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The fruit of the Spirit

Learn how love and dependence on Christ transform relationships.

1. 1. Read and discover - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Galatians 5:22-23

   ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith,

   ²³ gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Paul describes qualities of life led by the Spirit, not a checklist for ranking others’ spiritual worth.

   Reflect

   • Which fruit of the Spirit would you like to practice more in a particular relationship?

   Put it into practice

   Choose a relationship in which to practice patience or kindness this week.

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2. 2. The true vine - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   John 15:1-5

   ¹ “I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer.

   ² Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.

   ³ You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.

   ⁴ Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me.

   ⁵ I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   The vine describes continuing dependence on Jesus; fruit grows through abiding rather than self-sufficiency.

   Reflect

   • What does staying connected to Jesus mean in the picture of a branch and vine?

   Put it into practice

   Set aside daily time to hear and practice one teaching of Jesus.

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3. 3. Love that gives meaning - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   1 Corinthians 13:1-7

   ¹ If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.

   ² If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing.

   ³ If I give away all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.

   ⁴ Love is patient and is kind. Love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud,

   ⁵ doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;

   ⁶ doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;

   ⁷ bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Paul places love within a discussion of gifts and community; extraordinary abilities do not replace patience, kindness and truth.

   Reflect

   • Why do gifts and service need to be accompanied by love?

   Put it into practice

   Serve patiently even when your ability receives no attention.

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4. 4. Freedom to serve - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Galatians 5:13-16

   ¹³ For you, brothers, were called for freedom. Only don’t use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love be servants to one another.

   ¹⁴ For the whole law is fulfilled in one word, in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

   ¹⁵ But if you bite and devour one another, be careful that you don’t consume one another.

   ¹⁶ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   Paul distinguishes freedom from selfishness and directs it toward loving service; walking by the Spirit changes relationships.

   Reflect

   • How could personal freedom harm someone else?

   Put it into practice

   Use an opportunity you have for another person’s benefit.

   Next lesson →

5. 5. Putting on compassion - Read lesson

   World English Bible

   Colossians 3:12-17

   ¹² Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness, humility, and perseverance;

   ¹³ bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, if any man has a complaint against any; even as Christ forgave you, so you also do.

   ¹⁴ Above all these things, walk in love, which is the bond of perfection.

   ¹⁵ And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body, and be thankful.

   ¹⁶ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; in all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your heart to the Lord.

   ¹⁷ Whatever you do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

   Read the full chapter

   Understanding the passage

   The community is called to compassion, patience, forgiveness and gratitude; clothing imagery portrays love as visible habits.

   Reflect

   • Which habit does your community need during disagreement?

   Put it into practice

   Practice a patient response before reacting in conflict.