Galatians 5:22-23:

"The Fruit of the Spirit"

How to use this study guide:

  • You need to a Bible
  • You need a journal
  • The time frame anything from 5 minutes to 30 minutes (depends on you)

Lesson Structure:

  • Start with prayer
  • Bible reading
  • Discussion
  • Closing prayer

Stage 1: Desired Results

Established Goals:

  • Learners (families) will understand the significance of living by the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22—23.
  • They will identify the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit and reflect on how they can practice these virtues in their family life.

Understandings:

  • The fruit of the Spirit reflects the nature of a life transformed by God’s Spirit.
  • These virtues (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control) form the foundation of Christian living.
  • These fruits are interconnected and foster healthy relationships with God and others.

Essential Questions:

  • What does it mean to bear the fruit of the Spirit in daily life?
  • How do the fruit of the Spirit affect our relationships with others, especially within the family?
  • How can we cultivate these virtues as a family?

Learners Will Know:

  • The nine fruits of the Spirit as listed in Galatians 5:22-23.
  • The scriptural foundation for each of these virtues.
  • The importance of allowing the Holy Spirit to shape their behavior and attitudes.

Learners Will Be Able To:

  • Reflect on and apply each of the fruit of the Spirit in their family life.
  • Pray together as a family for the Holy Spirit’s guidance in cultivating these virtues.
  • Use hymns as a tool for worship and reflection on the fruit of the Spirit.

Stage 2: Evidence

Performance Tasks:

  • Families will reflect on each fruit of the Spirit over five days, using devotionals and scriptures to deepen their understanding and practice.
  • Family members will share personal experiences of practicing or struggling with specific fruits and encourage one another.
  • Families will sing hymns together that align with the virtues being studied.

Other Evidence:

  • Group discussions on how each fruit can be cultivated in their daily lives.
  • Written prayers or journaling reflecting on how to grow in the fruit of the Spirit.
  • A closing reflection on how each family member has seen growth in themselves or others.

Stage 3: Learning Plan

Day 1: Love, Joy, and Peace

Focus: Understanding how love, joy, and peace are central to the Christian life.

  • Scripture:
  • Discussion Points:
    • What does it mean to love as Christ loves?
    • How can we find joy in difficult circumstances?
    • How do we experience the peace that comes from the Holy Spirit?
  • Family Activity:
    • Share stories of times when a family member showed love, brought joy, or created peace in the home.
  • Hymn: “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” (Charles Wesley, 1747)
    • History: Written by Charles Wesley, this hymn reflects divine love and sanctification, linking beautifully with the theme of the fruit of the Spirit.

Day 2: Patience and Kindness

Focus: Learning to show patience and kindness in daily interactions.

  • Scripture:
  • Discussion Points:
    • How does patience reflect trust in God’s timing?
    • Why is kindness an essential part of Christian character?
  • Family Activity:
    • Challenge each family member to practice extra patience and kindness with one another throughout the day. Share their experiences in the evening.
  • Hymn: “Great is Thy Faithfulness” (Thomas Chisholm, 1923)
    • History: Written by Thomas Chisholm, this hymn celebrates God’s unwavering patience and kindness towards His people, fitting for reflecting on these virtues.

Day 3: Goodness and Faithfulness

Focus: Living out goodness and faithfulness as fruits of the Spirit.

  • Scripture:
  • Discussion Points:
    • What does it mean to live a life characterized by goodness?
    • How can we remain faithful to God in our everyday lives?
  • Family Activity:
    • Spend time as a family identifying acts of goodness and faithfulness in each other and the broader community.
  • Hymn: “Goodness of God” (Bethel Music, 2019)
    • History: This modern hymn was written as a response to the overwhelming goodness of God, making it a perfect companion to discussing the virtue of goodness.

Day 4: Gentleness

Focus: Cultivating gentleness in words and actions.

  • Scripture:
  • Discussion Points:
    • How does being gentle reflect the character of Jesus?
    • In what areas of life do we struggle with gentleness?
  • Family Activity:
    • Create a “gentleness jar” where family members can drop notes when they witness acts of gentleness in the home.
  • Hymn: “Be Still My Soul” (Katharina von Schlegel, 1752)
    • History: Written by Katharina von Schlegel, this hymn emphasizes the quietness and gentleness of trusting God’s plan, aligning with the gentleness taught in Galatians 5.

Day 5: Self-Control

Focus: Learning to practice self-control through the help of the Holy Spirit.

  • Scripture:
  • Discussion Points:
    • Why is self-control necessary in the Christian walk?
    • How can we rely on the Holy Spirit to help us practice self-control?
  • Family Activity:
    • Have each family member share an area in which they need more self-control. Pray together for growth in this area.
  • Hymn: “Take My Life and Let It Be” (Frances Havergal, 1874)
    • History: Frances Havergal’s hymn speaks to surrendering all aspects of life to Christ, including exercising self-control and discipline under His lordship.

Chain References for Deeper Study:

Hymns Summary:

1. “Love Divine, All Loves Excelling” (Charles Wesley, 1747):

    • Wesley wrote this hymn to capture the transforming love of God, a core part of the fruit of the Spirit. It is often considered a prayer for God’s love to work in believers’ hearts.

2. “Great is Thy Faithfulness” (Thomas Chisholm, 1923):

    • Inspired by Lamentations 3:22-23, this hymn celebrates God’s steadfast faithfulness, a theme that resonates with faithfulness in Galatians 5:22.

3. “Goodness of God” (Bethel Music, 2019):

    • This modern hymn speaks to God’s constant goodness, fitting well with the fruit of goodness and how we can reflect God’s goodness in our lives.

4. “Take My Life and Let It Be” (Frances Havergal, 1874):

    • Frances Havergal’s classic hymn reflects total surrender and self-control, allowing God to guide every aspect of life.

This family devotional plan invites deep reflection and practical application of the fruits of the Spirit, blending scripture, discussion, worship, and modern as well as traditional hymns to strengthen family bonds in faith.

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"The Fruit of the Spirit"