Rooted in the Vine

The Support Test

For this activity, called The Support Test, you will need small sticks, larger branches, tape or rubber bands, and bunches of grapes with string loops for hanging. Youth will try to attach the small stick to the branch using only the last two inches and a limited amount of material, then hang the grapes on the stick to see if it can hold.

The goal is for them to notice how weak connections fail but stronger connections succeed, leading into the lesson about Jesus as the vine.

You just tried to make a small stick strong enough to hold a bunch of grapes. Some of you probably saw the stick slip, break, or fall off because the connection was too weak. Others might have found a way to make it work better with stronger support. This simple activity shows us something important: how well we are connected matters. If the connection is weak, it will not hold up when weight is added. If it is strong, it can carry much more.

Think about what this means for your own life. We all face struggles, pressures, and challenges. School, sports, family, friends, and the future can sometimes feel like a lot to carry. If your support system is weak, it is hard to handle the weight. But if you are strongly connected to something solid, you will have the strength to keep going. Just like the stick needed a strong connection to hold the grapes, you need strong connections in your life to hold everything you face.

Now, here is where the Gospel connects. Jesus says He is the vine and we are the branches. That means He is the strong support we need. Without Him, we are like a branch that falls off and dries up. With Him, we stay strong, and our lives produce fruit that matters. In a moment we are going to hear this Gospel reading from John. As you listen, think about your own life. Ask yourself, am I firmly connected to Jesus, the true vine? Or am I trying to carry the weight on my own?

Discussion questions:
What happened when you tried to make the stick hold the grapes?
Why do you think it failed or succeeded?
What could you have done to make it stronger?
How does this remind you of your need for support in real life?

Consider what we hear about finding support in Jesus in John 15:1-8:

Jesus said to his disciples: “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine grower. He takes away every branch in me that does not bear fruit, and every one that does he prunes so that it bears more fruit.

You are already pruned because of the word that I spoke to you. Remain in me, as I remain in you.

Just as a branch cannot bear fruit on its own unless it remains on the vine, so neither can you unless you remain in me.

I am the vine, you are the branches. Whoever remains in me and I in him will bear much fruit, because without me you can do nothing.

Anyone who does not remain in me will be thrown out like a branch and wither; people will gather them and throw them into a fire and they will be burned.

If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask for whatever you want and it will be done for you. By this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples.”

John 15:1-8 – the Gospel for the 5th Sunday of Easter Year B

When Jesus says that He is the vine and we are the branches, He is giving us a picture that is simple but very real. Think about a grapevine. The vine itself is thick and strong. It runs deep into the ground and pulls up the water and nutrients that the branches need. The branches cannot live on their own. If they break off, they dry up and die. The grapes shrivel and rot.

Jesus wants us to understand that He is like that strong vine. He is the one who gives us strength and life. Without Him, we are weak. With Him, we can grow and produce fruit that lasts.

This fruit is not grapes, of course. It is the good things that come out of a life connected to Jesus. It is love, kindness, patience, forgiveness, and service. These are the things that show the world we are disciples. But we cannot do them well on our own. We might try for a while, but we will run out of energy.

That is why Jesus says we must remain in Him. To remain means to stay close, to hold on, and to keep our hearts open to Him every single day. Prayer helps us remain in Him. Reading Scripture helps us remain in Him. Going to Mass and receiving the Eucharist helps us remain in Him. These are ways we stay connected, just like branches stay connected to the vine.

It is also important to notice that vines do not grow just one branch. They grow many. All the branches are connected to the same vine, and they grow side by side. That is what our life in the Church is like. We are not supposed to follow Jesus all alone. We are meant to be part of a community. Sometimes this is hard, because people can let us down. But Jesus calls us to stick together, encourage one another, and remind each other to keep our eyes on Him.

A healthy grapevine does not have branches competing against each other. They grow together, and they all share the strength of the same vine. In the same way, our friendships and community in faith help us to keep growing and to bear fruit.

Finally, this Gospel reminds us of God’s promise. Jesus says if we remain in Him, we will bear much fruit. That means our lives will matter. We will make a difference. We will help others see God’s love. But He also warns us that without Him, we can do nothing. This is both a challenge and a comfort.

It is a challenge, because it means we cannot just drift through life doing whatever we want and expect to grow as disciples. It takes effort to remain in Him. But it is also a comfort, because we do not have to depend only on ourselves. Jesus gives us His strength, His grace, and His support.

So when you feel weak, or when you think you cannot handle what is in front of you, remember the vine. Stay close to Jesus. Let Him feed you and strengthen you. And then you will see fruit in your life, fruit that blesses others and glorifies God.

When youth meet in small groups, the goal is to give them a safe place to share their thoughts and listen to each other. Encourage them to be honest, but also respectful. Remind them that there are no wrong answers, and that each person’s experience matters. Try to keep the conversation balanced so that everyone has a chance to speak. You can guide the group by asking follow-up questions or inviting quieter members to share, but let the discussion flow naturally.

• What do you think Jesus means when He says He is the vine and we are the branches?
• Have you ever felt like a branch that was not connected to the vine? What was that like?
• What are some ways you can stay connected to Jesus in your daily life?
• How does prayer, reading the Bible, or going to Mass help you remain in Jesus?
• Why do you think Jesus wants us to grow together as a community instead of trying to follow Him alone?
• Who in your life helps you stay rooted in your faith, and how do they do that?
• What kind of fruit do you hope your life shows when you remain close to Jesus?
• What is one step you could take this week to strengthen your connection to Jesus, the true vine?

This week we want to take what we learned and put it into action. Your challenge is to spend at least ten minutes each day in prayer or reading the Bible. Use that time to focus on Jesus and remember that He is the one who gives you strength. When you stay close to Him, you will be able to handle the challenges in your life with more courage and peace.

We know it is not always easy to find time. School, work, and activities can make your days feel full. Sometimes you might not feel motivated. But this challenge is about making Jesus a priority. Even ten minutes can make a big difference when you use that time to connect with Him.

Think of it like staying connected to the vine. If you spend time with Jesus every day, you will grow stronger and your faith will grow too. You will be more ready to face whatever comes your way.

So give it a try this week. Set aside those ten minutes and commit to it. Ask Jesus to be with you, guide you, and help you. Trust that He will give you the strength you need.

Let’s take a moment now to pray together and bring our hearts to Jesus. Close your eyes and be still.

Lord Jesus, you are the vine and we are the branches. Thank you for giving us life and strength. Thank you for never leaving us alone. Help us to stay close to you every day.

We ask you to guide us when life feels hard. Give us courage when we are weak. Remind us to turn to you in prayer and to listen to your Word. Show us how to bear good fruit in our lives by loving others the way you love us.

Bless our friendships and our community. Help us support one another and stay rooted in you. May we grow together as your disciples and bring glory to God in all we do.

We ask this in your holy name, Jesus. Amen.

Themes

• Staying Close to Jesus: Jesus is the vine and we are the branches. When we remain in Him, we find strength and life. Without Him, we cannot grow in faith.
• Bearing Good Fruit: Our lives show love, kindness, and service when we are rooted in Jesus. This fruit blesses others and glorifies God. It is the sign of a true disciple.
• Power of Prayer: Prayer keeps us connected to Jesus. It helps us hear His voice and trust His guidance. It is one way we remain in Him.
• Strength in Scripture: Reading the Bible feeds our faith. God’s Word teaches us and shapes our hearts. It helps us stay close to Jesus every day.
• Grace of the Sacraments: The Eucharist and Reconciliation draw us into deeper union with Christ. They heal us and give us strength. They help us remain firmly attached to Him.
• Need for Community: Just as branches grow together, we need each other in faith. Friendship, encouragement, and accountability keep us strong. We grow best when we are not alone.
• Trusting God’s Care: The Father is the vine grower who prunes us. Sometimes pruning is hard, but it helps us grow. God works for our good even in challenges.
• Living as Disciples: To remain in Jesus means to follow Him. It means choosing love, forgiveness, and service in daily life. It makes our faith active and real.
• Dependence on Christ: Jesus says without Him we can do nothing. Our own strength will fail, but His never does. When we rely on Him, we find true support.
• Glorifying the Father: When we bear fruit, God is praised. Our lives point others to His love. This is our purpose as followers of Jesus.
• Gift of Grace: Jesus invites us to remain in Him as a free gift. We cannot earn His love. We only need to receive it and stay close to Him.

Background Material

The metaphor of the vine and branches in John 15:1-8 provides a powerful image of the relationship between Jesus and his followers. Jesus identifies himself as the true vine, which provides the branches with the necessary nutrients and support for growth. Without the vine, the branches would wither and die, unable to bear fruit. Jesus emphasizes the importance of remaining in him, which means staying connected to him and relying on him for nourishment and strength. This connection is essential for fruitful Christian living.

The passage also highlights the role of God as the vine grower. Just as a vine grower prunes the branches to ensure their growth and productivity, so too does God prune his followers to refine and strengthen their faith. This can be a painful process, but it ultimately leads to greater spiritual maturity and fruitfulness.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes the importance of prayer in nurturing a close relationship with Jesus. Prayer is described as the “life of the new heart” (CCC 2697), which means that it is essential for spiritual growth and vitality. Prayer allows us to deepen our relationship with God, to seek his guidance and support, and to offer him our worship and gratitude.

In addition to personal prayer, the catechism also emphasizes the importance of seeking the support and guidance of other believers. The entire Church, in union with Mary, prays for the coming of the kingdom (CCC 2634), and this sense of community and shared purpose is an essential aspect of Christian living. By relying on the support of others, we can encourage each other, hold each other accountable, and grow together in faith.

Overall, the message of John 15:1-8 and the teachings of the catechism emphasize the importance of a close relationship with Jesus, which is nurtured through prayer, community, and reliance on his strength and support. This relationship is the foundation for fruitful Christian living, which involves bearing fruit in the form of good works and a deepening love for God and others.

Music Suggestions

• Abide with Me
• Remain in Me, I am the Vine
• I Am the Vine
• Goodness of God
• Jesus, Only Jesus
• In Christ Alone
• Cornerstone