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Fruit of the Spirit

by Linda Sue Pochodzay Edwards

Text Version | Afrikaans | Italian


           “Bethany, there's a letter for you,” Greg yelled as he entered the house, letting the screen door slam behind him.

envelope

Bethany jumped up and down, clapping her hands joyfully. She had been waiting a l-o-n-g time for the letter from her grandmother to arrive. She carefully opened the envelope and peaked inside before removing the letter. Granny often enclosed small gifts and Bethany wanted to be sure she didn't lose anything.

           Bethany was never disappointed with Granny's letters, even if there wasn't a gift inside. She dearly loved her grandmother and looked forward to reading the funny stories Granny wrote about her farm animals. After reading the entire letter, Bethany folded it, placed it back in the envelope, then put it in her special box for safe keeping, along with her other treasures.

fruit divider
cherries

Paul ended up in prison on more than one occasion for preaching about Jesus Paul was a great missionary and Bible teacher. He was despised by most leaders in the Jewish temples because he preached that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and could forgive sins. Paul also taught that everyone could love God and keep his commandments, which angered the leaders even more, because they thought that only Jewish people could worship the true God. Everywhere Paul went, the Jewish leaders caused trouble for him. He ended up in prison on more than one occasion for preaching about Jesus.

Even though he was in a cold, dark dungeon, sometimes hungry, and sometimes even chained to his prison guards, Paul didn't waste his time sulking, griping, or complaining. He continued to preach to everyone who would listen, that Jesus Christ was the Son of God and could forgive their sins. Even some of the meanest guards who had cruelly beaten him chose to become Christians because of Paul's preaching and the godly life he lived.

apple

           Day after day passed by, and Paul began thinking about the many friends he had made in so many different cities and countries throughout Europe and Asia. His friends in Galatia had been especially kind to him when he was sick and he missed them very much. Not only had they shown kindness to Paul; they had also joyfully accepted his teachings about Jesus. Since it was impossible for him to visit his friends and there wasn't much to do in prison, he decided to write them a letter.

Paul had so much to say to his friends so he kept on writing and writing
pear

His letter started out pretty much the same as any other letter, with a greeting to his friends and wishing them well, but it certainly did not end up to be a normal, everyday letter!

          Paul was a preacher of the gospel of Christ and even in his letters, he couldn't help preaching and teaching about Jesus. Paul had so much to say to his friends; he kept writing and writing. The letter grew longer and longer. When he was finally finished, the letter was so long; it had turned into a book with six chapters!

          When Paul was satisfied that the letter contained everything he wanted to say to his friends, he sealed it carefully and found a messenger willing to travel to Galatia to deliver it.

peach

           His friends were excited to receive the letter and called together everyone they knew. They carefully read it over and over and tried their best to follow Paul's teachings about how to be like Jesus. They took very good care of the letter for it was very precious to them.

cherries

In the fifth chapter of the letter, Paul wanted his friends to learn that people who are Christians — which means followers of Jesus Christ — have different characteristics than people who don't care about Jesus and don't want to live a godly life. Paul called these characteristics fruit and explained that it is easy to tell which people love Jesus and which people don't because of the fruit they exhibit in their daily lives.

grapes

You can read the letters of Paul for yourself He listed some of the fruit of an ungodly person, such as, lying, hatred, envy, drunkenness, murder, and many other evil characteristics. Then he listed the fruit of a person who follows the teachings of Jesus:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”

apple

The letter that Paul wrote to his dear friends in Galatia, almost 2000 years ago, was copied over and over and translated into many languages, including ours. You can even read this letter yourself! It is in the second part of your Bible, which is called the New Testament, and the letter is known as the Book of Galatians.

          What a privilege it is to have this treasure that has been passed down to us over the centuries! It is just as important for us to learn about the fruit of the Spirit and how to be like Jesus as it was for Paul's friends when they read the letter for the very first time.

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THINK!

1. Why was Paul in prison?
2. How did Paul spend his time in prison?
3. Where were Paul's friends?
4. What does it mean to be a Christian?
5. What is the fruit of the Spirit?
6. In what book of the Bible can the fruit of the Spirit be found?



REMEMBER:

The fruit of the Spirit are Christ-like characteristics
that every Christian should have.



A VERSE TO LEARN

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness,
faith, meekness, temperance:
against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).



PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Do you like to receive letters and messages or cards from family and friends or people who care about you? What kind of letters do you like most and from whom? How about you? Do you like to send letters and messages or cards to the people you love?

[After discussion:] God used Paul to write letters to believers because God and Paul both cared about them deeply. In another letter of Paul, he says that if you believe in Jesus and do the things He wants you to do, such as bearing the fruit of the Spirit, you become a living letter from Him, written on your heart, to the people all around you. Others read about Jesus when you do as Jesus would do. Would you like to be a living letter so others can read about the blessings and good things God gives? Ask God now and thank Him for it.



LET'S PRAY

Dog and boy praying

***************************************************
Dear God, thank You for sending Jesus to be our
greatest example of how to live. Thank You for Paul,
who wrote many books of the Bible which tell us how
to be more like Jesus. Help me become a living
letter of your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
****************************************************


CAN YOU FIND THIS STORY IN THE BIBLE?

           Galatians 5:19-26

STORIES IN THIS SERIES:

The Fruit of the Spirit
Love
Joy
Peace
Longsuffering
Gentleness
Goodness
Faith
Meekness
Temperance

fruit divider
coloring

Fruit of the Spirit Coloring Page (online)
Memory Verse Coloring Page (online)
God Wants Us to Bear Good Fruit (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Fruit Basket (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Tree (online)
Fruit Bowl (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Reproducible Coloring Book

Action Bible Coloring Book
Coloring Through the Bible (online)
Beginner's Bible Super-Duper Mighty Jumbo Coloring Book
Bible Stories Kids Love Coloring Book (ages 2 to 4)
Big Book of Bible Story Coloring Pages for Elementary Kids

God Loves You Coloring Book:
A Read-aloud Coloring Book About God's Plan for Salvation


Jesus Loves Me, This I Know, Coloring Book
My Bible Coloring Book
My Gospel Story by Colors--Activity Book
My Jumbo Bible Story Coloring Book
The Super-Sized Book of Bible Coloring & Art
The Super-Sized Book of Bible Verse Coloring Pages
Children's Bible Coloring Books


stories

Adventures of Heart Longing:
An Allegory of the Fruit of the Spirit


Cutie Fruities: Scratch'n'Sniff and Glitter!
Fruit of the Spirit
Fruit of the Spirit Bible Collection eBook
Fruit of the Spirit Arch Book
Fruit of the Spirit Stories For Children (online)
God Counts Series: 9 Fruits Alive
Life Is an Adventure with Ernie

Living As God's Girl: Your One-of-a-Kind
Guide to the Fruit of the Spirit


The Fruit of the Spirit (online)


Beginner's Bible
Beginner's Bible for Little Ones
Bible in Pictures For Toddlers
Bible stories
Children's Books
Early Reader's Bible
100 Bible Stories 100 Bible Songs w/2 CD
Pilgrim's Progress Comic
Spanish Children's Books

365 Activities For Kids:
A Bible Story And Activity For Each Day Of The Year


365 Read-Aloud Bedtime Bible Stories
The Children's Illustrated Bible
The Picture Bible (also in Spanish)
The Preschooler's Bible
Toddler's Bible


activities

Jigsaw Puzzle (online)
Story Cards To Keep and Share (online)
The Fruit of the Spirit activities (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Game (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Bingo Game (online)
Fruit Puzzle (online)
Fruits of the Spirit Dominoes
Good Fruit Bad Fruit Game (online)
Online Word Search (online)
Word Search (online)
Memory Match (online)
Faith That Sticks: Fruit Of The Spirit Stickers
Teacher Created: Fruit Of The Spirit Stickers
The Fruit of the Spirit Spinning Top Game & Puzzle Sheet

Best Book of Bible Activities
Bible Puzzles: Word Search
Big Book Of Bible Puzzles
Big Book Of Bible Story Activity Pages V1
Bingo (online)
Children's Activity Books
Children's Puzzles
Christian and educational toys
Crossword Books
Encyclopedia Of Bible Games For Children's Ministry
Games
Jumbo Bible Activity Book 4
Memory Verse Games for Kids
Sticker Books
The Humongous Book of Games for Children's Ministry
The Super Sized Book of Bible Puzzles


songs

Fruit of the Spirit (sheet music/MP3) (online)
I Want To Be Like Jesus (sheet music/MP3) (online)
Donut Man: Fruit Of The Spirit
Fruit of the Spirit (online)
Fruit Of The Spirit [Children of Faith Split Trax Music Download]
Hide 'Em In Your Heart 1 & 2 CD (Steve Green)
Integrity Kids: Fruit of the Spirit [Music Download]
The Fruit of The Spirit Song/MP3/CHORDS (online)
Fruit of the Spirit by Maranatha Kids (online)
Fruit of the Spirit [Brentwood Music Download]
Fruit of the Spirit Cadence (online)
Steve Green: The Fruit of the Spirit (online)
The Fruit of the Spirit (online)
The Fruit of the Spirit — Donut Man (listen online)

The Fruit Of The Spirit - Galatians 5:22 & 25
[Steve Green Music Download]


Music Machine: The Fruit Of The Spirit CD

100 Ways To Know God Loves Me & 100 Songs
100 Bible Stories 100 Bible Songs
Action Bible Songs
Bible Songs on CD
Bible Songs on DVD
150 All-Time Favorite Veggietunes
100 Singalong Bible Songs For Kids

Platinum Bible Collection of Classic Christian Songs on DVD
The Bible in a Minute (online)

25 Favorite Sunday School Songs
Children's Music


CDs and DVDs

Adventures in Odyssey: The Fruits of the Spirit -
12 Episodes to Grow On


Auto B Good Fruits of the Spirit DVD
By Their Fruit (watch online)
Camp New: Humble Pie, DVD
Character Builders, 2 Disc Set (Repackaged)
Donut Man: Barnyard Fun & On The Air, DVD
Hide 'Em In Your Heart 1 & 2 CD (Steve Green)
LifeKids: The Fruit of the Spirit (watch online)
Music Machine: The Fruit Of The Spirit CD
Music Machine (watch online)

All the Shows, Volume 1: 1993-1999
Do You Wonder Why? (online)
God's Story from Creation to Eternity (online)
Read and Share DVD Bible
The Jesus Storybook Bible Curriculum Kit
Bible story DVDs
Children's DVDs


crafts

Fruit Printing (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Crafts (online)
Basket Craft (online)
Printable Fruit Basket (online)

Bible Crafts
Bible Crafts & More (Ages 3-6)
Bible Craft Videos (online)
Crafting the Word of God (online)

Easy-to-Make Bible Crafts PDF for Kids
& Digital Album Download [PDF Download]


Encyclopedia Of Bible Crafts For Preschoolers
Hot Crafts for Cool Kids pdf download
Maker-ific WOWS! (ages 8-12): 54 Surprising Bible Crafts

More! Bible Crafts on a Shoe String Budget:
Paper Sacks & Cardboard Tubes

(Reproducible: Ages 5-10)

Puppet Crafts For Kids (online)


RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND TEACHERS

Story Ideas (online)
Important Notes About This Lesson and Answers to THINK Questions (online)

All-in-One Bible Fun: Fruit of the Spirit (Preschool edition)
All-in-One Bible Fun: Fruit of the Spirit (Elementary edition)
Faith Case Fruit of the Spirit
The Fruit of the Spirit Bible story and activities (online)
The Fruit of the Spirit (printable)
Free Bible images for Fruit of the Spirit (online)
Fruit Basket Upset-Fruit of the Spirit Game (online)
Experience the Fruit of the Spirit (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Bulletin Board Set (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Characters (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Classroom Chart (online)
Fruits of the Spirit and How We Can Show Them to Others (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Fruit Bowl (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Object Lesson (online)
Fruit of the Spirit (online)
The Fruit of the Spirit Lesson Plan (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Anagrams (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Name Tags (online)
Fruit of the Spirit (online)
Puppet/Skits Scripts (online)
Apple Snacks (online)
Chocolate Covered Strawberries (online)
Fruit Kabobs (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Pizza (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Game (online)
Please Pass The Fruit (Game) (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Necklace (Memory Tool) (online)
Fruit of the Spirit Bookmarks
Fruit of the Spirit Bulletin
The Fruit Of The Spirit, Laminated Wall Chart
How to Simply Inspire Character (online)

Free Bible story images (online)
801 Questions Kids Ask About God
Absentee Postcards
African American Resources
Almost Every Answer for Practically Any Teacher
Bible for Children in 232 languages (online)
Children's Ministry
Bible Memory Match Game
Big Book of Bible Games
Bulletin Board helps
Chicken Soup for the Teacher's Soul
Children's Ministry Volunteers That Stick
Children's Sermon (online)
Church Supplies
Closing Prayer (online)

FREE materials to Bible schools, Bible colleges, seminaries,
churches, missionaries & individuals worldwide
(online)

52 Games That Teach The Bible
Free educational videos (online)
God's Servants Teach Me

God's Wisdom for Little Boys:
Character-Building Fun from Proverbs


Help! I'm a Sunday School Teacher
How To Lead a Child To Christ
How to Make Bible Characters from Milk Cartons (online)
King James Version Gift & Award Bibles

Leading Little Ones to God:
A Child's Book of Bible Teachings


Lord Teach Me To Pray For Kids
Making Children Mind Without Losing Yours
Memory Verse Activities (online)
Memory Verse Resources
My Jumbo Bible Story Coloring Book
Object Talks
Opening Prayer (online)
Parenting Resources
Pray & Play Bible for Young Children
Puppet Scripts
Review Activities for Bible Lessons (online)
Seven Laws of the Learner
Spanish Resources
Sunday school resources
Sunday School Songs: Lyrics and Tunes (online)
Talking to God
Teachers' Reproducible Classroom Pages
Teaching Children Memory Verses Ages 4-5
Teaching Children To Pray Ages 4-5
Teaching to Change Lives
The Beginner's Bible Curriculum Kit
The Jesus Storybook Bible Curriculum Kit

The Humongous Book of Bible Skits
for Children's Ministry


Vacation Bible School
What Every Sunday School Teacher Should Know

Children's resources (online)

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