I Am: The Vine
Object Lesson: A tree branch, flower, etc…
Ask: What is this? What happens when this is removed from the rest of the plant? (It dries up and dies.)
Have you ever seen a fruit tree? They have beautiful flowers in the spring, then during the summer we can watch the fruit growing. At the right time in the fall, we pick the fruit and enjoy eating it. What would happen, though, if I cut down a branch and took it home so that I could grow that fruit in my room? That wouldn’t work at all, would it? Fruit can only grow on a branch that is connected to the tree.
Read: John 15:4-5
In these verses Jesus is explaining how important it is for us to stay connected to him. Like a vine (or a tree in our illustration) provides water and nutrition to the branch, Jesus is the one that provides everything we need to grow in our faith and be the people he wants us to be. When we stay connected to Jesus, he changes our attitudes and actions (Galatians 4:22-23) so that other people can see Jesus’ love and goodness in us (v.8). We stay connected to Jesus by reading the Bible, talking with him and listening in prayer, and being around others who are connected with him.
Remember the illustration: if we’re not connected then we can’t bear fruit. We can’t have joy or love others by working harder or longer, or by doing something extra special. Only Jesus gives us the power to change and do good things that honor God. Let’s ask God to help us stay connected to Jesus.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you that Jesus is the vine that gives us everything we need to grow in you. Help us to stay connected with him. In Jesus’ name, amen.