10 | Joy

Taste & See | 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 10 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 

Supplemental Text: Philippians 1:3-11; Hebrews 12:1-3; Galatians 6:8-9, John 17:13 

Observations & Applications 

Read Galatians 5:13-26 

1. Paul contrasts the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21) with the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). What do you notice about the nature of the "works of the flesh" compared to the "fruit of the Spirit"? 

2. Galatians 5:24 says that "those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires." What does it mean to "crucify the flesh" in practical terms? 

3. Paul talks about the ongoing conflict between the flesh and the Spirit in Galatians 5:17. How do you experience this tension in your own life? 

4. Joy is listed as one of the "fruit of the Spirit" in Galatians 5:22. How does Paul’s use of the singular "fruit" (as opposed to "fruits") help us understand the relationship between joy and the other characteristics like love, peace, and patience? 

5. We often seek joy in external circumstances or temporary pleasures, yet Paul describes joy as a result of walking by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). How can you cultivate deeper joy in your life by depending more on the Spirit and less on external circumstances? 

Prayer 

Father, we want to experience the fullness of your Joy. 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.