The Unfruitful Fig Tree
Personal difficulty doesn’t always equal personal sin. In fact, it is often in those times that our Heavenly Father is nourishing and preparing the repentant for fruit-bearing to come.
KEY VERSES
Luke 13:1-9 (NASB)
1 Now on that very occasion there were some present who reported to Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 And Jesus responded and said to them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans just because they have suffered this fate? 3 No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or do you think that those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them were worse offenders than all the other people who live in Jerusalem? 5 No, I tell you, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” 6 And He began telling this parable: “A man had a fig tree which had been planted in his vineyard; and he came looking for fruit on it and did not find any. 7 And he said to the vineyard-keeper, ‘Look! For three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree without finding any. Cut it down! Why does it even use up the ground?’ 8 But he answered and said to him, ‘Sir, leave it alone for this year too, until I dig around it and put in fertilizer; 9 and if it bears fruit next year, fine; but if not, cut it down.’”
UNDERSTANDING
What is something that you needed explained to you at one point (i.e. how to operate a new app on your phone,) or something you wish someone would explain to you now?
When you have to explain something you think is simple, are you more likely to: become easily annoyed, patiently and gladly share your knowledge, launch into a metaphor or share a visual, or something else? Why?
What does Jesus’s regular use of parables teach you about Him?
What would you say was the tone of Jesus’s words in this passage? Why do you think this might have been the case?
What was the problem with the fig tree? Why was it necessary for it to show fruit? What does this have to do with the people with whom Jesus spoke?
If Jesus’s audience were to understand that they were represented by the fig tree, then what was the fruit they were to produce?
If the fruit isn’t good works, then what is it?
How do we get to the point of repentance?
If repentance is the fruit that is necessary to avoid perishing, then how do we get there? It is critical to identify what the fruit is, but what good is that knowledge if we have no idea how to produce it?
What can we learn about God the Father from this parable?
Why are these traits critical to understand?
APPLICATION
Pastor Jeff made the following points of application for this week’s parable: God is patient and willing to forgive. Repentance is necessary. Believers are to bear fruit. Which of these three truths do you most need to hear, understand, and apply to your life? Explain.
Pastor Jeff also asked this question: “Is the Lord finding fruit in your life or does He walk away empty-handed each time He passes by?” How would you counsel a person who isn’t sure how to answer that question?
If “the way to bear fruit is to allow Jesus, the Gardener, to dig around, aerate your soil, fertilize you some more, and keep a careful eye on you,” then what do you need to do going forward?
WANT TO DIVE DEEPER?
Joining a group is a great way to know people and strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. Take a look at available groups to get plugged in to and find the group that is right for you.
GIVING
Everything that happens at LCC is because of your generous gifts. When you give to God through LCC, you're helping reach thousands with the Gospel each week and are making a difference for the Lowcountry and around the world.