CONVERSATION STARTERS
Conversation Starters help us dig deeper, connecting Sunday’s sermons with our Monday lives. Please know that these questions are meant to be a resource. You do not have to follow them verbatim or get through them all. We trust you to know your group and to ask the questions based on your group needs.

1. What are the biggest influences in your life? Friends, work, family, entertainment? How do we see these influence our daily lives?

2. Read John 15:1-17 silently or aloud.

3. Why does abiding in Christ go hand in hand with being his friend? Looking at the promises in this passage that come from abiding, what are some consequences if we do not abide?

4. What are some of the ways to stay connected to the true vine? What are some habits that you practice already?

5. What do we learn about Jesus in this passage?

6. What does this passage say about what it means for believers to follow Jesus as king?

7. How does this passage encourage and/or challenge you?

PRAYER PROMPT
Thank God with humility, gratitude, and honor that you are called friends of Jesus. Pray that you will each have the desire to abide daily and to see others the way Jesus sees them.

Title: The King’s Friends
Scripture: John 15:1-17
Speaker: Paul Brandes, PaulB@cckc.church

> Christians must grow.

> Growth looks like dependence.

> Growth feels like pruning.

“The vine dresser is never closer to the vine, taking more thought over its long-term health and productivity, than when he has the knife in his hand.” -NT Wright

> Growth is catalyzed by obedience.

“We live in a culture that is so lukewarm that anything that even resembles discipleship is dismissed as legalism.” - Jon Tyson

> Growth results in joy.