Chapter 15
John 15:1–17
Theme: Life-union with Jesus produces lasting fruit, deep love, true joy, and powerful friendship.
The True Vine and the Father Gardener 1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit, He lifts up—and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes so it may produce more. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken over you.
Remain in Union to Bear Fruit 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. Just as a branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it stays connected to the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who abides in me and I in them will bear much fruit—for apart from me, you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in me, they are thrown away like a branch and wither. Such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
Fruitfulness and Power through Abiding 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. 8 My Father is glorified by this: that you bear much fruit and prove yourselves to be my true disciples.
Live in My Love 9 Just as the Father has loved me, I have loved you. Remain in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in His love. 11 I’ve told you this so that my joy may be in you—and that your joy may overflow.
The Command to Love Like Jesus 12 This is my command: Love one another as I have loved you. 13 No one has greater love than this—to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
From Servants to Friends 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant doesn’t know what the master is doing. Instead, I have called you friends, because everything I’ve heard from my Father, I’ve made known to you.
Chosen to Bear Lasting Fruit 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. So that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give it to you. 17 This is my command to you: Love one another.
IN THIS LESSON
What’s Really Going On?
Jesus continues teaching His disciples on the night before His crucifixion. Using the metaphor of a vine and branches, He describes the life-giving connection between Himself and His followers. He teaches that fruitfulness, love, joy, and friendship all grow out of abiding (remaining) in Him. The Father is the loving gardener who tends every branch with purpose.
Jesus says: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener” (v.1)
He says: “Without me, you can do nothing” (v.5)
He reminds them: “You didn’t choose me, I chose you to bear fruit that will last” (v.16).
What Was Said or Done?
He lifts and prunes branches—caring for the unfruitful and refining the fruitful (v.2).
He commands: “Love one another deeply” and calls His disciples “friends” instead of servants (v.12–15).
Jesus calls His followers to remain in life-union with Him (v.4–5).
Jesus expresses deep love—the same love the Father has for Him—and asks us to remain nourished by it (v.9).
Let’s Talk About It
Let’s Talk About It
Decisions They Faced
The disciples had to decide whether to stay connected to Jesus in the face of coming hardship.
They could choose to receive pruning (refining and discipline) or resist the process.
Jesus gave them the choice to love each other deeply or follow worldly patterns of selfishness.
They had to choose whether to see themselves as mere followers—or as friends entrusted with God’s heart and mission.
What Happened Next?
Jesus’s followers would later remember these words when facing suffering and separation.
Abiding in Him became the foundation for the early Church's power and fruitfulness.
They bore lasting fruit: love, healing, unity, and transformed communities.
Their friendship with Jesus became their strength in persecution, their guide in decision-making, and their joy in suffering.
Living It Out
Living It Out
💬 Let’s Make It Personal
What areas of your life feel “pruned” right now? How might God be preparing you for more fruitfulness?
Where are you tempted to disconnect from Jesus and try to “do life” on your own?
Do you think of yourself as a friend of Jesus? Why or why not?
Who in your life needs to experience the kind of sacrificial love Jesus commands in verse 13?
Your Next Step
Abide Daily: Each morning this week, pray: “Jesus, I remain in You today. Be my source of strength, peace, and love.”
Pruning Reflection: Journal one area of your life where God may be pruning or refining. Ask Him what fruit He wants to grow there.
Love in Action: Choose one way to show deep, sacrificial love this week—especially to someone it’s difficult to love.
Friendship Prayer: Pray John 15:15 as a declaration: “Jesus, thank You for calling me friend. I want to live in that truth today.