Getting Closer To God – Chat Room Guide

Opening Prayer

Key Takeaways:

1. True devotion to Jesus means seeking Him first in all areas of life.
2. We often give God our leftovers instead of making Him our priority.
3. Remaining connected to Jesus (the vine) is essential for bearing fruit in our lives.
4. Devotion requires intentional, consistent effort – it doesn’t happen by accident.

Discussion Questions:

1. The pastor used an illustration of how we typically allocate our time in a week. How did this resonate with you? In what areas do you tend to give God “leftovers”?
2. Reflect on John 15:5 – “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” What does it practically mean to “remain” in Jesus?
3. The sermon emphasized the importance of being devoted to Jesus before seeking the “fruit” or blessings. Why is this order important? How have you seen this play out in your own life?
4. What are some common distractions or excuses that keep you from being fully devoted to Jesus?
5. The pastor suggested three practical steps for remaining connected to Jesus: pre-deciding on a time, place, and plan. Which of these do you find most challenging? Why?
6. How might your relationships, work, or other areas of life change if you truly sought Jesus first in everything?

Practical Applications:

1. Time Audit: This week, track how you spend your time each day. At the end of the week, reflect on how much time you devoted to connecting with Jesus.
2. Pre-decide Plan: Choose a specific time and place for connecting with Jesus daily this week. Share your plan with the group for accountability.
3. Devotion Challenge: Each day this week, before making any significant decision, pause and ask, “Jesus, how should I approach this?” Journal about your experiences.
4. Branch Visualization: Throughout your day, visualize yourself as a branch connected to Jesus (the vine). How does this image affect your thoughts and actions?
5. Fruit Reflection: At the end of the week, reflect on any “fruit” you’ve noticed in your life as a result of intentionally remaining connected to Jesus.

Closing Prayer

Encourage group members to share prayer requests related to growing in their devotion to Jesus.