Lesson 3: The Fruit of the Spirit

1. In last week's lesson, we discussed how we grow in the Spirit. Review it briefly:
   • What are some indications of imaturity?
   • How can being meeting with Christians help you grow?
   • What role does a private devotional life play in helping you to grow?
   • How does God's work and our efforts work together to produce growth?
2. Read Matthew 7:16-20. What is the major message about fruit in this passage? Although the passage doesn't define "fruit," what does Jesus seem to be referring to when he uses that word?
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. Read Galatians 5:16-26. This passage starts out with a statement or promise. What is it?
   
   
   
   In the following table, fill in the characteristics of the sinful nature and the spiritual nature as described by Paul in these verses.
   

   The Sinful Nature	The Spiritual Nature
   .	.

   
   
   What hints about how to live in the spiritual nature do you get from these verses?
   
   
   
   
4. Read Romans 8:1-17. This passage starts out with a statement or promise in the same way that the passage in Galatians did. What is the gist of the statement?
   
   
   
   
   
   In the following table, fill in more about the two natures that you can glean from this passage. What verses are you getting these characteristics from?
   

   The Sinful Nature	The Spiritual Nature
   .	.

   
   
   What hints about how to bear fruit do you get from these verses?
   
   
   
   
5. Read John 15:1-17. This passage is based on an analogy. An analogy is an extended comparison that draws parallels between two things at several points. Complete the analogy below.

   The gardener =

   the vine =

   the branches =

   pruning =

   fruit =

   sap (this is implied rather than stated directly) =

   Based on this passage, how would you define fruit?
   
   
   
   Based on this passage, how does one go about living in the Spirit?
   
   
   
   Next week: The Gifts of the Spirit