9 | Love

Taste & See | Fall Message Series on the Fruit of the Spirit

How would you describe the culture around us? Selfish, angry, prideful, jealous, explicit, divisive, mean-spirited, and sexual impurity? These are all words Paul uses in Galatians 5 to describe what it means to live driven by the desires of our flesh. But what if you and I chose to interact with our world as people of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? Paul calls these words the "Fruit of the Spirit," characteristics produced when the Spirit of God is at work in a person's life. The Fruit of the Spirit is not just for us but that we would be people who produce love, joy, and peace so that others have a chance to "taste and see that the Lord is good."(Psalm 34)

Season 2 Episode 9 of Unschooled and Ordinary discusses the importance of the Fruit of the Spirit in the lives of believers.

Episode Resources:

Bible Reading Plan & Devos 

"Taste & See" Message Series

Find a House Church

Venture Church Original Podcasts

Venture Church Website

Scripture 

Primary Text: Galatians 5:13-26

Observations & Applications 

Read Galatians 5:13-26

1. How can misunderstanding or abusing the freedom we have in Christ lead us to serve our own desires rather than living in love and obedience to God?

2. In verse 14, Paul says the entire law is fulfilled in the command, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." How does this command to love others shape the way we live our lives?

3. How might the freedom you received in Christ lead to a deeper, Spirit-filled love that goes beyond behavior modification?

4. Why do the acts of the flesh stand in such sharp contrast to the fruit of love?

Prayer

Father, give us the desire to hear from You, the readiness to obey Your Word, and the sensitivity to discern between my feelings and Your promptings. Lord, may the power of Your Spirit that lives within us produce the fruit of Your characteristics. Lord, help us surrender control to You. Amen. 

S.O.A.P. METHOD

Use this tool to study God’s Word 

SCRIPTURE 

Write which passage of scripture you are reading. 

OBSERVATION

What is this text saying? What is the context? How does it fit with the verses before and after it? Are there any commands or instructions? 

APPLICATION 

How can you apply this verse to your life? What does this mean today? What is God saying to you? 

PRAYER

Respond to the passage in prayer. Ask God to help you apply this truth to your life and spend some time listening to what He may be telling you.