Fruits of the Spirit

Introduction 

• What comes to mind when you think of the fruit of the Spirit?

 

• Read John 15. Take a moment to write your thoughts on the vine and branches analogy.

 

• Why do you think Jesus so often used seeds, fruit, and the like in his parables?

 

• Read Galatians 5:22-23. Which fruit of the Spirit comes easy to you? Why do you think that is the case?

 

• Which fruit of the Spirit do you struggle with and why?

 

• What do you hope to glean from studying the fruit of the Spirit?

 
 
Chapter 1: Fruit of the Spirit Defined 

• Why do you think Paul uses the word fruit to describe the characteristics that come from the Spirit?

 

• Why would God not instantly bestow these traits upon a person once they become a believer? What is the point of this slow-growing process?

 

• Which of these nine traits are you least familiar with? Why do you think it is included in this list?
• Read James 3:17-18. How does this passage compare with and support Galatians 5:22-23?

 

• Think of a person in your life who most completely displays these characteristics. Describe them and reflect upon how and why they display these traits.

 

• What in your life is keeping you from more fully walking in a way that displays these nine traits?

 
 
Chapter 2: Love 

• Read 1 John 4:7-21. Highlight or underline the word love. How many times does John use this word?

 

• There is so much to learn about love from this passage. Answer the following questions using this passage:

 

• Where does love come from?

 

• What do people who love have in common?

 

• How does God show his love to us?

 

• What is love?

 

• Why should we love others?

 

• How can we know and rely on God’s love?

 

• What effect does love have on fear?

 

• What else do you see in this passage related to love? How does it help you grow in this area of your life?

 
 
 
Chapter 3: Joy 

• Explain the difference between joy and happiness.

 

• On a scale of 1-10, how joyful are you? What is keeping you from being more joyful.

 

• Philippians is known as the “Book of Joy.” Look up the following verses and write what you learn about joy from them:

 

• Philippians 1:17-19

 

• Philippians 2:1-4

 

• Philippians 2:14-18

 

• Philippians 4:1

 

• Philippians 4:4-9

 

• Paul wrote Philippians from a Roman prison. How was he able to speak of joy in such dark circumstances?

 
 
Chapter 4: Peace 

• What in your life keeps you from having peace?

 
 

• Read Philippians 4:6-7. What do you think “peace that passes understanding” means?

 

• Describe a time when you felt at peace despite difficult circumstances. Where did this peace come from?

 

• Read Isaiah 23:6. How does a person keep in perfect peace according to this verse? What would it look like for you to live this out?

 

• Read John 14:26-27. What can you learn about peace from these words of Jesus?

 
 
Chapter 5: Longsuffering 

• Define the word longsuffering in your own words.

 

• How does longsuffering differ from patience and endurance?

 

• Read Colossians 1:10-12. How does Paul link longsuffering with the following traits:
  • Patience
  • Joy
  • Thanksgiving
  • Knowledge

 

• Read Exodus 34:5-7. How is God longsuffering according to this passage?

 
 
 
Chapter 6: Gentleness 

• We looked in this chapter to the life of King David and his statement in 2 Samuel that God’s gentleness had made him great. Explain in your own words what David meant by this.

 
 

• Psalm 23 was written by King David. Read this Psalm and reflect upon it. List all the ways it shows the gentleness of God.

 
 

• How has God been gentle to you?

 
 

• What people in your life are you gentle toward?

 
 

• What people in your life do you struggle to display gentleness toward? How can you grow in this area?

 
 
 
Chapter 7: Goodness 
Look up the following verses. Write what you learn about the goodness of God.

• Exodus 33:19

 

• Psalm 23:6

 

• Psalm 25:7

 

• Psalm 31:19

 

• Psalm 52:1

 

• Isaiah 63:7

 

• Romans 2:4

 
 
Chapter 8: Faithfulness 
Consider the lives of the following Biblical figures. Describe how God was faithful to them:

• Noah (Genesis 6-8)

 

• Abraham (Genesis 17-20)

 

• Joseph (Genesis 37-39)

 

• David (2 Samuel 12)

 

• Peter (John 21)

 

• Paul (Acts 9)

 
 
How has God been faithful to you in your life as he was to these men?
 
 
 
Chapter 9: Meekness 

• Define meekness in your own words.

 

• Read Ephesians 4:1-4. What two other fruits of the Spirit does Paul link meekness with? Explain how these three fruits work together.

 

• Read the Beatitudes, found in Matthew 5:1-12. Jesus lists blessed people who are defined by certain characteristics, meekness among them. Reflect upon this list as you answer the following questions:

 

• How are all of these people similar?

 

• What kinds of things will these people inherit?

 

• Why do you think the meek will inherit the earth? What do you think this means?

 

• How does Jesus himself exhibit these qualities?

 
 
Chapter 10: Temperance 

• In what areas of your life do you struggle with self-control?

 
 

• Read 2 Peter 1:5-8 where Peter gives a list of qualities which we are to build upon each other. Reflect upon this as you answer the following questions:

 

• How does faith lead to virtue?

 

• How does virtue lead to knowledge?

 

• How does knowledge lead to temperance?

 

• How does temperance lead to patience?

 

• How does patience lead to godliness?

 

• How does godliness lead to brotherly kindness?

 

• How does brotherly kindness lead to charity?

 

• What does Peter say about fruitfulness at the end of this passage? How does this confirm the truth found in Galatians 5:22-23?