Focus:  Why did Jesus want the disciples to remain in Jerusalem until He sent the Spirit?  He seems to give the Spirit a lot more credit than we do today.  From life given to animated dry bones, to tangible wind and flames over the heads of people who suddenly could all understand each other in their own language, these experiences with the Holy Spirit seem more like what Jesus talked about.  The disciples were quick to recognize and to submit to the work of the Holy Spirit.  Do you regularly look for and recognize the work of the unleashed Spirit, and the life He has breathed into you? Main Text: John 15:26–27; 16:4b–15

Focus:  Too often we act like we are not part of this world.  Or that if we have been unleashed, it is from the responsibility toward the world.  We huddle together, like the disciples in the upper room, instead of living our faith outside the surroundings and safety of other Christians.  Jesus’ prayer for His people, as He is leaving the world, is recorded for their benefit and for ours.  God will protect us and keep us from the Evil one, He will teach us His word, which is truth, and we are not separated from the world, but we are sent into it, not to become like the world, but to be like Jesus in the world. Main Text: John 17:11b–19

Focus:  Jesus loved us like the Father showed Him love.  We are to love each other like Jesus showed us love.  Jesus loved the Father by following His commands, so we’re supposed to love Jesus by following His commands.  His command is simply to love each other.  Why doesn’t the world know Christians as people who give up their lives for each other and by how much we love? Main Text: John 15:9–17

Focus:  The Lord works to prune from our lives those things that threaten to hold us back from living as His instruments.  He cuts the leashes that we so willingly accept or even put on ourselves.  The connection that He has remade, the one we were created to have, is connection to Jesus, the true vine, the source of all of our life and good things.  What might Jesus be working to prune in your life today, to free you to blossom? Main Text: John 15:1–8

Focus:  The Good Shepherd willingly gave up His life for His sheep.  With His resurrection He was unleashed on His flock and the world.  Could there possibly be a better Shepherd to follow, than one you know will give up His life to keep you, because He already has?  Main Text: John 10:11–18