SERIES INTRODUCTION

Disconnected.

We are all vastly too connected – to our phones, to work, to our computers, to messages and entertainment. Other people (even those we don’t want to) can reach us at nearly any time or place. Research has proven how essential it is to unplug and disconnect, but just disconnecting isn’t enough. We need to reconnect with what matters most.

Connect.

As we grow endlessly more connected, we don’t realize that we are simultaneously growing less connected from each other, from those we love, from the God who loves us, and from what actually matters most.

As you begin 2024, will you discover how to get connected with what matters most and begin a new year like you never have before.

WHY STUDY THE GOSPEL OF JOHN, CHAPTER 15

The fourth book of the New Testament (the second volume) of the Bible is the written account of the life and teachings of Jesus by his follower John. In AD 90, John wrote from an eye-witness perspective to a church of second and third generation Christians with a fresh instruction to the story of Jesus and a desire to persuade his readers to believe.

John wrote to a generation that was questioning the accuracy and truth of the gospels they had been taught. They were confused by false teachings and challenged by attacks on the Christian faith, and they had little background in the Old Testament teachings or Jewish history.

But let’s jump ahead to chapter 13 (of 22), where Jesus led his twelve disciples to an upper room. Along the way, they were arguing amongst themselves about who was the greatest of the twelve. As a result, none of them bothered to take on the role of the servant and to wash the others’ feet when they entered the upper room. Jesus discerned their power struggle, laid down his outer garments, picked up the servant’s towel and basin, and washed all of the disciples’ feet. Yes, that included Judas Iscariot, who would betray him in a matter of hours. After washing their feet, Jesus explained that his way was the way of the servant, and that they were to follow his example rather than the example of leaders who use power to dominate and rule over their subjects. Then, while enjoying their last dinner together before his crucifixion, Jesus invited them to share in taking the bread and wine as a memorial of his death. During this meal, Jesus called out Judas as his betrayer, and later Jesus went on to let Peter know that he was going to deny him three times.

After leaving the upper room, Jesus began to teach his disciples about the Holy Spirit and declared that he is the way, the truth, and the life. On their way to the Garden of Gethsemane, it would have been after dark as they walked alongside the temple where they would have seen gold vines hung over the entrance. They would have also noticed many small vineyards along their path. John 15 is the account of Jesus’ teaching as they walked before they arrived at the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed and was later arrested. Before noon the next day, Jesus would be on the cross.

John 15 is toward the end of Jesus’ final teachings before he was crucified. He is challenging his followers in what is most essential: to be connected to him. And through that connection, a believer experiences true life and love, and their life begins to produce an abundance of fruit.