A More Perfect You
The Pursuit of Perfection in Christ
Three Sets of Spiritual Fruit
Teaching Strategy
The focus of this lesson is on looking at the spiritual fruit created in a Christian. Of special note is how these continue as we grow in actual perfection.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know: Understand how the fruit of the Spirit continues to grow in Christians.
- Feel: Value growth towards actual perfection.
- Do: Grow spiritually so that the fruit of the Spirit grows in our life.
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. Why is Paul writing the Galatian letter and how does it apply to us?
Paul is warning against various false teachings that draw us away from God and weakens our faith. In our lives today, we too are surrounded by a wide variety of false teachings. These can weaken our faith and if allowed to, will destroy our relationships with God.
2. What three ways do we submit to God as we walk in the Spirit?
- Submit to the Holy Spirit's word (read and obey scripture)
- Submit to the Holy Spirit's power (follow the Holy Spirit's direction…note, this necessitates knowing and meditating on God's word)
- Submit to the Holy Spirit's ministry (allowing the Holy Spirit to work in our lives)
3. How do we produce the fruit of the Holy Spirit?
No amount of self-will or positive thinking produces spiritual fruit. In fact, these prevent us from producing the fruit of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit produces fruit in us as we submit to Him.
4. Answer the following questions based on Matthew 7:15-20 as relates to the fruit of the Spirit:
By their fruit. Those who are false teachers do things and produce fruit contrary to God's will.
They face destruction.
5. Summarize the three sets of Spiritual fruit as outlined in Galatians 5:22-24 and their impact on a Christian's pursuit of actual perfection.
- Set 1 – Love, joy, peace – Treating others as God has treated us (see Matthew 7:12), the happiness we experience as we accept God's grace. The peace realized as we overcome the fear and impact of suffering and death.
- Set 2 – Patience, kindness, and goodness – Our willingness to remain faithful under trials that can cause us to falter in our spirit walk (see James 1:2-4). Our attitude and character towards others. What we do as a result of our spiritual walk as servants of God. This is seen in our relationships with others as we present Jesus through Christian lifestyle.
- Set 3 – Faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control – Our ongoing pursuit to discover and obey God's will. Our attitude of forgoing self-will while accepting God's will. Maintaining behavior within the boundaries established by God in our thoughts, words and deeds.
Taken together, these three sets of virtues speak to different needs in our spiritual walk. They impact our pursuit of actual perfection by serving as a measure of spiritual growth while at the same time encouraging us to continue to grow in these virtues.
6. How can you use this lesson to grow spiritually and help others come into a relationship with Jesus?
God grants us conditional perfection upon our response of faith to the gospel. This is the beginning of a way of life that leads to actual perfection as we grow to become like Christ is all areas of our lives. We are made perfect in Christ but Satan attacks us to weaken and destroy our faith and influence. However, we combat those efforts by relying on the Holy Spirit and by growing in the spiritual fruit He produces in our lives.
This concludes the series on "A More Perfect You – The Pursuit of Perfection in Christ". To God be the glory in all things!