Let’s talk about Fruit of the Holy Spirit
Fruit of the Holy Spirit explained? Peace – eirene: Peace means everything good within relationships: harmony, friendliness, safety, order, rest, and contentment. First Corinthians 3:3 asserts that the opposite—strife—is from the flesh. Patience – makrothumia: Patience here does not refer to keeping your temper or waiting out an inconvenience. It actually means longsuffering in the face of persecution or abuse. It brings to mind 1 Corinthians 13:5-7 and Jesus’ silence while He was being whipped and beaten (Isaiah 53:7). Kindness – chrestotes: The Bible never tells us to be “nice.” “Niceness” often comes from a fear of what others will think or do. “Kindness” is much harder. It encompasses the moral goodness and integrity required to know the right course of action with the strength to choose it.
Galatians 5:22-23: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. The fruit of the Spirit is what grows in us as born-again believers and helps us to show the love of God to those who don’t know Him. The closer we grow to God, the more of the fruit that becomes evident in our lives.
The “Fruit of the Spirit” is a great passage of scripture for kids that immediately gives them something they understand and can relate to-fruit! This series of lessons gives you a great opportunity to include activities, crafts, songs and games revolving around cheerful, colorful objects. Purple balloons (grapes) and other vibrant colors can be part of your visual representation of the fruits. Fake fruits are often available in craft stores for additional props.
Galatians 5:22-23 “But the fruit of the spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness and Temperance; against such there is no law.” Let’s get to know each manifestation of the fruit of the spirit in better detail. Depending on how many of these manifest and at what level of activity or intensity will show you how close to God a person is.
Self-control; Moderation or self-restraint in action or statement; It is control over your entire being (body, soul and spirit). A person who has self-control is mild and calm, avoids extreme behavior, and exercises self-restraint in both actions and speech. After all, temperance and love are the bookends that hold all the other fruit in place. So now you know what exactly Jesus meant when he said in Matthew 7:20, “Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.”
The lessons we offer are written on a level that children can fully understand. Paired with our coloring pages and additional activities the lessons can bring this group of attributes to life. Check out our selection of children’s songs to add additional fun and enthusiasm to learning about the fruit of the Spirit. See additional details with the Fruit of the Holy Spirit video on YouTube.
Love – agape: Agape love is not a sentimental, sweet, affectionate emotion. It is a choice to put others first and to sacrifice ourselves on their behalf (John 15:13). This kind of love can only come through God’s power. Joy – chara: Joy is not happiness; that is, it does not depend on “happenstance.” It is independent of our worldly situation. In Philippians 2:1-4, Paul associates complete joy with fellowship and peace in the body of Christ. True joy is the result of a right relationship with God.