Fruit of the Spirit (2)

God wants us to have many fruits

Application:

Allowing the Holy Spirit to develop in us the fruit of patience, kindness and goodness.

Materials:

For each young person:
A printed copy of the Study Sheet below.
A modern translation of the Bible or printed out copies of the Scripture verses.
Pens or pencils.

Click here for the Study Sheet

Text:

Galatians 5:22-23.

Memory Verse:

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23).

The Study:

The second study concentrates on the fruits of patience, kindness and goodness. Possible answers are again included for each question below.

Divide the group into teams of three to five, and get them to study the Scriptures below and complete their Study Sheets. A person from each team then reports back and shares their findings. Conclude the study with a brief summary.

Introduction:

In Romans 8:9, we read that:

"Those controlled by the (their) sinful nature cannot please God.
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit,
if the Spirit of God lives in you."

We belong to Christ and this verse tells us that the Holy Spirit lives in us. The Holy Spirit works in our lives and changes us into people who want to love and serve God, and please Him in all they do.

The Bible talks about the "Fruit of the Spirit" and not "Fruits of the Spirit", because as the Holy Spirit works in our lives, and a rich and beautiful character grows. Each of us belong to God and the Fruit of the Spirit marks us as being God's own child!

And so it is the work of the Holy Spirit to transform our characters and the qualities of patience, kindness and goodness are developed in us by the Holy Spirit.

Study Sheet

D. PATIENCE:

Read 1 Peter 2:23. What happened to Christ in this passage and how did He react? (He was insulted and beaten by the Jewish leaders, but patiently endured suffering and did not retaliate or make any threats).

Why is patience essential in farming? Read James 5:7-10 (Farmers have to wait for the early rains that cause crops to grow, and later rains that ripen the crops for harvesting so that fields can yield its valuable crop).

How are we to react to the Lord's second coming? (We are to wait patiently for it just as farmers wait patiently for the autumn and spring rains).

In what areas do you need to be more patient?

E. KINDNESS:

Give three examples of where Jesus showed kindness to people. (To Nicodemus who came to Jesus at night, to the official at Capernaum whose son was dying, to the woman who was caught in adultery).

List some needs that Paul had after his shipwreck. Read Acts 28:1-2 (A welcome, dry clothes, food and shelter, and a fire to warm him).

What did the islanders do? (They showed kindness and welcomed Paul and the survivors and built a fire to warm them because it was raining and cold).

How can you show practical kindness to people this week?

F. GOODNESS:

Read 1 Peter 2:11-12. What should our good deeds achieve? (To glorify God).

How can our goodness be used as a testimony for God? (By living good lives among people in the world so that they will see our good deeds).

What are two characteristics of the goodness of the Lord? See Exodus 33:19 (His mercy and compassion for us sinners).

What are some of the characteristics of our goodness? (Goodness is love in action, and being good, useful, helpful and morally upright).

The leader should discuss and summarise the findings of what was learnt about the Fruit of the Spirit from the Bible, and how the teens should respond to this teaching. Close with a prayer that the Holy Spirit will fill each person with patience, kindness and goodness.

God Bless!