John 15 Bible Study

What does Jesus' statement, "I am the true vine" (John 15:1) imply?
There are also false vines.

What is a "vinedresser" (John 15:1)?
The person who "dresses" or takes care of the vine for optimal fruit production.

Where is Jesus as He talks about "vine" and "vinedresser" (John 15:1)?
The previous verse ended with Jesus' command, "Arise, let us go from here" (John 14:31), and the next location mentioned is "Brook Kidron" (John 18:1), which runs just east of Jerusalem, so Jesus and His eleven disciples are somewhere between it and the place of their last supper. Given Jesus' record of using analogies that the hearers can see as they listen to Him (see I Am the Light of the World and Rivers of Living Water), they could be in a vineyard.

What does it mean to "prune" (John 15:2)?
Pruning a branch involves ripping out any diseased parts, killing bugs and even cutting away seemingly healthy but unwanted shoots so that the branch grows stronger in the direction that the vinedresser wants. From the branch's perspective, being pruned can be uncomfortable, even painful, and at times also appear to make no sense. But "every branch" (John 15:2) being pruned should trust that the vinedresser knows what He is doing and be grateful for His care and attention. The cause for concern rests with the branches that are not being pruned, for that means either the branch is perfect, or far more likely, the vinedresser is about to "take away" that branch because it "does not bear fruit" (John 15:2).

What does the "branch" (John 15:2) represent?
People who are attached to Jesus.

Are they Christians?
Not those that do "not bear fruit" and are taken by God the Father "away" (John 15:2) from the vine - i.e., Jesus - and are no longer attached to Him.

Which branch has just been taken away from Jesus and is no longer attached to Him?
Judas Iscariot (see One of You will Betray Me).

What does the "fruit" (John 15:2) represent?
What God has purposed every Christian to produce with his or her life to serve and glorify Him as a part of the body of Christ.

In what state is Jesus leaving His disciples as He heads to the cross?
Pruned: "You are already clean" (John 15:3).

Does that mean they will never get dirty again?
No, but the Holy Spirit will clean them whenever they get dirty.

What is the cleansing agent?
The Word of God: “You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you" (John 15:3).

To remain "clean" (John 15:3), what must all Christians continue to read and obey?