A More Perfect You
The Pursuit of Perfection in Christ
The Fruit of the Holy Spirit
Part 1
Teaching Strategy
The focus of this lesson is the way that a spiritual life and character are produced in the lives of disciples. Of special note is the relationship between the Holy Spirit and a Christian’s willingness to submit.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know: Understand how the Holy Spirit produces fruit in a Christian.
- Feel: Recognize the importance of producing fruit.
- Do: Submit to God’s will as we work towards actual perfection.
Body of the Lesson
Discussion Questions
Below are suggested questions to use during the guided discussion portion of the lesson. There are also suggested responses to questions to help students grasp the various concepts. These are provided to assist the discussion and are not considered as “right or wrong” responses.
1. What is Paul's intent for writing Galatians?
He is warning against following false teachers who were perverting or changing the gospel. They were teaching that one had to submit to rule keeping which they imposed, specifically Jewish customs such as circumcision. Paul explains why they are already in a perfect state (acceptable before God) because of His grace received through obedient faith in Jesus and maintained by walking in the Spirit, not by the teaching of man-made doctrines.
2. What are the four groups or types of deeds of the flesh that Paul outlines in Galatians 5:19-21 and what do they lead to?
- Group 1: Sexual sins – They lead to immorality, impurity and sensuality.
- Group 2: Spiritual blindness – These lead to idolatry and sorcery (attempts to manipulate the spiritual world).
- Group 3: Divisive spirit – These lead to enmities (hatred), strife, jealousy, anger, disputes, dissension, factions and envy (Note: See also Proverbs 6:16-19 – what God hates).
- Group 4 – Insobriety – These lead to drunkenness and carousing and other sins caused by the loss of control of our spirit.
3. What does Paul mean by "fruit of the Spirit"?
Fruit of the Spirit is that which is produced by the Holy Spirit in a Christian's life. Note that Paul states that there is no law against these. This indicates that these virtues are higher in value before God than the practice of the Law. The Law, therefore, cannot overrule or replace these.
4. How does a Christian submit to the Word of the Spirit?
We receive God's word through the Holy Spirit (II Peter 1:21). Therefore, as we obey God's word, we are submitting to the Holy Spirit. This requires us to read God's word regularly, think and meditate upon it, internalize it (receive it and make it a part of our lives) and actually do as it instructs.
5. The text for this lesson describes the Godhead (God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit) as the same but with distinct roles. Discuss the distinct roles and your understanding of them.
- The Father is the establisher – Creation is established at His command. He established morality and the terms of salvation following our failure to obey.
- The Son is the embodiment – John 1:10 and Colossians 1:16 state that the Son brought forth the universe and mankind. The Son, Jesus, embodies the will of God in accomplishing His Word, saving the Church at the end of time, and integrating the heavenly Kingdom into the Godhead.
- The Holy Spirit is the enabler – The Holy Spirit enabled the will of God the Father to be accomplished in all things including creation, God's Word and the sustaining of the universe. It is through the Holy Spirit that Christians learn and apply God's word.
6. How does a Christian submit to the discipline of the Holy Spirit?
Discipline means teaching. We learn from the Holy Spirit by submitting g to Him while experiencing various conditions including trials (James 1:2-4) and correction (Matthew 18; I Corinthians 5). The Holy Spirit also guides us through periods of dryness (periods of spiritual famine – Matthew 4) and discouragement (Acts 23:11). The Holy Spirit also provides insight and guidance in discerning the meaning and application of His word, and enables us to experience spiritual life (love, joy, peace etc.) while we live in sinful flesh and in a fallen world.
7. How can you use this lesson to grow spiritually and help others come into a relationship with Jesus?
When we know how the Holy Spirit works and how to walk in the Spirit, we grow and produce the fruit of the Spirit. Our walk by the Spirit begins when we receive the Spirit at baptism (Acts 2:38). We then begin to grow towards actual perfection as we submit to His lead through the various periods of our lives.