The Fruit of the Spirit – Teaching Plan
Key Thought: The fruit of the Spirit is evidence that we have a deeply rooted relationship with Christ. Christ develops this fruit in us as we abide in Him.
1. Have a volunteer read Galatians 5:22.
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a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. Why is love the first and foremost aspect of the fruit of the Spirit? How does love affect all the aspects of this fruit?
c. Personal Application : Where does your life lack the quality of love? How can we show others the love of God? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your relatives states: “I love people most of the time, but when someone is rude or irritating, or does something or says something against me or my family, then they’re gonna get something other than love from me.” How would you respond to your relatives?
2. Have a volunteer read I Corinthians 13:4.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. Why does genuine kindness have such positive appeal to other people?
c. Personal Application : How do you feel when you do not exhibit the fruit of the Spirit in tense circumstances? What feelings do you have when you are unloving, impatient, or unkind? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your friends states, “Is the fruit of the Spirit something we develop, or is it a gift given to us automatically from God?” How would you respond to your friend?
3. Have a volunteer read Galatians 5:23, Matthew 5:5.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. Why is gentleness and self-control so important for Christian leadership?
c. Personal Application: What misery comes when we do not exercise self-control?
Have you ever lost self-control? What were the results? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : One of your neighbors states, “What’s the difference between being filled with the Spirit and living a religious life? Does one lead to the other? Should one connect with the other?” How would you respond to your neighbor?
4. Have a volunteer read John 14:27.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. What is peace to you? How is peace related to the work of the Holy Spirit?
c. Personal Application : How much peace, joy, and patience do you experience in your life? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study : Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.
Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).
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