Teaching the to See-Life as a Branch

Today I am posting at MODsquad.  Here is a little sample:

    “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love."
(John 15:1-9 ESV)

A couple of Sunday's ago, the speaker at church preached from this passage.  It was a great sermon, with tons of truth, but what really got my attention was a picture of a vine that was shown.  As I was sitting there looking at this picture, reading these verses, I thought about a few things:

Jesus is the true vine: In Him our lives are connected to our ONLY source of life

God, the Father, is the vine dresser: He grows, prunes, shapes, and nourishes the vine according to His desires

We are the branches: small, fragile, and not very noticeable

There is fruit: it is beautiful and ripe

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