This month we are looking at chapter 15 in the Gospel of John. This is one of the chapters where Jesus is speaking to His followers during the week that He's going to be arrested, beaten, and crucified. If we read, study, and wrestle with this chapter, we should see change in our life.

Last week we looked at the who's who of this lesson and the priorities and purposes of the different parts.
Jesus - True Vine
Father - Vinedresser (Gardener)
Follower - Branch

Today we're looking at pruning. The purpose of pruning is to produce fruit.
As branches connected to the vine, we should reflect the vine. The vinedresser is pruning us for that purpose. We are created by Him to reflect Him and share Him!
John 15:1-2

Pruning is one of two ways that the Father works with the branches that are connected to the vine. His goal is to have healthy, fruit bearing branches.

He does this in two ways:
Cuts off or takes away = LIFT UP
- Gentle and with purpose
- Done with thought, care, and love

Trims & cleans or prunes = CLEANSES
- Pruning is an action that the gardener takes for the sole purpose of health and bearing fruit. As the branch bears fruit, the Vinedresser comes through and cuts off anything that is wasting energy, blocking the sun, or is simply "fluff."

Pruning is not to make us look better. It is to make us look like Him.
Whatever it is in our life that does not reflect Him needs to be taken away.
Most of us have many areas in our lives that don't reflect Him but instead reflect us. Instead of bringing God the glory in our actions, thoughts, plans, and desires...we bring glory to us.
What is our focus?
What is our energy and time going to?
The key is looking at the fruit that is being produced.
Are the nutrients going somewhere other than to the fruit?
What is stealing energy from the branch instead of producing fruit?
That is what needs to be pruned!
Look at your life, what in your life is stealing your energy and time?

Next week we'll cover the fruit in more detail. This week we're looking at what hinders the fruit from growing.
Pruning can feel like a heartless and uncaring act and can look random and chaotic. There is a quote that says, "The Vinedresser is never closer to the branch than when they are pruning it."
You may feel like pruning is punishment. But pruning is not punishment, it is discipline.
Punishment is intended to hurt and humiliate.
Discipline is intended to repair and prepare.

Remember, the Father is the Vinedresser. The pruning done by the Father is with purpose and care.
So what is the purpose of pruning?
It is to REPAIR:
- our relationship with Him
- our priorities
- our energy
It is to cut out what is not of Him. 1 John 1:9
He will cleanse us, He will prune us!

It is to PREPARE:
- to bear fruit for Him
- to bear His fruit
By pruning us, God is showing love. John 15:12
When we are focused on ourselves, pruning feels like it's ruining our life.
When we remain in the vine it is no longer our life but His life in us.
John 15:5

How do you see pruning?
- As punishment? As discipline?
What is your purpose?
- Is it to produce His fruit? Is it to produce your fruit?

As you think about the verses we've covered in John 15, pray now for one of these areas of focus...
1. God let me see myself the way you see me.
2. God let me see pruning as discipline.
3. God let me see in my life where I can be bearing your fruit.

Challenge:
Read John 15:1-2. Write out any questions, interesting thoughts, and words that need clarity.