SESSION 2: THE CALL TO FRUITFUL LIVING E.

E. From John 15: 8 & 16, what are additional observations can you
Series: Fruitful Living make about bearing fruit?

Many people measure the fruifulness of their lives by the quantity of their 16 You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you
activities. This does not necessarily give a true picture of the quality of would go and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that
their lives. Who we are is more important than what we do. whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.

THINK ABOUT

How do you think fruitfulness should be measured in the life of a Christian?

I. GOD’S DESIRE FOR YOUR FRUITFULNESS

John 15: 1-8 II. GROWING IN CHARACTER

1 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in
Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears A. The Bible reveals several areas of our life in which character is
fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean displayed. Please list one for each of the following verses.
because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in
Philippians 4:8 __________________________________________
you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine,
so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 I am the vine, you are the Colossians 4:6 __________________________________________
branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for
apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he 1 Peter 2:12 ____________________________________________
is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast
them into the fire and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My
B. Examine 2 Peter 1:1-8. This talks about growth in Christian character.
words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to 1. How has God equipped you to grow in character? (v2-4)
be My disciples.

A. In this analogy, identify the vine, the vinedresser and the branches.
______________________________________ 2. What does verse 8 say about fruitfulness?
______________________________________
______________________________________

B. What condition is necessary for the branch to bear fruit? 3. List down eight aspects of Christian character (verses 5-7).
____________________ ____________________
____________________ ____________________
C. Why does the branch need the vine? ____________________ ____________________
____________________ ____________________

D. What does it mean to “abide” or “remain” in Christ? How might their sequence be significant?
 4. Select one quality that you would like to strengthen. With God’s 3. Which of the characteristics you listed have influenced our society the
help, what steps could you take to become more Christlike in most?
displaying that quality?

IV. CHANGING ATTITUDES

III. GROWING IN WISDOM A. Read Philippians 3:4-14

A. One of the purposes of the Book of Proverbs is that people might 1. List several of Paul’s new attitudes and patterns that differed from his
attain wisdom. What do the following verses from Proverbs teach former ones.
about wisdom?
PAUL’S FORMER PAUL’S NEW ATTITUDES
2:6 ________________________________________________ ATTITUDES AND AND PATTERNS
PATTERNS (v 4-7) (v 7-14)
3:13-14 _____________________________________________
a. Put confidence in the flesh __________________________
9:10 _______________________________________________
b. Religious leader __________________________
11:2 ________________________________________________
c. Persecuted the church _________________________
24:13-14 ____________________________________________
d. Blameless in the law __________________________

B. Read James 3:13-18. e. Counted all as gain for self __________________________

1. How is godly wisdom displayed?

2. What caused Paul to have such positive attitude about the future?

2. List the characteristics of godly wisdom and ungodly wisdom (verses

15-17). (You may leave some lines blank.)

GODLY WISDOM UNGODLY WISDOM

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__________________________
__________________________
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__________________________
__________________________
__________________________
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__________________________ Sow a thought and you reap an action;
__________________________ Sow an act and you reap a habit;
__________________________
Sow a habit and you reap a character;
__________________________
__________________________ Sow a character and you reap a destiny.