About six weeks ago I planted two fruit trees – one lemon and one lime. I carefully placed them in large pots on the patio using the soil recommended by the nursery for citrus trees. Both received the same amount of sun and water. Both bloomed. Both had numerous visits from bees and butterflies.
The two trees have had the same care and nurturing, but the fruit production has been drastically different. The lemons seem to be growing overnight. The flexible young tree branches curve down under their weight. My husband and I anticipate large slices of the tangy fruit for our iced tea later in the summer.
In contrast, the limes look pitiful. When the blooms faded, tiny little fruit balls emerged, but only two or three have grown much. Many have turned brown and dropped off. God intended for both trees to grow fruit, but only one is fulfilling its purpose.
Fruit of the Spirit
God also intends for us, His children, to bear fruit. According to Jesus, when we follow Him closely our lives will produce “much” fruit (John 15:5). Is your life producing an abundant harvest or are you in serious need of some spiritual fertilizer? Whether we need some major pruning or just a little shaping up, all of us could benefit from studying and applying what God’s Word says about the fruit of the Spirit.
You’re invited to join me this summer for a slow and easy walk through Galatians 5:16-25. The summer months can be busy with vacations, family visits, and time away from work, but don’t take a holiday from God’s Word. This study is designed to fit into the summer flow – less reading, small chunks, slow pace.
Study of Galatians 6:16-26
Here are a few things we’ll learn in Fruit of the Spirit: Plant, Cultivate, Grow
- What are the characteristics of a “fruitless” life?
- What does it mean to “live by the Spirit?”
- Just what is “fruit” anyway?
- Am I “fruity?”
- What should the fruit of the Spirit look like in my life?
- How can I improve my harvest?
Every Thursday for the next couple of months, I will post the weekly lesson right here on my blog. Each week as we study together we will Plant God’s truth in our hearts, Cultivate our own lives to receive that truth, and take action to help it Grow!
You’re invited to study with me!
Are you in? Will you join me for Fruit of the Spirit: Plant, Cultivate, and Grow?
Let me hear from you! Will you join me and from where will you be joining in? Where do you usually do your Bible study? Have you studied the fruit of the Spirit before?
Note: All six lessons of “Fruit of the Spirit” have been compiled into one PDF file you can download for your use!
Thanks, Kathy. I look forward to our Thursday “meetings”. Q: From where will you be joining in? A: Cochrane, Alberta Q: Where do you usually do your Bible study? A: In the living room, unless I’m online. Q: Have you studied the fruit of the Spirit before? A: Only in seminary, not in this setting. I can hardly wait! Blessings on you and all who join in. <3 EP
Hi Elaine! So glad you’ll be joining. I look forward to your insights. When it’s not summer, I’m usually either participating in or teaching a ladies Bible study group at my church. I’m thrilled I get to study this summer with ladies from all over!
Sounds great. I’d love to join you Kathy. The main thing is remembering to join on Thursday but I guess if I check the box to be notified of new posts, I’ll get them.
Hi Sharon! Glad you will be doing the study with me! One good thing about an online study is that if you forget or can’t make it on “the” day, you can simply join in whenever you can!
I’m in!
Hi Kelly! Thrilled you’ll be with us!
I would like to join the study
Great Tina! See you here next Thursday!
I live in Tacoma WA. I usually study my bible at my desk, on my computer. I love gardening, and love the parallels that God teaches us through his creation. Looking forward to this study!
Hi Debbie! Glad you will be joining in. You’re right, we can learn a lot about God by taking a close look at what He has made!
I’d like to make an observation regarding citrus trees. Several years ago, I decided to plant an orange tree. My grandfather started out in California working the orange groves, and the orange tree he cultivated by the side of his house was a source of pride, and bountiful fruit. To honor his memory, when I planted my own tree, I did a lot of online research to make sure I did everything as best I could. One piece of advice I read was that in the first year, you should not let your tree bear fruit. By pinching off the small fruit that develops right after the buds fall off, you will ensure your tree branches out, and not waste it’s limited resources on producing those first fruits.
I can assure you, my second crop was fabulous. The best oranges since the ones I enjoyed in my childhood. So by delaying my enjoyment of the fruits, did I ensure I would have double or triple the benefit later? Hmmm. Something to ponder.
Thanks for the advice Patty! I should have done a little research!
Count me in!
Hi Mary! Glad you’ll be with us!
I would be happy to join your study!
Great Linda! I look forward to your comments!
Kathy, I would love to join in. Is there a reading schedule? Also, I noticed there was a study on Paul. Is that a current study as well?
Oh, by the way I’m in Van Buren, Arkansas
I’ve never done a study on the fruit of the Spirit. I’m currently studying Proverbs 31 and 1 Corinthians 13 with 2 different Facebook groups. I think studying the fruit of the Spirit will be a wonderful addition.
Amanda, sounds like you love the Word! And I love Arkansas!
Hi Amanda! I will be posting a lesson each Thursday for most of the rest of the summer. The lessons will include a little commentary, the passage to read, and questions to answer. We will also seek to apply what we’re learning during the week. I will encourage everyone to comment, add insight, and dialogue with each other. You can print a hard copy if you work better that way or use a journal to record your answers and thoughts.
The “Paul” material is a 5 day a week, Bible reading plan. Not a study, just a chart for staying on course for reading the Bible regularly during the summer if you don’t already have a plan. I know I need the discipline of something to follow to keep me on track. I think that helps a lot of people.
I will join in from Australia.
Hi Sally! Whoo hoo! So excited you’re joining in from across the planet! I guess I could be the one that’s across the planet. It all depends on your perspective doesn’t it?
I am looking forward to this Bible Study. Just what I need this summer.
Marion, so glad you will be joining in! I look forward to studying God’s Word with you.
Love to learn about the fruit of the spirit and grow in them myself.Thanks for the study
Susan, I definitely need to grow in them myself. I’m looking forward to learning a lot as I study too!
Sorry…forgot to mention will be joining you from Sydney,Australia
I would love to join you and will try to be faithful in doing so but I feel I need to let you know that I have prior responsibilities so if it is very in-depth I may not be able to get all the homework finished (if there is homework).
Hi Donna! I am going to work hard at keeping the study rich, but bite-sized. I want it to fit perfectly with our summer schedules and responsibilities. Hopefully, it will work for you.
I too, forgot to mention I’ll be joining from Muskogee, OK
I’m in. Looking forward to a summer study here in my recliner or on my patio (when the mornings are cool enough), in Universal City,Texas. Have studied this passage before in a ladies Bible study but look forward to new teaching and application!
Hi Marilyn! Isn’t great how God can teach us something new and different when we restudy a passage we’ve studied before? His Word is truly alive and active!
I’m in! I am joining from The Colony Texas and I normally do my bible studies either at my kitchen table or in bed at night. I have never studied the fruit of the spirit so I am excited!
Hi Penny! You can still do it in bed with a laptop! So glad you’re joining in!
Kathy, I’m going to give it a try. I could use a few more helpings of the fruits…
Hi Lyndie! I’m with you, my fruit needs to grow!
Looking forward to your study!!!!
Hey Robin! So excited you will be joining in!!
I definitely will be joining you from California…having 2 little ones (5 and 7) any extra studying I can do during the summer is a blessing. I usually do my studies in the living room or I have a wonderful chair with a table near my bookshelf in my room – my special corner. I have studied the fruit of the spirit before but it is such a wonderful thing to study I’m looking forward to it even more. Thanks for inviting us.
Hi Tina! Your special corner for studying God’s Word sounds wonderful. I admire your diligence to purposefully dig in even when you have little ones to take care of. I know it isn’t easy, but God will bless the time you spend studying!
I’m so glad that I found your site and study today. Something occurred over the weekend and it has me pondering over ‘fruit’ so I think this is very timely!! To answer you questions – I’m from North Carolina and in the past have done my Bible study in my living room but we have house guests for a bit so I’ll probably migrate to my bedroom. I’ve taught (children’s church) on the fruit of the spirit so I’ve study it in preparation for that but have not studied it in an ‘adult’ format
Hi Mandy! I’m glad you found the study too! I look forward to us all learning from each other over the next few weeks.
I have been looking for a way to change up my Bible study routine, so I thought I would give this a shot. Just need to do something different. Feeling stuck.
Kari, thanks for joining in! Sometimes when we’ve been doing the same thing for a while, we get so familiar with the routine we end up simply going through the motions. I pray this study will be just what you need at this time.
Routine and habit can definitely lead to a lukewarm place if we aren’t careful. They can be good things too, but it’s about balance. I actually wrote a post not that long ago that fits with what we are talking about. (It’s at http://www.struggletovictory.com/the-danger-of-routine-habit-in-our-prayer-lives/ if you are interested.) After writing this, I have been searching for and implementing new things in my routines and habits. Am keeping some things too. Trying to get back in balance in this area.
Kari, just read your post. Great insight! Thanks for sharing that with us.
Thanks for checking it out. I love it when I read something like your post that connects with something I am processing. God’s way of confirming the direction I’m taking, I think.
This study is just the bite-size that I can do for the Summer (that will enrich my life for the long-haul). I want to be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only!
Kela, and isn’t that the challenge? It’s a lot easier to study and “learn” than to obey. I’m praying for all of in His Word together that we will submit to His changing power!
As a retired lay pastor I now spend my time on the road in the semi with my new husband. We live in Wisconsin. We have been in 20 states since Sept 2011. God knew my love of travel and has granted it beyond my wildest expectations. I look forward to this Bible study, as I need to be fed out here on the road via my laptop. I thank Kari Scare for sharing your link!
Hi Mary, so glad you found the study! I love that God can use technology to advance His Kingdom and happy you can use it on the road. I have posted the first two lessons in addition to this intro. The 3rd lesson will post tomorrow. But that’s another advantage of an online study. You can do it on your schedule and at your pace. I look forward to your comments along the way.
So glad you checked this out! Kathy’s devotions have already made a big impact on me.