Excerpted with permission from the Rhythms for Life Bible Study by Lifeway Adults. Copyright 2026, Lifeway Press.
"⁴Remain in me, and I in you. Just as a branch is unable to produce fruit by itself unless it remains on the vine, neither can you unless you remain in me. ⁵I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without me."
John 15:4-5 CSB
Have you ever felt like you were just "spinning your wheels"? Sometimes, we exhaust a lot of energy on something that doesn't end up amounting to much. Like a car stuck in the mud, it doesn't matter how hard you try; you are not going anywhere or accomplishing anything. The routine practice of spiritual disciplines can feel a lot like that. God's heart is for you to experience so much more in these daily intentional moments. He intends for your spiritual life to have a lasting effect on your everyday life.
Remaining in Christ may not change your to-do list from day to day, but it will change your focus as you walk through that list. In other words, if you're establishing rhythms of reading your Bible, praying, resting, worshiping, engaging in a community of faith, serving, and being generous, that is great! But know that there is a difference between legalistic religious activity and engaging in spiritual rhythms for abundant life in Christ. The goal of spiritual rhythms isn't the routine—it's staying connected to Jesus, so His life flows through you.
Do not chase after the list of religious practices; chase after Jesus. When you do that, the outcome is not achievement, it's adoration. You do not end up feeling like there is still so much to do; you end up being joyful about all He has done in and for you. Instead of impressing other Christians with your knowledge, you end up blessing them with your hope. Instead of spinning your wheels on temporary pursuits, you make meaningful, eternal investments.
God has designed you for more than just getting by; He has created you to bear much fruit—both in your own life and in the lives of other people. And that can only happen when you remain in Him