2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. 3 Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. 4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. 6 If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. 8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. 9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bear fruit. John 15:2-9,16
The Basic Bible Truth
Jesus informed His disciples that their responsibility was to share their faith with others and treat others with the kind of concern and respect that Jesus had modeled for them. Jesus called it “bearing fruit”. We are told to abide in Christ, and, that when we do that, we will produce fruit. Leading others to Christ is the ultimate goal, but producing fruit carries with it the idea that everything we do, every aspect of our lives shows those around us what and who God is. Ultimately it is all about God, not us.
The Object
A Scavenger Hunt With Wood Tiles
This is a simple physical activity to reinforce the lesson. I have 200 small wood tiles—24 tiles with positive words, and 176 tiles with negative things written on them. They are spread out face down across several tables. Each person is given a Scavenger Hunt paper with 24 line items to record the good traits that they come across in their search. They are told to pick up a tile and read it, and put it back, face down again, for the next person to pick up. With a large group, it can get pretty hectic, and that is part of the fun. Each person is to do this for themselves, so they are not to share their finds with anyone. It is timed, with the winner the one who has found the most positive things. I always have prizes for the winners.