April Schedule & Message Recap (Life In the Vine)

Dear Parents of Student Ministries,

First off, for scheduling purposes, April is an odd month.

• 4/5 – This Easter Sunday: No Student Ministries.
• 4/12 – Student Ministries meets as normal.
• 4/19 – 25th Anniversary Sunday: No Student Ministries.
• 4/26 – Student Ministries meets as normal.

Last night, Kris Drent shared a very important message entitled “Life In the Vine” from John 15:1–11. You can watch or read the message on our website: https://www.gbcaz.org/student-ministry/life-in-the-vine/

Kris started the message by saying that if he only had one chance to talk to the students, this would be the message he would bring.

The central challenge was simple but critical for every one of us to consider: Which kind of branch are you? Jesus identifies only two kinds: (1) those genuinely connected to him, bearing fruit the Father produces in them, and (2) those who are externally around the vine but drawing no real life from it. Kris unpacked what it means for Jesus’ followers to abide in him. It entails not striving to manufacture fruit through religious performance or sheer willpower, but staying connected to Christ through his Word, trust, and daily dependence. He also explained why the Father’s pruning in hard seasons is evidence of life, salvation, and relationship, not punishment. It is critical for students and all of us to realize that we can do nothing apart from Jesus, especially bear fruit, which depends entirely on the true Vine. The good news is that though a dead branch cannot make itself alive, Christ’s death and resurrection offers real, joyful life to anyone willing to trust and abide in him.

I’d encourage you to discuss weekly what your students have learned from the Sunday morning sermon, their Student Ministries lesson, and their daily time in the Word. It is our joy to come alongside you in the evangelism and discipleship of your students. That truly is the purpose of the ministry — not something you send your students to so that we train them, but rather a group of servants who partner with you and support you as the church in fulfilling your God-given responsibility to train up your children. It is amazing to watch God work miraculously to bring new life to many in this ministry. We labor and pray to be faithful servants that the Holy Spirit would be pleased to use in this way.

Your servant for His glory,
Jacob Hantla