November 16, 2025
Practicing The Way How Fruit Grows
Jesus describes himself as the vine whose source and power produce fruit in the branches. When we remain in Jesus the way a branch does in a vine, he grows the fruit of true life in us.
A Rule of Life is a set of practices that help us remain in Jesus. These practices include prayer, solitude, Scripture, sabbath, community, fasting, service, witness, and generosity.
Songs for this week: Spotify
Questions:
John 15:5-17
- What are some of the “false vines” - things that we turn to for meaning, identity, and power - most visible in our culture today? What kind of fruit do these vines produce in our lives?
- What kind of fruit does Jesus produce in our lives? Can you tell a story of someone who has been an example of that for you?
- What practices have you tried? How have you experienced them creating space for you to be with Jesus?
- What ones are unfamiliar to you? How might they help you remain in Jesus?
- What practices would you like to include in your Rule of Life? (It may help to look at an example of a Rule of Life or look at the Rule of Life Builder at www.practicingtheway.org/ruleoflifebuilder.)
- Who would you like to involve in the process of designing your Rule of Life?
This Week's Practice: Rule of Life
Last Week's Practice:
Confession
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Recent Sermons
Luke 2:22-40 - This week we reflect on the quiet faithfulness of Joseph and Mary as they bring Jesus to the temple. In this moment of ordinary obedience, God meets them with extraordinary hope through Simeon and Anna.
Matthew 1:18-25 - God puts His people on the go. Explore God’s call to Joseph and how an ordinary life is drawn into a greater mission and purpose.
Luke 1:39-45-Unexpectedly pregnant before she was married, Mary’s life was in upheaval. God sent her to Elizabeth, who would encourage her with a blessing.
Luke 1:26-38 - This Christmas, discover how God is on the move—sending Gabriel to Mary in Nazareth and inviting ordinary people into the greatest story ever told. Explore Mary’s costly yet courageous “yes” and what it reveals about the Christian life.
Luke 1:5-17 - The first Christmas bursts to life with promise and purpose—God sets His plan in motion, beginning in Jerusalem with an elderly priest and a miraculous birth announcement. Excitement is rising, and the story is just beginning.
Mark 3:32-35 - Discover why community is the most essential practice for following Jesus. This week’s passage highlights the kind of people we’re called to walk with—those who do the will of God.
