Memorize:

Hab. 2:14: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”

Background:

We have studied many lessons about who we are in Christ. This lesson will begin to turn more towards doing what we do as a result of being who we are.

Review the diagram. Focus on the portion titled “direction”. These are foundational to us being a disciple of Jesus and assumes that you already have placed your faith in Christ.

Overview:

1. What does it mean to “abide”, “obey” and “bear fruit”?
2. How important are these three aspects to our knowing and glorifying God?

1. What do the following passages say about us being disciples?

• Eph. 5:1: "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children."

• 1 Cor. 11:1: "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ."

2. According to the following passage, what is eternal life and how did Jesus glorify the Father?

• John 17:3-4: "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do."

Note: Jesus, being fully God, glorified God by accomplishing everything the Father had given Him to do. We must do the same. There are three main aspects of knowing why we were created. These are abiding, obeying and bearing fruit. It can be said that abiding X obedience = bearing fruit. If one “abides” but does not obey, there is no fruit. Likewise, if one were to “obey” the commands of God, but not abide, there is still no fruit. Fruit comes when we combine correct abiding with right obedience

3. What do the following passages say about abiding? What or who are we to abide in?

• John 8:31: ”So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,''

• John 15:4-5: “Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

4. How can you abide in Christ and His word?

5. What do the following passages say about obedience? What are we to obey?

• Matt. 28:20 "teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

• Matt. 7:21-23: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ 23 And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”

6. What does obedience have to do with knowing God? Is obedience to God an option?

7. How can you better obey God’s commands and will?

There are two kinds of fruit. There is “outward” fruit that everyone can see. Examples are people coming to faith when you share the gospel with them or outreach ministries. “Inward” fruit is the kind that others cannot see, but the results can be seen. For example, you cannot see my “love” but you can see the result of my love.

8. What do the following passages say about bearing fruit?

• John 15:8: “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.''

• Matt.7:17-19: “So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

• Gal. 5:22-23: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”

9. Which kind of fruit are you lacking the most, inward or outward?

10. What are you going to do about it?