minuteseach
morningalonewithGod.Asuggestedplanforthe15minutesisprovidedontheattachedhandout.
LeadersNote:Youcandistributetheavailablehandouttohelpeveryonebeginthedisciplineoftimealone
withGodinthemorning,sotheycanlearntoabidewithHimthroughouttheday.
Additionallessonsandinformationareavailableatwww.godswordisgood.org.