Follow Me
What's one thing you've overcomplicated in your life that was actually much simpler than you made it?
Sermon Summary
This week, Pastor Mike introduced a new series on what it means to bear fruit as followers of Jesus. Using John 15:4-8, he reminded us that bearing fruit isn't about striving harder or doing more for Jesus—it's about staying connected to Him and letting His life flow through ours. The central message: Bearing fruit is simply Jesus's life coming to life in my life.
Key Takeaways
1. The simplicity of "remain" - Jesus uses the word "remain" 11 times in this passage. It simply means "stay" or "don't leave."
2. The King Jesus Gospel - We were created to let God be King, not to be kings of our own kingdoms. When we try to provide, protect, and satisfy ourselves, we end up stressed, anxious, and burned out.
3. Connection over perfection - The goal of the Christian faith isn't perfection; it's connection. When we stay close to Jesus, fruit naturally grows.
4. We bear fruit by following, not just agreeing - It's in actually following Jesus that we discover He is who He says He is.
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Discussion Questions
1. What stands out to you most from Jesus's vine and branches analogy? What makes this image powerful or meaningful?
2. Why do you think Jesus repeated the word "remain" so many times in this passage?
3. What does verse 8 tell us about the relationship between bearing fruit and glorifying God?
Personal Reflection
4. Can you relate to Pastor Mike's story of trying to be "bold enough," "spiritual enough," and "smart enough"? How have you overcomplicated following Jesus?
5. What "crowns" are you currently wearing—areas where you're trying to be king of your own kingdom instead of trusting Jesus? (Examples: finances, relationships, career, future, reputation)
6. Pastor Mike said, "Almost every issue that I find in my life comes down to a crown on the wrong head." Do you agree? What issue in your life right now might be connected to you wearing a crown that belongs to Jesus?
The King Jesus Gospel
7. How does the "King Jesus Gospel" illustration help you understand what it means to follow Jesus? What part resonated most with you?
8. What would it look like practically for you to let Jesus be King in one specific area of your life this week?
9. The sermon mentioned that when we let Jesus carry the weight, we suddenly have energy to love others. Have you experienced this? Share an example.
Application
10. Pastor Mike asked: "Are you staying close?" rather than "Are you doing enough?" How does changing that question change your perspective on your walk with Jesus?
11. What are practical ways you can "remain" or "stay connected" to Jesus this week? (Consider: prayer, Scripture, community, worship, obedience)
12. Jesus says in this passage, "Love one another as I have loved you." How does staying connected to Jesus enable us to love others better?
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Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge: Choose ONE of the following to practice this week:
1. Daily Connection - Set aside 10-15 minutes each day to simply be with Jesus (prayer, Scripture reading, silence, worship). Don't focus on doing; focus on connecting.
2. Crown Identification - Identify one "crown" you're wearing and take a practical step to surrender it to Jesus. Share this with one person for accountability.
3. Love in Action - As you experience Jesus carrying your burdens, intentionally look for one person you can love or serve this week as a result of the freedom you're experiencing.
4. Scripture Meditation - Memorize John 15:5: "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me, and I in him, produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me."
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Closing Thought
"The goal of the Christian faith isn't perfection, it's connection. Because when we stay close to Jesus, the natural fruit of our lives, what we were designed for, is going to come out."*
Sermon Summary
This week, Pastor Mike introduced a new series on what it means to bear fruit as followers of Jesus. Using John 15:4-8, he reminded us that bearing fruit isn't about striving harder or doing more for Jesus—it's about staying connected to Him and letting His life flow through ours. The central message: Bearing fruit is simply Jesus's life coming to life in my life.
Key Takeaways
1. The simplicity of "remain" - Jesus uses the word "remain" 11 times in this passage. It simply means "stay" or "don't leave."
2. The King Jesus Gospel - We were created to let God be King, not to be kings of our own kingdoms. When we try to provide, protect, and satisfy ourselves, we end up stressed, anxious, and burned out.
3. Connection over perfection - The goal of the Christian faith isn't perfection; it's connection. When we stay close to Jesus, fruit naturally grows.
4. We bear fruit by following, not just agreeing - It's in actually following Jesus that we discover He is who He says He is.
---
Discussion Questions
1. What stands out to you most from Jesus's vine and branches analogy? What makes this image powerful or meaningful?
2. Why do you think Jesus repeated the word "remain" so many times in this passage?
3. What does verse 8 tell us about the relationship between bearing fruit and glorifying God?
Personal Reflection
4. Can you relate to Pastor Mike's story of trying to be "bold enough," "spiritual enough," and "smart enough"? How have you overcomplicated following Jesus?
5. What "crowns" are you currently wearing—areas where you're trying to be king of your own kingdom instead of trusting Jesus? (Examples: finances, relationships, career, future, reputation)
6. Pastor Mike said, "Almost every issue that I find in my life comes down to a crown on the wrong head." Do you agree? What issue in your life right now might be connected to you wearing a crown that belongs to Jesus?
The King Jesus Gospel
7. How does the "King Jesus Gospel" illustration help you understand what it means to follow Jesus? What part resonated most with you?
8. What would it look like practically for you to let Jesus be King in one specific area of your life this week?
9. The sermon mentioned that when we let Jesus carry the weight, we suddenly have energy to love others. Have you experienced this? Share an example.
Application
10. Pastor Mike asked: "Are you staying close?" rather than "Are you doing enough?" How does changing that question change your perspective on your walk with Jesus?
11. What are practical ways you can "remain" or "stay connected" to Jesus this week? (Consider: prayer, Scripture, community, worship, obedience)
12. Jesus says in this passage, "Love one another as I have loved you." How does staying connected to Jesus enable us to love others better?
---
Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge: Choose ONE of the following to practice this week:
1. Daily Connection - Set aside 10-15 minutes each day to simply be with Jesus (prayer, Scripture reading, silence, worship). Don't focus on doing; focus on connecting.
2. Crown Identification - Identify one "crown" you're wearing and take a practical step to surrender it to Jesus. Share this with one person for accountability.
3. Love in Action - As you experience Jesus carrying your burdens, intentionally look for one person you can love or serve this week as a result of the freedom you're experiencing.
4. Scripture Meditation - Memorize John 15:5: "I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me, and I in him, produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me."
---
Closing Thought
"The goal of the Christian faith isn't perfection, it's connection. Because when we stay close to Jesus, the natural fruit of our lives, what we were designed for, is going to come out."*