Fruits of the Spirit study...Introduction Fruits of the Spirit Study “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-

IntroductionFruits of the Spirit Study

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self- control. Against such things there is no law.” - Galatians 5:22-23

Love: “Sacrificial acts for the benefit of others.” Personal “heart-check” What are character qualities that we all want? What are ways we try to be more joyful or show more love?

Scripture Galatians 5:22-23 John 15:5

Consider In John 15:5, what is the fruit that he is talking about? If we want to display the fruits talked about in Galatians 5, what must we do?

The Promise God wants to see us display love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. But he wants this to be a result of our commitment to a relationship with him.


Fruits of the Spirit Study

LoveLove: “Sacrificial acts for the benefit of others.” Personal “heart-check” Think about your experiences in sport, what have been some of the demonstrations of love that you have seen? If love is defined as “sacrificial acts for the benefit of others,” what would be the opposite of that? When have you experienced such “anti-love” in sport? Scripture John 13:1-17

Consider What do you see Jesus doing here that fits our definition of love? How do his teammates respond to His loving service? What does he instruct them to do in verses 13-15? What might be a present day equivalent to washing feet for people in the world of sport? How do we similarly love and serve our teammates today? The Promise John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”



Joy

Joy: “contentment regardless of circumstances.” Personal “heart-check” Tell us about a coach, a player or a team you have observed to have a sense of contentment regardless of circumstances. If that is what joy is, what do we experience if we lack such contentment?

Scripture James 1:2-4 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

Consider When does this passage encourage us to consider it pure joy? What does the testing of your faith produce?

What does perseverance produce in us?

The Promise When have you encountered circumstances which caused you doubt, confusion, fear, and a lack of joy? How did you recover from them? True joy comes from contentment regardless of circumstances. The only way we can have that is from a relationship with God.



PeacePeace: “mental calmness” Personal “heart-check” When have you observed someone display mental calmness in the midst of noisy, chaotic situations in sports?

What kinds of situations tend to rob some players or coaches of their mental calmness?

Scripture John 14:27 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Philippians 4:6-7 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Consider In Luke 8 we read a story about Jesus literally calming an actual storm. The same question those men asked is the same question we should ask today “who is this, that even the wind and the waves obey him” The answer is He is God Himself. He is greater than the storms of our life. The more we trust and obey Him, the more peace we experience through Him. Where can you find true peace?

The Promise The peace that the world gives you will leave you at some point. Peace from God will never leave you.



PerseverancePerseverance: “Enduring difficult situations to become stronger” Personal “heart-check” Tell us about a difficult situation you endured which made you stronger.

What would have happened if you had simply quit because things were just too tough?

Scripture Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Consider Is the theme of this verse passive or active?

What are some things in your life that would keep you from persevering?

What is the race that the author talked about in this verse?

What did Jesus focus on that helped him persevere?

The Promise God is working all things out for the good of those who love him. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28



KindnessKindness: “Using words and actions to encourage others.” Personal “heart-check” What do you think is the difference between being nice to someone and being kind to someone?

What are some situations in sport where using words and actions to encourage others makes a real difference for you? How do they help?

What kinds of words and actions have the opposite effect? How do those words and actions discourage others?

Scripture Luke 6:35

But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He Himself is kind to ungrateful and evil men.

Consider According to this verse, when we do something kind to others, should we expect anything in return?

How can you show kindness to your teammates?

The Promise Show kindness to the people that are in your life. Don’t forget the ultimate act of kindness. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16



Goodness

Goodness: “Doing the right thing.” Personal “heart-check” We are all taught to do the right thing. It’s easy to do the right thing when things are good. But what are your instincts when things are difficult. Is your first reaction to show goodness to others?

Scripture Story of Joseph - Genesis 37-47

Consider How would we respond if we were in Joseph’s situation?

Would we continue praising God or would we want to blame him?

What evidence is there that he continued to act in goodness?

How can you demonstrate goodness to the people that are around you?

The Promise Romans 2:12 “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.”

If you are transformed by God, we will see characteristics like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control lived out in our lives.



Faithfulness

Faithfulness: “To continue in spite of circumstances.” Personal “heart-check” Has it ever been difficult to be faithful to your team?

Have you ever faced a moment where you faced difficult circumstances?What did you do?

Scripture Exodus 14:1-31

Consider What was the reaction of the Israelites when they saw the Egyptians coming after them?

What was Moses’ reaction when it seemed as though the end were near?

How can you practice faithfulness with your team? Your coaches? Your friends? Your relationship with Je

The Promise We are all going to encounter a “Red Sea moment” in our life. We will face a situation where it seems like we have no where to go but we need to make a decision.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one.”

Stay faithful to God. If we do this, he will strengthen you when you encounter your “Red Sea moment.”



Gentleness

Gentleness: “Emotional control.” Personal “heart-check” Name some situations in sports that requires emotional control from you.

Tell us about a time you, or someone else, lost emotional control during competition.

Scripture John 8:1-11 - The story of the adulterous woman

Consider How did Jesus demonstrate gentleness toward this woman?

How was Jesus also gentle with her accusers?

What is another way he could have responded?

The Promise Although God could use his power against us at any moment, he responds to us in grace and gentleness when we ask. He is a good gentle Father. When we live out of his spirit within us, we can respond with gentleness to others.



Self-Control

Self-Control: “Restraint exercised over one’s own impulses, emotions, or desires.” Personal “heart-check” What are some situations your sport where you have had to exercise self control?

What happens when coaches or players lose their self-control?

Scripture Matthew 4:1-11 Satan Tempts Jesus in the Wilderness

Consider How did Jesus display self control in this story?

What areas of life do you have to display self control?

Jesus was able to resist the devil because he not only knew scripture, but he also obeyed it. He was able to train himself up so he could practice self control.

The Promise “Train yourself in godliness, for the training of the body has a limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also fro the life to come.” 1 Timothy 4:7-8

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Fruits of the Spirit study...Introduction Fruits of the Spirit Study “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-