Bible Study Tool for the Week

Lesson 5: John 15

I remember being a new believer and hearing that I should be “bearing fruit.” I didn’t really know what the “fruit” was except that I had some vague notion that it might be other people I’d convinced to become believers. I’m not sure what was worse: my misunderstanding of what God wanted from me or the idea that I had to accomplish it all on my own to somehow curry His favor. Praise God! He never leaves us in confusion, giving us all we need in His Word.

As you come to this study each day, I pray you will once again set aside any misconceptions you may have accumulated over the years. Ask the Lord to give you fresh eyes to see the joy and hope embedded in Jesus’ teaching so that you can happily and consistently live in it. Thank our great Father for all He has done in and through you up to now, and ask Him to use what you’re learning here to allow you to love Him more and glorify Him in all that you do.

Bible Study Tool for the week: SIMILES AND METAPHORS More grammar! I feel your pain; I thought I’d left all those pesky lessons in my dust when I graduated high school, but it turns out there really was a good reason for me to stay awake in English class. Now I wish I had! Because it turns out the things we learned that seemed so needless are really great tools for understanding Scripture. In case you, like I, need a bit of a refresher on similes and metaphors, here are the definitions:  A simile is “a figure of speech in which two unlike things are explicitly compared, as in ‘she is like a rose.’” (Thank you, Dictionary.com.) The key to identifying a simile is the word “like,” or sometimes “as.” An example of a simile in Scripture is “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field…” (Matt. 13:44a). Similes are typically word pictures – they create a visual of the concept the author is trying to convey.  A metaphor is “a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied to something to which it is not literally applicable in order to suggest a resemblance, as in ‘A mighty fortress is our God.’” (What would we do without Dictionary.com!) A key to remember is that in a metaphor one is described as being another, not as like another. A good example of a metaphor in Scripture is “But now, O Lord, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand” (Isa. 64:8). Now, you ask, what’s the big deal? Why even bother looking at these things? You know, of course, that our goal is to discern the meaning the original author intended his original audience to gather from the words he used. We also hold to a literal interpretation philosophy here at Grace. Taken together, what that means is that we have a very high view of Scripture. And

Women of Grace: John Lesson 5 1 Martha Harding because of that, we want to recognize when an author is using a literary device and why. When you spot a simile or metaphor, you might ask yourself the following questions:  Why is he using this metaphor/simile here? Does this author use a lot of these, or is this a rarity for him?

 What would his audience have understood by this? (Remember that when David said, “The Lord is my shepherd” that meant a particular thing to the people of Israel at that time, which was different than our conception of shepherds today.)

 What tone or feel does the metaphor/simile create to help you understand the author’s intended message?

DIGGING IN

1. Read John 15 at least 4 times in preparation for our study time together.

2. Last week’s Bible study tip was about repeated words/phrases. Note how often the terms “fruit” and “abide” are used. What do each of these terms mean? Are there other significant words/phrases that are repeated in this chapter? What do you learn from these?

3. How does Jesus use the vine metaphor in this chapter? How would His audience have understood what He meant by this? What is the tone Jesus intends to create for His hearers?

4. Read Isaiah 5:1-7. This is only one instance of Israel being referred to as a vine/vineyard in the Old Testament, but it is probably the one that is most likely the intended referent. What is different about the way Israel is described as opposed to Jesus’ followers in this section? How are they the same?

5. Read John 15:1-11. In verse 2, Jesus says, “Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away…” As you compare this statement with the rest of this section, what does Jesus mean by this? Is He saying that true Christ-followers are ever in danger of being cut off from the family of God? Think about the context of Jesus’ hearers at this point, especially with respect to the recent departure of Judas and Jesus’ prediction of Peter’s betrayal. What is the difference between Judas and Peter, essentially? How does this help you interpret Jesus’ meaning here?

Women of Grace: John Lesson 5 2 Martha Harding 6. What is the connection between bearing fruit and abiding in Jesus and in His word? How does this tie-in with Jesus telling His followers, “Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you” in v. 3? What is the ultimate purpose in believers bearing much fruit, according to this passage?

7. In v. 9, Jesus makes a remarkable statement about the quality and nature of His love for His followers. How does the Father love the Son? Is there any possibility that God’s love for Jesus would ever diminish or be less than infinite? In other words, does the Father love the Son conditionally? Does He withhold anything from Him? Does Jesus indicate any sort of difference in the way He loves His chosen ones? Is there a condition on His love for you, if you are a Christ-follower? Is there any chance He might love you less or more? Is there any sense in which His love might be withheld from you?

8. When Jesus then told His followers, “Abide in my love,” what did He mean by that? What is the connection Jesus made to obeying His commandments? What is the outcome for Christ-followers, according to v. 11, if we do abide in His love and keep His commandments? What does this tell you about all that God commands His people to do?

9. Read John 15:12-17. Note that v. 12 and v. 17 both mention Jesus’ commandment. This is another example of an inclusio, or bookend, so we know that this is intended to be understood as a single thought or point Jesus is making. How does He describe His love for His people and their proper response to it in these verses?

10. Why did Jesus make the point to His disciples here that they were no longer servants, but friends? What did that imply about the relationship between Him and them? What did it mean for their mission? Should believers in our day consider themselves Jesus’ friends, or is that a status granted only to a few? How would you support your answer biblically (what Bible passage(s) can you point to in answering this question)?

Women of Grace: John Lesson 5 3 Martha Harding 11. Read John 15:18-26. There seems to be an abrupt change in thought from v. 17 to v. 18. What is the contrast between the love the Lord has for His own, believers’ love for each other and the way the world receives Jesus’ disciples? How does the timing of this discourse explain why Jesus instructed them in this?

12. What is the essence of what Jesus was teaching His disciples in vv. 18-23 about their purpose going forward and how they would be received? Is it the same in our time? Are you ever reluctant to share the truth about Jesus based on what you fear might be the reaction? How can you overcome this sort of timidity?

13. How does Jesus remind His followers of His identification of Himself with them (and theirs with Him)? Why is it so important for a Christ-follower to be firmly grounded in her identity in Christ? How can identifying oneself more with any other role or circumstance hinder a believer in the purpose to which we are called? Is this ever a challenge for you, personally?

14. Read John 15:26-27. What had Jesus already taught His disciples about the Helper who was to come (hint: look back at chapter 14)? Why does He call Him “the Spirit of Truth” in this context?

15. Read Isaiah 43:8-13 (or the whole chapter, if you have time). How would Jesus’ followers (with their Old Testament perspective) have understood what Jesus meant when He said the Holy Spirit and they would “bear witness” about Him? Why would their having been with Jesus “from the beginning” have equipped them to testify about Him? What qualifies believers now as Jesus’ witnesses?

IF YOU WANT TO DIG A BIT DEEPER:

Women of Grace: John Lesson 5 4 Martha Harding 16. Read Exodus 25:1-8; 29:42-46; Leviticus 26.3-13; Ezekiel 37.24-28; 43.6-9, as well as John 15:4. The passage in Ezekiel 37 explicitly mentions the covenant that God made with Israel, but all of these OT passages refer to the covenant and use covenant language. Describe the connection between the covenant, Israel’s adherence to it, and God’s presence with His people. What were the surrounding nations to learn about God through witnessing this covenant relationship? How does Jesus call to His hearers’ minds this idea of covenant and the Lord’s presence in His teaching in 15:4, and really throughout chapter 15 (whether stated directly or implied)? How does the coming of the Helper – the Spirit of Truth – continue to fulfill this covenant promise? What does all of this teach us about our standing in the New Covenant and it’s connection to our mission as Christ-followers to be Jesus’ witnesses?

17. Read Isaiah 25:6-9; 61:10-11; Zephaniah 3:14-17; Zechariah 9:9 and John 15:11. In the Old Testament passages, how do the prophets link the coming Messiah with joy for God’s people? When Jesus was teaching His disciples in John 15, He similarly linked the idea of joy with abiding in Him. What was Jesus claiming about Himself here to His disciples? Do you think they understood the connection?

APPLYING TRUTH TO YOUR LIFE

18. Are you now abiding in Jesus’ word? What does that mean? If you are a Christ-follower and you are abiding in His word, what “fruit” are you seeing in your life? Practically speaking, is studying your Bible equivalent to abiding in His word? Is there something more that is required of us? You might turn to James 1:22-25 as you consider how to answer this question. Would those around you say that you are abiding in God’s word, a “doer” and not just a “hearer”?

19. What impact should abiding in Jesus and in His word have on your prayer life (see 15:7)? How do you think this abiding will shape “what you wish” when you pray? What sort of prayer do you think Jesus was referring to in this verse? Do your prayers reflect your abiding in Jesus’ Words? How can you know if what you are praying for is in line with what God wants for you?

In your prayer time during these two weeks, thank God for His word! Thank Him that He has graciously made a way for us to be identified with Him through His Son. Thank Him for

Women of Grace: John Lesson 5 5 Martha Harding the joy that is ours in Christ and the promise of His loving presence in us and with us. Thank Him, also, for the strength to be His witness, despite opposition that may come. Ask the Father to increase your courage as His witness. Ask Him, also, to help you better understand what it means to abide in Jesus. Finally, thank the Lord for His amazing love for you and ask Him to help you love others in the same way.

Women of Grace: John Lesson 5 6 Martha Harding