1. The Story of Adam and Eve: In the Garden of Eden, God created a paradise for Adam and Eve to live in. He gave them everything they needed, including delicious fruit from the trees. However, God also gave them a single commandment – that they could not eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Unfortunately, Eve was tempted by the serpent and took a bite of the fruit, leading to the downfall of Adam and Eve and their expulsion from the Garden.
2. The Story of the Vine and the Branches: In John 15, Jesus tells a parable about a vine and its branches. He says that he is the vine and his followers are the branches. In order to bear good fruit, the branches must stay connected to the vine. Those who do not stay connected will wither away and be cut off.
3. The Parable of the Sower: In this parable, Jesus tells of a farmer who sowed seeds. Some of the seeds fell on rocky ground and could not grow, while others fell among thorns and were choked out. But the seeds that fell on good soil produced an abundance of fruit. This parable illustrates that the word of God must fall on fertile soil in order to take root and grow.
4. The Story of the Fig Tree: In Mark 11, Jesus approaches a fig tree that has no fruit on it. He curses the tree, causing it to wither and die. This story is often interpreted as a warning to the people of Israel, who were not bearing good fruit despite being given every advantage and opportunity. Like the fig tree, they were in danger of being cut off if they did not produce good fruit.
