Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events)

 **************

Reminders:

✳ Please regularly check your Planning Center profiles for requests to join your life groups, remove members from the list that no longer attend, or add members not listed. Please ensure that you have added no-reply@churchcenter.com to your email contacts so that you do not miss an email from Planning Center and encourage your members to do so as well.  This will ensure you do not miss a member request or any emails that come from the Planning Center site. Thank you!

Waters Class Schedule:

• 1st Sunday: Discover Waters – after 1st service
• 2nd Sunday: NO CLASSES
• 3rd Sunday: Connect Class – after 1st service
• 4th Sunday: Baptism Class – after 1st service

Waters Help: Need marriage and family care  or have a group member in need of marriage and family care?   Click here:  help resources page  or visit waterschurch.org/help

Location Text Alerts:

Ice Breaker Question:

If you could grow any type of fruit no matter the climate (but only one type) in your back yard but would it be and why?

Opening Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for this time together. We ask You to open our hearts and minds to Your Word. Help us understand the importance of being connected to Christ and how that connection shapes our identity, responsibility, reality, and commitment. Holy Spirit, guide our conversation and help us grow closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

*************************

Key Verse: John 15

Just because you fit in does not mean you are in the right place!

The Greek word for connected means to bind, join, and unite.  It can also mean being bound by.

To stay connected in Christ, we must pray, read the Bible, worship, attend church on Sunday, Serve, and join a Life Group.  We need to experience God in a mighty way where we can share what God has given us and is doing for and in us. 

Salvation is just the beginning; it does not stop there.

1. Identity: Christ is the VINE, WE are the BRANCHES.

John 15:1-9

The Vine is where everything derives its growth. The branches, connected to the Vine, help it grow and bring forth fruit. Without the Vine, the branches are useless.   If the Vine dies, everything else dies.  

Jesus said His Father is the Vinedresser. A vinedresser prunes the Vine and cuts off dead branches so the Vine can produce more fruit.  

John 4:26

Jesus is the same as God; He was there from the beginning. He is ‘He’ who will ensure that the Vine is ripe.

We are nothing without Christ.  We cannot live on our own; we must remain in Him.

God requires us to stay faithful to Him in union with Christ so we can produce fruit as a by-product of our relationship with Him. 

The by-product of what happens when we are connected with Christ is that we produce fruit.

Q. How does knowing that you are a branch connected to Christ, the true Vine, shape your understanding of your identity in Him?  How do you respond to moments of pruning to ensure you remain fruitful?

Practical Application: Reflect on your daily life. Are you staying connected to Christ through prayer, reading the Bible, and fellowship with other believers? Commit to spending intentional time with God each day this week.

2. Responsibility: There is an EXPECTATION of CHRIST for us. 

Once we come to Christ, we become His disciples.  

Christ laid the foundation for us to follow Him, be like Him, and be Christ-like.  Being Christ-like means that we learn to be like Him, learn to witness to others, and tell them about Christ, not keeping these things hidden in our hearts.  Keeping it to ourselves would be selfish, not Christ-like.

Philippians 2:3

Our true life comes from Christ.  If we want to stay attached to Him, we must grow with him.  We find ways to do God’s work when we stay connected to Him.

Q. Discuss the implications of ‘being Christ-like’ regarding witnessing to others and not keeping our faith to ourselves. How does our connection with Christ empower us to find ways to do God’s work, and what does growing with Him look like in your daily life?

Practical Application: Identify one way you can show Christlike love and humility to someone this week. Put it into action through serving, encouraging, or simply listening.

3. Reality: We CAN do NOTHING without CHRIST! 

John 15:6

In this passage, Jesus refers to those who choose to accept Him as Savior.  Those who don’t decide are cut off and thrown into the fire.

We did not find Christ; he found us.  He gave us the opportunity to live for Him.  

John 14:6

The only way of Salvation is through Christ.  

Q. Share experiences when you felt distant from Christ and how you reconnected. Why is it important to recognize that He chose us?

Practical Application: Begin each day with a simple prayer, surrendering your plans and asking Christ to guide and strengthen you. Trust Him to work through you.

4. Commitment: We are an EXTENSION of JESUS CHRIST! 

We are not our own; we belong to Jesus.  

John 15:7-8

Our Father in Heaven wants to give us the things we need, but we must ask.  When we tell Him what we need, He will help us. 

John 15:9

The most important thing we can share is our Salvation and what we have in Christ with others.

We don’t want to see someone perish; we don’t want to see someone lost.

Philippians 1:20, John 14:26

Q. Reflect on John 15:7-8 and the idea that ‘we are an extension of Jesus Christ’ and not our own. How does this perspective shape your approach to prayer and sharing your faith with others?

Practical Application: This week, reflect Christ intentionally in your words and actions. Seek opportunities to share His love and truth, trusting the Holy Spirit to lead you.

Sermon in a Sentence: I am CONNECTED with Christ and know my IDENTITY, understand my RESPONSIBILITY, and know the REALITY and COMMITMENT of needing Christ in my LIFE.

Key Takeaways:

What key takeaways have you received from this message, and how do you plan to apply these insights in your daily life?

Closing Prayer: Father God, thank You for reminding us that we are branches connected to the true Vine, Jesus Christ. Help us embrace our identity in You, accept the responsibility You have given us, and acknowledge the reality that we need You every moment. Strengthen our commitment to be an extension of Christ, showing His love to the world. Holy Spirit, guide us as we bear fruit for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, Amen.