Bible Reading
John 15:1-11 “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. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.”
[01:57]Luke 4:1-13 “And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil. And he ate nothing during those days. And when they were ended, he was hungry. The devil said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command this stone to become bread.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone.’” And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.’” And he took him to Jerusalem and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down from here, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you, to guard you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’” And Jesus answered him, “It is said, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’” And when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time.”
[12:53]Joshua 1:7-9 “Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
[28:30]Observation questions
- In John 15:1–11, what results does Jesus connect with remaining in Him, His words remaining in His disciples, and keeping His commands? [10:08]
- In Luke 4:1–13, what conditions surrounded Jesus’ temptation, and how did He answer the devil’s temptations?
- What repeated instruction does God give Joshua in Joshua 1:7–9, and what does He tell Joshua to do with the Book of the Law? [28:30]
- What practical steps were given for building a daily pattern of Bible reading and prayer, especially for someone who is just beginning? [31:52]
Interpretation questions
- Jesus says that branches cannot bear fruit by themselves. What does this picture suggest about the difference between trying harder to change and remaining connected to Christ? [10:23]
- Jesus answered temptation with Scripture already stored in His heart and mind. Why does having God’s Word available on a phone differ from having it ready in the mind during a pressured moment? [18:25]
- Joshua was told to meditate on God’s Word so that he would carefully obey it. How do meditation, courage, and obedience work together when someone faces an uncertain or difficult decision? [30:03]
- Jesus connects obedience with remaining in His love and receiving fullness of joy. How does this correct the idea that obedience to God is mainly a burden or a way to earn acceptance?
Application questions
- Where is the difference between merely having made a decision to follow Jesus and actively remaining in Him most visible in daily life right now—trust, prayer, obedience, joy, or something else? What would a more connected life look like this week? [10:23]
- What situations tend to make temptation stronger: exhaustion, loneliness, stress, conflict, boredom, or something else? What one passage of Scripture could be memorized or kept visible for that specific moment? [14:16]
- When anxiety or an important decision arises, what is usually the first response: overthinking, asking others, scrolling, acting quickly, or prayer? What could make prayer more of a “go to” response this week? [26:47]
- What time or daily routine could realistically become a regular place for Bible reading and prayer—morning coffee, lunch break, commute, or before bed? What distractions would need to be removed for that time to be protected? [33:22]
- Has a reading plan or spiritual routine ever become more about finishing than connecting with God? What change might help make time in Scripture more focused on hearing, understanding, and responding to God? [36:44]
- Is there something God has already made clear that needs obedience, not simply more study or reflection? What would one faithful next step look like? [41:05]
- If daily time with God has been inconsistent or has fallen away, what would it look like to begin again without guilt or perfectionism? [40:38]
