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Jesus and the Fig Tree

September 27 | Discipleship Guide

Be Real Together:

Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together.
If you’re launching a new Group, trust and friendship take time to build. Take turns each week having someone share a bit of their story.

Read Together:  Matthew 21:18–22 CSB

Jesus encounters a fig tree covered in leaves but without fruit, and He causes it to wither. This unusual moment is connected to His cleansing of the temple and points to Jesus’ holy and righteous expectations for His people. The fig tree looked healthy from the outside but produced nothing of value. In the same way, Jesus calls us to more than an outward appearance of faith—we are saved by grace and created in Christ Jesus for good works. But we cannot produce the kind of fruit Jesus desires through our own strength. Fruitfulness comes through growing faith and prayer, abiding in Christ, and walking in step with the Holy Spirit.

The One Question:
If you only have time for one question, ask this one.

What does Jesus come expecting to find when He approaches you—and what kind of fruit is He growing in your life right now?

Grow Together:
Use these questions to go deeper with your Group or for personal reflection.

  1. What stands out to you most in this passage?
  2. Why do you think Jesus’ interaction with the fig tree is connected to what happened in the temple? What similarities do you see between the tree and the temple?
  3. The tree had plenty of leaves but no fruit. What do you think this picture teaches us about the difference between looking healthy spiritually and actually being fruitful?
  4. Ephesians 2:8–10 says that we are saved by grace through faith, but also that we are “created in Christ Jesus for good works.” How do grace and good works fit together?
  5. Jesus teaches that faith and prayer are connected to seeing God work. What does your current prayer life reveal about your trust in God? Where might He be inviting you to grow?
  6. Read John 15:4–5. Why is abiding in Christ essential to fruitfulness? What is one practical way you can draw closer to Jesus this week?
  7. Galatians 5:22–23 describes the fruit of the Spirit. Which fruit do you see God growing in you right now? Which one would you most like to see Him grow more deeply?

Pray Together:

  • Fruitfulness: Ask God to show you where He is growing fruit in your life and where He is inviting you to grow.
  • Faith: Ask God to deepen your faith and help you bring your requests to Him with trust.
  • Abiding: Ask Jesus to help you remain closely connected to Him rather than trying to produce spiritual fruit through your own strength.
  • The Holy Spirit: Ask the Spirit to lead, refine, and empower you to become increasingly loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled.

Next Steps:

  • Draw near to God & abide in Him. Choose one intentional practice this week—prayer, Scripture, worship, solitude, or simply slowing down and listening to God and make space to draw closer to Him.
  • Take a fruit inventory. Read Galatians 5:22–23 and honestly ask: Which of these qualities is growing in me? Which one needs attention?
  • Pray for fruit. Choose one area where you want to see God work and pray specifically about it throughout the week.
  • Look for one opportunity to do good. Ask God to show you one practical way you can be His hands and feet this week—serve someone, encourage someone, meet a need, or share the good news of Jesus.
  • Stay connected to the Vine. When you notice yourself trying to produce change through your own strength, pause and return to Jesus. Remind yourself: Apart from Him, I can do nothing.