Discussion Questions
The Glory Of God. Glorious Fruit
(Watch the service online at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qg-uq1SKQMo)
Pastor Bryan Finley
1. Share with the group anything going on in your life that is good. It could be
personal, spiritual, or family related, whatever you choose!
2. For those who attended the service at Hope Chapel, what were some of the
things God spoke to you and impressed upon you during the service and during
the teaching?
3. Read the following passage and respond to the questions that follow:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me & I in you, you will bear much
fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
If you remain in me & my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, & it will be done
for you. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be
my disciples.” John 15:5-8
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Read vv. 1-2. Jesus tells us He is the vine, God is the gardener, and we are the
branches. What do you believe Jesus is telling us with this illustration?
Why did Jesus refer to Himself as the "true" vine?
What are the implications of disciples being the branch and Jesus being the
vine?
What do you suppose it means to “remain” in Jesus as a branch remains in a
vine?
Read vv 4-8. Jesus does not command His followers to bear fruit. What does He
command us to do?
What kind of “fruit” do you think is produced in the life of a disciple?
This fruit produced in the life of the disciple lets people know they are disciples of
Jesus. Why would that be the case?
Jesus says apart from Him we can do nothing. How would you answer someone
who tells you of his or her list of accomplishments?
What else do you learn or come to understand through this passage?
4. Read the following and respond to the questions that follow:
“13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to
indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is
fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”15 If you bite and
devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. So I say, walk by
the Spirit, & you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is
contrary to the Spirit, & the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with
each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.18 But if you are led by the
Spirit, you are not under the law.
The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity & debauchery; idolatry &
witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions &
envy; drunkenness, orgies, & the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like
this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness & self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who
belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions & desires. Since we live
by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking
& envying each other.” Galatians 5:16-26
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In our most natural state (“acts of the flesh”), not being led of the Holy
Spirit, what is produced in our lives?
How do we see (“obvious”) this to be true throughout cultures and the
centuries? What explanation have you heard outside of the Bible
explaining why humanity is this way?
5. What is the result of “being led” of the Spirit? In what way does this relate to
what Jesus taught in John 15?
6. Pastor Bryan shared how we are in the best position for the fruit of the Spirit
when we have run out of our own personal resources. A good way to think of
when we need the fruit of the Spirit is to think of the opposite characteristic of
each fruit listed. This is a quote from his message:
“So when I’m heavy with fear..unable to love…
When all I feel or see is despair & joy escapes me…
When worry pins my heart to the floor & peace is no where to be found.
When resentment grips my heart & all patience is lost.
When cynicism burns my blood & the last thought is to be kind..
When insincerity fills my motives & true goodness is a joke.
When I can’t follow through on nothing & faithfulness feels like Mt. Everist.
When self-absorption keeps me from being gentle to those around me.
When selfish impulses sit in the drivers seat & self control is no where in sight…
It is then…
In those moments…
When I see my great need for grace.
For Christ’s provision..
For Christ’s nature…
For Christ’s power…
When the depth of my need is realized…then and only then can I begin to
abide in the vine, walk by the Spirit & see & enjoy the fruit of the Spirit.
2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made
perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my
weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
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Share your reactions. In what way is this true? What other questions arise as you
read this?
7. Notice this verse: “Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the
flesh with its passions & desires.” This seems to encourage us to treat our old
nature, or our “flesh”, as a condemned criminal. How do we practically “crucify”
our old nature? In what way does that act also allow us to “live unto the Spirit”?
8. Pastor Bryan provided the following ways to be led of the Spirit,
and allow His fruit to be seen in our lives. Explain how you would
apply the following. What else would you add to this list?
How To Yield Fruit:
• Connect with God, experience His love.
• Refuse my old nature-crucify it.
• Think on the promises of God.
• Declare who I am in Christ.
• Ask & thank Him for help.