Session 9 – You Are the Branches

Preparation:

Read Chapter 9 of the book Absolute Surrender.

Session Outline

Ice Breaker/Introduction (Optional):

• Faith walk. Pair up into twos. Take turns having one person lead the other by the hand around the room with their eyes closed. (Or with a blindfold). Then talk about how difficult or easy this was to do.

• Faith Fall- Pair up in twos (Men with Men; women with women). Take turns. With one standing 3 feet away from the other, and their back turned towards them, lean back and fall into the other person. The person behind the one will catch the other.

 

Worship/Prayer: Some groups may want to incorporate a time of worship, other groups may choose to simply begin in prayer.

Bible Reading (Take time to read the Bible aloud): John 15:1-8

Video Clip (Optional) (Recommended to view prior to going through the discussion questions)

 

(Link to Video: http://youtu.be/ETjmCU0U7WE)

Questions related to video:

1. How important do you believe it is for us to actively seek God if we are to begin to live a victorious life?

2. Have you been truly seeking God? (If so, what does this look like for you? If not, how do you think God would have you make adjustments in your lifestyle?)

 

Discussion Questions

1.  How do you become nothing so that God can become all? What does that mean?

2.  Are there ways in which you are producing results from much work but the results are not fruit produced by the Holy Spirit? What is the difference between results produced through self-work and fruit produced through the heavenly Vine?

3.  How is it that you can abide in Christ every moment of the day when the busyness of the world, your job, your responsibilities, and other things require so many hours of your day?

4.  How important do you consider spending time alone with God to be? Are you willing to sacrifice something to spend more time with Him? If so, what are you willing to sacrifice?

Action Points

A. Ask God to show you things that you have been trying to do to become dependent on Him but are actually acts of self-effort instead of just resting and trusting in Him. Write down what He shows you, and then ask Him to show you how to enter into His rest without striving.

 B. Ask God to show you anything that is not entirely given up to Him. Surrender to Him each thing, by name, that He shows you, and then ask Him to fill those places with His presence so that you may bear much fruit.

Prayer Focus

Lord help me to rest in You each moment of the day. You are my Vine Dresser continuously keeping me; Your Holy Spirit enriching every part of me. Help me to abide in You so that I do not let Your presence leave me as if grasping at the wind. My name is engraved on the palms of Your hands, engrave Your name on the depths of my heart so that I desire nothing other than to be absolutely surrendered to You.

Homework Assignment:

1. Pray and ask God how He would have you take this study out to others in your sphere of influence. 

2. Ask God if He wants you to continue to progress through the Renewal and Transformation material.  (The next course is Renewal & Transformation 201 – “Journey into the Spirit Empowered Life, A Guide to Personal, Family and Community Transformation.”)

This book which is the heartbeat of the class is available free of charge for those outside of North America and Western Europe.  Simply fill out the following contact form and we will send you a free PDF copy of the book.  For those in North America and Western Europe we ask that you consider purchasing a physical book for use in this course.  If for some reason you do not have the funds to purchase the book fill out the contact form below and explain.   (Click link to see endorsements for the material and to see where to purchase the book on Amazon) 

God bless you and we look forward to continue this journey of Renewal & Transformation with you in the coming days!

 

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