NOTES:
1]  Jesus' down to earth imagery is the result of keenly observing the cycles of life. 2] His focus is on the branches that remain rather than those pruned off. 3] Like so much of Jesus' teaching, vine / vineyard imagery stems from  the Hebrew Bible.

WARMING UP: Are we a confident pruner, a hesitant one, or a non-starter?

TREASURES OLD & NEW: Identify God at work in anything this week?

ENTERING INTO THE STORY:

1-5        If Jesus is the authentic vine, who are the untrue, inauthentic ones today? How much does Jesus' authenticity   appeal to us? His authenicity as what? How high is it on our list of things that attract us to him?
             If God the Source 'cultivates' us as 'vines' is he likely to feel OK about our fruitfulness? Are we as observant of the processes of life, in nature, & human, as grounds for reflection & learning as Jesus was? Do we really learn from what we see happening in our own life & in the lives of others round about us? Do we see any 'pruning' needed? Who is to do it?
              Is it clear for all to see that we are living in meaningful community with each other because we're living in meaningful community with God? Are we conscious of any benefit(s) we're receiving by living in community with God & each other? Are we bearing fruit for God & each other? If we aren't bearing them for God can we bear them for others? And vice-versa?

6-8         Can we imagine what it would be like being cast aside by God like a branch pruned from a vine? Or is God too soft hearted for that kind of thing ever to happen to us? If God is as 'soft' as some would have us believe, what does that say about Jesus' authenticity? How are we to balance 'hard-line' views of God with 'soft-line' ones? In the end, is it God or we ourselves who do any pruning necessary?
              When Jesus promises us, "ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you", how does the "abide in me" bit kick in? If what we want doesn't happen, is that in itself evidence we're not 'abiding' as we ought to be?
               Do we give enough emphasis to 'glorifying' or 'honouring' God by our fruitfulness? Doesn't today's culture expect us to go out & get our own glory? Are there certain incontrovertible marks of discipleship? Proofs that we really are attached? What are they? Can we see them in others? Can they see them in us?