DCLM Youth Search The Scriptures June 22, 2025, Lesson 166: Title - The True Vine

DCLM Youth Search The Scriptures June 22, 2025, Lesson 166: Title - The True Vine 

TOPIC - THE TRUE VINE

TEXT: John 15:1-27.   

MEMORY VERSE: “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing” (John 15:5).

Jesus Christ is the true Vine. He, being a Teacher from God, often uses natural things to illustrate and reveal deep spiritual truths. Here, in our text, He describes Himself as the “True Vine” and the Father, as the “Husbandman”. His description of Himself as the true Vine further differentiated Him from the Jewish leaders who, before His coming, had so exalted themselves. Just as a vine is meant to supply or feed its branches, the Jewish leaders had malnourished the people with their traditions rather than the pure word of God. These religious leaders of the Jews made the people proselytes, two- fold more the children of hell than themselves by continually feeding them with errors (Matthew 23:15). During His earthly ministry, Christ often challenged them for their hypocrisy and erroneous teachings. “But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:3,9). He referred to them as blind leaders. “Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch” (Mathew 15:14).

Question 1: “I am the true vine”- what does this statement mean concerning Christ?

John frequently recorded Jesus’ use of the words ‘I am.’ To the world, Christ had revealed Himself as “the bread of life, “the light of the world,” “the way, the truth and the life”. Now, to the twelve apostles, He reveals Himself as “the true vine” which means He is the only Source of eternal life, Possessors of life eternal by grace, Sustainer of eternal life and the One who sustains the branches.

LIFE AND FRUITFULNESS THROUGH CHRIST (John 15:1-8; Proverbs 8:33-36; 1 John 5:11-13; John 5:24; 14:6; Luke 3:8 14; Philippians 1:11; Galatians 5:22, 23)

Sin brought spiritual death on all human race as a result of the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. Not only is the human race spiritually dead by falling into sin, but the modern man (especially sinning youths) has also become an inventor of evil things, devising more sinful activities and practices; hence, making the moral and spiritual states of man worse (Romans 1:29-32). “What is man, that he should be clean? And he which is born of a woman, that he should be righteous? How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?” (Job 15:14, 16). Being abominable, the human race, especially young people, is now full of all forms of unrighteousness.

Question 2: How can sinning youths come out of spiritual death to eternal life?

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman”. As a vine is the source of life to its branches, so Christ is the Author and Giver of eternal life to as many as would come to Him. This is why He came into the world. He came to restore that eternal life which was stolen by Satan. “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). By accepting Christ, as Lord and personal Saviour with sincere repentance, the sinning youth will receive forgiveness and cleansing from sin and then be passed from death to life. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24).

Question 3: How can we keep the eternal life we have received in Christ?

We can keep the life eternal in Christ by constantly bearing fruit. However, fruit bearing is not possible without continual attachment to Christ. The branches must be linked to the vine for them to bear fruits. As a matter of fact, fruitlessness will attract divine displeasure. “Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (John 15:2).

Question 4: What kind of fruit does Christ expect us to bear as branches in the Vine?

To prove to other youths in the schools and people in the society that we are attached to Christ, the true Vine, Christian youths must “Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance.” The Scripture, also talks about the fruit of righteousness. “Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God (Philippians 1:11). Galatians 5:22,23 talks of the nine-fold fruit of the Spirit. Fruit bearing glorifies the Father who is the Husbandman of both the Vine and the branches. “Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:8).

LOVE AND FELLOWSHIP IN THE CHURCH (John 15:9-17; Acts 2:41-47; 4:32-35; Romans 12:9-21; 13:8-10; Galatians 5:13-15; 6:9,10; 1 John 3:13-19; Psalm 133:1-3; 1 John 1:3,4)

“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you; continue ye in my love” (John 15:9). Christ’s ministry on earth was drawing to a close and like every true leader, He wanted to leave a good legacy behind for His followers to keep up. He told them to continue in His love. He had previously showed them in practical terms what true love and fellowship entails (John 13:1,13-15).

Question 5: Scripturally, what is love and fellowship?

Love is a godly affection towards God first and then to mankind (Matthew 22:37-40). It is one of the fruit of the Spirit, which a believer bears regularly as a result of abiding in Christ, the Vine. Love is the opposite of hatred. Fellowship on the other hand, is the practical demonstration of love. It is love in action. Fellowship among brethren manifests itself in forgiveness of offenses (Ephesians 4:31,32), forbearing one another (Colossians 3:13), friendliness with the brethren (Proverbs 18:24; John 15:15), follow-up of converts (Acts 15:36), furnishing of one another’s spiritual life (Proverbs 27:9,17; Romans 15:1,2), firm reception of weak believers in the body of Christ (Romans 14:1; 1 Corinthians 8:9) and fervent acceptance of brethren irrespective of their social, academic or ethnic status (1 Peter 4:8). The Church cannot continue to exist and fulfil Christ’s purpose except she abides in the love of Christ. “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love” (John 15:10). Christ is our perfect Example in obedience to all of His Father’s commandments (Hebrew 5:8,9). Therefore, the Church which includes Christian youths, have no choice than to obey Christ in all things. It was by His supreme obedience to the Father’s will that we are saved. To remain saved, we must obey Him in all things. We have been called to the obedience of faith. “But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith (Romans 16:26).

Question 6: In what areas must Christian youths be obedient to the word of God?

“As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation” (1 Peter 1:14,15). The former lusts in trespasses and sins must be totally forsaken by truly converted youths. For instance, dresses and music of the world, immorality, corrupt movies, filthy communication and all other vices common among sinning youths must not be found among saved youths. We must be holy in word, action, thought and ambition. “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). Every commandment of God is for our ultimate good. Abiding in Christ’s love is for the good of His Church, which is His body. Christian youths should see themselves as part of Christ’s Church and endeavour to promote Christlike love. In true godly fellowship where Christlike love is being manifested, the following characteristics will not exist: (1) Flattery words (Proverb 20:19). (2) Feigned words (2 Peter 2:3). (3) Fleshly works (Galatians 5:16-21). (4) Filthy words (Colossians 3:7,8). (5) Fault-finding (James 3:14-18). (6) Fightings and wars (James 4:1-4). (7) Foolish (evil) thoughts (Proverbs 24:9; 1 Corinthians 13:5).

LONGSUFFERING AND THE FORTITUDE THROUGH COMFORTER (John 15:18-27; 2 Corinthian 4:8-11; 2 Timothy 3:10,11; Colossians 3:12-17; Daniel 3:14-18; Proverbs 28:1; Romans 8:35-39)

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you” (John 15:18,19). Christ’s statements here reveal an important fact that many Christian youths are ignorant of. As a result, some have compromised their Christian uniqueness and convictions. Many Christian youths think that the world will appreciate their Christian virtues of integrity, honesty, truthfulness and separation from evil vices and immoral practices. But the contrary is the case. The world is spiritually lost and morally enslaved by Satan, the god of this world. Therefore, unconverted parents, unsaved school teachers, immoral youths and the permissive society will frown at godly virtues because they contradict their depraved nature, defiled minds and darkened understanding. Proper perspectives of the Christian faith and the reaction of the world is like an umbrella that a person takes out in anticipation of a rainfall during the rainy season. As long as we live in this world, we are bound to face persecution not for wrong doing but for taking our stand against sin. Persecution can take place anywhere – in the school, at home, in your compound and wherever sinners may be found “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me” (Philippians 1:29,30).

Question 7: What fruit of the spirit must we possess to withstand and overcome persecution?

The fruit of longsuffering is an appropriate virtue the Lord has provided for saved youths to endure and overcome persecution. Longsuffering is the ability to bear persecution with patience. This fruit of longsuffering is one of the attributes of God. “And the LORD passed by before him, and proclaimed, The LORD, The LORD GOD, merciful and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in goodness and truth” (Exodus 34:6). It is also Christ’s attribute (2 Peter 3:15). This attribute is what the Lord graciously impacts to the believer to withstand persecution. Moreover, as we patiently suffer persecution, we must be courageous about it. Fortitude means courage or boldness. We must not be sad in suffering but bold or courageous. This implies that while manifesting longsuffering in the face of persecution and opposition against our faith, we still carry out the demand and the will of God upon us. Persecution does not diminish our vision for soul-winning, prayer life, consecration and service to God. The world will not stop persecuting Christians. “But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me” (John 15:21). This fortitude comes through the Comforter, the Holy Ghost. He encourages and emboldens the believer to face persecution, stand and be victorious over opposition and criticism. “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me” (John 15:26). The Holy Ghost assists us to do the will of the Father and to testify of the Son despite what we face in the world. Every believer has several measures of the presence of the Comforter. “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God” (Romans 8:14). At salvation, He comes to you in a measure and impacts His fruit and courage (Galatians 5:22,23). At sanctification, He increases His presence in a higher measure and improves His fruit and courage in you (Romans 15:16). At the baptism, He further increases His presence and preeminence in a much greater measure (Acts 4:31,33). Our courage becomes greater when we consecrate and yield ourselves to the control of the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 12:9,10).