John 15 Part 3 - Study and Reflection

 

This study was done at Word Of Grace Church in groups on July 13th 2025. For the audio & video please click here.  For the worship please click here.

Bible Study Questions: 

John 15:9-17

PART 3

As we conclude this study on John 15, it is essential to remind ourselves of the purpose behind studying scripture. John reminds us at the end of his book in chapter 20:31 Even these are written, so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and when you believe you shall have life everlasting in his name.  We are told that the Word or scripture has life-giving power. How that power comes when the word is experienced or put into action. That has always been the understanding in biblical thought that upon hearing, one puts it into practice, and only then can it be said that you have truly understood.

Jesus finishes His Sermon on the Mount with a similar warning. It's like Him saying: “Now you have seen how you ought to apply the law to your lives, you have heard me say how you need to forgive, love and live. Now, I expect you to put this into practice. If you do not, then you are like that foolish man who built his house on the sand (Matt 7:24-27).

So our prayer is that as you study, meditate and reflect upon this passage that you will ask the Holy Spirit to shed His light upon your heart on areas that need to be reshaped to conform to the likeness of Jesus.

 

 

 Reflective Questions

1.   “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you” (v.9).

·         How would you describe the quality and depth of the Father’s love for Jesus?

2.   Remain in my love” (v.9).

·         What helps you stay rooted in the love of Christ and identify your distractions?

3.   “If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love…” (v.10).

·         How do you understand the connection between obedience and abiding in love?

4.   “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you…” (v.11).

·         What is the connection between love, obedience, and joy in this passage?

·         Can you think of a time when obeying Jesus brought deep joy?

5.   “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.” (v.12)

·         How did Jesus love His disciples?

6.   Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (v.13).

·         What does sacrificial love look like in everyday life?

7.   Jesus calls His disciples “friends” (v.15).

·         How does it impact your relationship with Jesus to know He calls you, His friend?

·         Do you relate to Him more as a servant, a friend, or something else?

Application Questions

1.   In what ways can you intentionally “remain” in Jesus’ love this week? (Consider Scripture, prayer, community, gratitude, or confession.)

2.   How can you grow in joyful obedience to Jesus’ commands, especially to love others? Is there a command of Christ that feels challenging to obey right now?

3.   Is there someone in your life right now who needs to experience Christ-like love from you? What is one way you can serve, forgive, or encourage that person this week?

4.   Are you willing to love others sacrificially—even when it costs you comfort or convenience? What does that look like in your current season of life?

5.   Jesus chose and appointed us to bear lasting fruit (v.16). What kind of fruit do you sense God wants to develop in your life right now?

6.   Jesus commands us to love one another (v.17). How can your local church, small group, or ministry better reflect this love? What part can you play in cultivating a loving, Christ-centred community?

 Word of Grace is an Evangelical (Born Again),  Spirit-filled (Charismatic), Reformed, English-speaking church in Pune that upholds the Bible as God's inspired Word for life. We are a church community that has people from every part of India and parts of the world. We are here to put the Great Command and the Great Commission into practice by equipping and releasing every member into works of service.  Word of Grace is part of a wider international family of Churches called RegionsBeyond.To know more about us please log onto www.wordofgracechurch.org.