Sunday 18th January, 2009

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FRUIT NOT FACTORY!

• What does abiding/remaining in Christ mean to you? How can you practise abiding in your own life? Read the passages: Psalm 80-8-9; Isaiah 5:1-7 and Jeremiah 2:21 where the analogy of the vine/vinegrower is also used. Does this bring more significance to Jesus being the true vine?

• If you read Matthew 7:15-20 and Galatians 5:22-23 – how do you interpret bearing fruit? What would it look like to bear fruit and how can we judge if we are? Consider those areas where you most want to grow. Talk to God about how he can help you to become more Christlike in these areas of your character.

• As we become more Christlike, we are revealing the character of God. Find some key passages in the Gospel of John where Jesus talks about revealing the character of his Father – John 5 and 14-17 are a great start. If you want to do more study, try using www.studylight.org to find relevant passages

• Is your Christian life about trying to please God through good works or can you believe that God loves you and that his priority is an abiding relationship with you? How does the need to perform and please God and/or people affect your life and your relationship with him?

• What does joy mean to you? Think about times when you have experienced joy in your relationship with God or by serving him through ministry. Do you rely on who you are in God or what you do for people to bring you joy?

• How much does your good works and ministry to others come out of feelings of responsibility rather than love? Do you sometimes compare your own character and giftings with other people in church? How can you develop a closer relationship with God so that his love grows in your heart and gives you the “ability to respond” in love?

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