Part 4 of 4
What Do I Believe About Getting Close To God?
1.Think of a time when you felt especially near God. List three words that describe how that felt.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO ABIDE?
To abide means to remain intimately connected to Jesus Christ.
In vineyard terms, abiding happens at the place where the branch connects to the vine. The greater our connection to Jesus, the more we tap into His power and presence-and the more fruit we can bear for Him.
In vineyard terms, abiding happens at the place where the branch connects to the vine.
1 John 4:13-15. From this passage we see that we begin to abide when we accept Christ as our Savior. This kind of abiding is a supernatural gift from God.
Yet in John 15:4 and 9, abide is used as an imperative-Jesus commanded His disciples to abide. That means that abiding for “much fruit” requires an action on our part.
1. A word closely related to abiding is fellowship. According to 1 John 1:1-3 and 1 Corinthians 1:9, who can we have fellowship with?
2. Another synonym for abiding is communion. Second Corinthians 13:14 tell us that we can enjoy the communion of _____________________.
3. Abide can also be translated “ remain” or “stay”.
What does this say about who is responsible when there is distance between you and God? How might knowing this change the way you approach intimacy with Him?
WELCOME TO THE PLACE OF ABIDING
In John 15, Jesus mentions three ways or “places” we abide:
1. WE ABIDE IN CHRIST. Notice the wording of John 15:5. Jesus was describing a level of intimacy between Jesus and His friends that could continue even after His death. We don’t remain with Jesus, or even near Jesus, but _________________________Him—and He in us~!
Is the God of the universe knowable? Yes! In fact, coming to know God better is what abiding is all about. Paul was so convinced Christ was knowable that he wrote, “I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). And God told Jeremiah,” Let him who glory in this, that he understands and knows me” (Jeremiah 9:24).
1. WE ABIDE IN HIS LOVE, Read John 15:9-17.
Jesus tells us that we are to abide in His_____________(v.9), which is possible as we keep His ____________________(v.10).
This passage echoes Jesus’ teaching about the greatest commandment
(Mark 12:28-34). How might abiding in God’s love lead naturally to loving others?
2.WE ABIDE IN HIS WORD. In John 15:7, Jesus
Told His disciples to_____________ in Christ and let
His ________________abide in them. What are some?
Practical ways to make this happen?
WHY IS ABIDING SO IMPORTANT?
2. ABIDING IS ONE OF GOD’S GREATEST DESIRES. From the Garden of
Eden to the closing pages of Revelation, the Bible is a chronicle of God’s initiatives to have a personal relationship with the human race.
What does Revelation 3:20 reveal about God’s desire for and active pursuit of friendship with us?
How does this personal invitation make you feel? How often do you hear this knocking on the door to your heart? How do you tend to answer?
ABIDING IS ONE REASON GOD CREATED US. David expressed the longing of the human soul for God: “As the deer pants for the water brooks, pants my soul for You, O God “(Psalm 42:1).
A. Read Psalm 16:11 and 17:15. What do we find in God’s presence?
B. What are some ways people tend to look for personal fulfillment outside of intimacy with God? How successful are these efforts?
C. On a scale of 1-10 (1 being low), how strong is your own desire to know God? Why do you think this is so?
3. ABIDING IS THE ONLY WAY WE CAN YIELD AN ABUNDANT HARVEST OF “MUCH FRUIT.” Way do you think a deeper friendship with God and obedience to Him might result in more fruitfulness for eternity? (See John 15:5)
HOW DOES ABIDING LEAD TO “MUCH “ FRUIT?
The branch that bears “much” fruit bears the highest yield possible. Surprisingly, the key to this abundance is not doing more for God, but being more with God. How does this work?
1. Let’s look more closely at what Jesus said in John 15:4-5:
“As the branch cannot bare fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless, you abide in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing.”
a. What activity on our part is the only source of real abundance?
What startling truth dose Jesus reveal about our ability to bare fruit at any level?
b. Read Mathew 11:28-30 and Galatians 6:9. How might abiding help us to not grow weary in doing God’s work?
2. As we take more time to abide with God, we’ll obviously have less time to do things for him. That’s why abiding for maximum fruitfulness requires a step of faith. You must believe that if you do less in order to abide more, God will increase your harvest to the highest levels possible. If you acted on this new belief today, what changes would you need to make in your life immediately?
Who Else in the bible Chose to Abide?
Luke 10; 38-42
Mary, along with her sister Martha and brother Lazarus, lived near Jerusalem, Apparently, Jesus was a frequent guest. One day after He and the disciples had arrived, Martha scurried to meet the needs while Mary sat at Jesus’ feet. Martha asked Jesus to reprimand Mary, but Jesus gently rebuked Martha instead: “Martha, Martha, you are worried & troubled about many things. But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken from her” (vv. 41-42). This story illustrates several important principles of abiding:
A. Abiding Requires Our Time & Focused Attention.
What are the “many things” that tend to distract you from spending time with God?
What do you think Jesus meant by “one thing is need”?
B. Abiding is with a Person, Not a Program or Belief.
Jesus loved Mary & Martha (John 11:5). Notice Mary’s desire to be near Jesus ~ do you experience the personal presence of the Lord during your quiet times?
C. Abiding is Meant for Every Believer, Regardless of Age, Temperament, or Level of Maturity.
Jesus wanted activity minded Martha to choose abiding. What Personal tendencies or circumstances do you need to realize might be keeping you from abiding?
D. Abiding is Available to ALL Believers at any time or place.
Jesus challenged Martha about her priorities, not her activities, Regular time set apart to wholly focus on God is where deep abiding begins. But we can abide with Him anywhere and at any time ~ while driving to work, folding laundry, or mowing the lawn.
i. Have you ever chosen to abide with Jesus while you were busy doing something else? Explain?
ii. List 3 Weekly activities that allow you to focus your mind and heart on fellowship with God.
How Do I Grow in Abiding
1. Plan a Regular Time & Place
Most people find that mornings work best. Choose a place where you feel comfortable. Protect your daily appointment as if you are meeting with a King (WHICH YOU ARE!!) Psalm 5:3
2. Purpose to Seek God until you find HIM.
And you will find Him if you persevere because God will keep His promise: “Draw near to God & He will draw near to you” (James 4: 8)
Psalm 145:17-21
What Can Keep Me from Abiding?
Five Abiding Busters
The “But I Don’t feel Anything” Foul-up
You assume if you didn’t have strong emotions, nothing happened.
Psalm 145:18 / 1 John 3:19-20
The “He Doesn’t Like Me” Muddle.
You believe God loves you, but you doubt that He actually likes you.
John 15:15 / Ephesians 3: 17-19 / I John 3:1
The “Sin Doesn’t Matter” Mistake.
You think ongoing disobedience won’t keep you form abiding, especially if you experience pleasant feelings during church.
Psalm 15 /Psalm 66:18-20/James 4:8/ I Johns 1: 5-7
The “Going Through the Motions” Notion.
You think the Bible reading & prayer are proof you’re having a relationship with God.
I Samuel 16:7/ Psalm 27:4-8/ Matthew 5:6
