Fruit of the Spirit Bible Study Wk. 1 Pt. 2
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Concluding Thoughts on Chapter 1 – Introduction
This past week, I happened upon a verse from Genesis Chapter 49, where Jacob is blessing his sons. He says,
Joseph is a fruitful vine, a fruitful vine near a spring, whose branches climb over a wall. (Genesis 49:22, NIV)
With that I’m reminded of a house we lived in when my kids were still young. A beautiful little character home with grape vines spilling over the property. At the back of the yard, in behind the shed we had raspberry bushes, and rhubarb. I guess you could say that we were a hot spot for the neighbourhood kids who enjoyed picking berries and filling their tummies.
The problem was, my kids didn’t understand that at all. They didn’t think it was fair that other kids were enjoying the food that we grew. And so, one day I sat them down to explain how this fruit wasn’t ours.
“If it hangs over our property,” I said, “then it belongs to them too. And besides that, we have plenty enough to share.”
The more I thought this, the more I realized that the fruit we bear isn’t ours. Joseph’s branches spilled over a wall, they reached out to others, and in doing so, they brought glory to God.
The fruit we bear belongs to the gardener to be used by Him and to bring glory to Him. May we always remember to reach out, as branches that climb over a wall, bringing peace and love and goodness to others for the honor and glory of God.
Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits. (Song of Solomon 4:16, KJV)
Answer Key – Chapter 1
Q. What is the true meaning of patience?
Not our ability to wait, but how we act while we are waiting.
Q. What is the difference between fruit and vegetables, and why is it important?
Fruit contains seeds that in turn will plant themselves in the hearts of those around us, and thereby spread the faith. Vegetables don’t.
Q. What makes the bitter sweet, and how?
The cross. There’s transforming power in the message of the cross, and when that cross takes center stage in the heart of man, it makes the bitter sweet.
Q. Why did Jesus curse the fig tree in Mark 11?
There were leaves on the tree giving Jesus the impression that there would also be fruit. And so, like many today, the tree was appearing one way and living another.
Q. What happens to trees that are not exposed to the wind?
They do not develop stress wood and are weakened.
Q. When Jesus explains the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:18-23, what does He say about the seeds that fall on good soil?
He that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Q. What do you think the soil represents in this parable?
Those that hear the Word of God and live by it.
Q. Which fruit of the Spirit do you feel are most evident in your life?
(This answer will be different for everyone).
Q. Which fruit would you most like to see grow in your life?
(This answer will be different for everyone).
Q. We learned how trees are strengthened by the stresses of the wind. Can you remember a time when you were strengthened by the winds of adversity? What did you learn through that trial?
(This answer will be different for everyone).
Q. Fill in the blanks:
And he shall be like a ___________________ by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his ___________ in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3, KJV)
tree planted, fruit
The wicked desireth the net of evil men: but the _____________________ yieldeth fruit. (Proverbs 12:12, KJV)
root of the righteous
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Concluding Thoughts on Chapter 2 – Love
As I took a closer look at love this week, I happened upon an interesting thought.
Jesus said,
Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments. (Matthew 22:37-40)
But, here’s the thing, it wasn’t just the law that hung on those two commandments, it was also our Savior. Jesus endured the cross because of His love for the Father, and He gave up His life because He loved us.
And so, the Bible tells us to love, but are we willing to take up our cross in order to do so? To take up our cross is to endure the afflictions that come with the cross. It’s the ones that hurt us that make loving so difficult, but those are precisely the ones that we’re called to love.
Luke 6:32-33, is more than a statement. It’s a challenge to all who say they love God.
For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? For sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? For sinners also do even the same. (Luke 6:32-33, KJV)
We don’t love because it’s easy or because others are deserving, we love because God loved us while we were yet sinners and still loves us now. We forgive much because we’re forgiven so much. And finally, we’re patient with others, because the Lord is patient with us.
Answer Key – Chapter 2
Q. What is the mark of a true disciple?
That we love one another
Q. According to 1 Corinthians 13:4-7, list 7 things that love is or does.
is patient,
is kind.
rejoices with the truth
always protects
always trusts
always hopes
always perseveres
Q. List 8 things love isn’t or doesn’t do:
does not envy
does not boast
is not proud
does not dishonor others
is not self-seeking
is not easily angered
keeps no record of wrongs
does not delight in evil
Q. According to Matthew 5:44, what are four ways we should respond to our enemies?
We should love them.
We should bless them.
We should do good to them.
We should pray for them.
Q. Matthew 3:8 (NIV) says, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.” What do you think that means?
It means that our lives should reflect the commitment we made to turn away from our sin and serve others.
Q. Read “The Parable of the Prodigal Son” in Luke 15:11-32. What are some things we can learn from the father in this story about the way we treat others?
(This answer will be different for everyone).
Q. Is there someone that you have a difficult time getting along with? What are some ways you can love them?
(This answer will be different for everyone).
Q. Fill in the blanks:
Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt __________________ with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt __________________. (Matthew 22:37-39, KJV)
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, love thy neighbour as thyself
And over all these virtues _____________, which binds them all together in perfect unity. (Colossians 3:14, NIV)
put on love
Q. What did Joseph do after he revealed himself to his brothers? (See Genesis 45:15)
He kissed them and wept over them.
Q. What can we learn about love and forgiveness from Joseph? (See Genesis 45:5)
This answer may be different for everyone, but what we see here is that he was able to his eyes off of those that hurt him to focus on God.
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FREE Printables
During the 5 weeks of the Bible study, I’ll be creating a set of 4 x 6 inch note cards. Each week I’ll give you 3 for a total of 15 cards in total. These high resolution images will correspond with the theme of each week. Just so you know, the cards do fold, but the inside of each card is empty for writing in.
Please note: The (4.25 x 6.25) envelopes are not included with this printable. I found them at Amazon and thought they were so cute and colorful, and so I’ll definitely be getting some for myself. Click here if you are interested in those. (affiliate link)
Click the links below to view and print this week’s note cards.
Bicycle
Flower Girl
Hot Air Balloon
