Session 6Fruitfulness: The Result of Faithfulness

According to John 15:16–17, a faithful and obedient follower of Christ is supposed to bear spiritual fruit.

• What does bearing spiritual fruit actually mean?
• What does fruitfulness in the daily life of a biblical disciple look like?
• What might be the priorities, attitudes, and actions of fruitful disciples?

One notable characteristic of Richard and Sabina was their dedication to obey and serve Christ, no matter the cost. As they walked out their faith over time, their circumstances changed dramatically, yet the faithful pursuit of their mission to tell others about Christ did not. As their knowledge of Christ and his will for their lives grew, their obedience increased to match, or even exceed, their knowledge. Likewise, Maryam and Marziyeh had every instruction they needed from God’s Word to walk in obedience and act in God’s power (Acts 1:8).

• In what specific ways does your obedience match, or exceed, your knowledge of Christ’s instructions for you?
• What is something specific you know God has instructed you to do that you have yet to obey?
• How can you close your own knowledge/obedience gap related to that instruction?

Maryam and Marziyeh read the Bible, prayed earnestly, and sought direction for how they could obey God’s command to be his witnesses. In their country, all faiths other than Islam are severely persecuted. As unmarried women, they had to adapt to restricted freedoms and limited opportunities to interact with other people.

• What eternal fruit came from Maryam and Marziyeh’s obedience?

How costly is it for you to be a fruitful disciple? Read John 15:12–14, 16–21.

• What price are you willing to pay to live out your commitment to Christ and produce the eternal fruit of biblical discipleship?