Online Christian Discipleship School, Life Cycle Series C1
Continued from 9 Fruits Of The Spirit
C. Chosen by us: We can choose to live by the fruit of the Spirit or not. Ga 5:16 "So I say ____ by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the ______ nature." In Co 3:12, who "clothes" us with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience? ____ . II Pe 1:4 "…you may ___________ in the divine nature…"
D. Developed by our effort: II Pe 1:5-7 "…make every ______…for __ you possess these qualities in __________ measure…" Many people believe, because the fruit of the Spirit are given by God, that they just develop and grow automatically. These people will remain spiritual infants until they are willing to make the effort to mature in Christ.
E. Strengthened and increased by God: He 12:7-11 "Endure ________ as discipline; God is treating you as ____…God disciplines us for our ____, that we may share in His ________…it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace…" James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy…trials of many kinds…develops perseverance…that you may be ______ and ________…"
F. Love is key: One Spiritual Fruit stands out above all others as a shining "key" to Christian maturity in all respects. As you'll discover in the next session, this Fruit of the Spirit is also a gift of the Spirit. This particular fruit is not only essential to Christian maturity, it's essential to Christian life. I Jn 4:7-8 "…Everyone who loves has been ____ of God and knows God. Whoever does not ____ does not know God, because God is love." It's this fruit that Jesus said is the basis of Godly life. Mt 22:37-40 "Love the ____ your God…Love your ________ as yourself…All the ___ and the ________ hang on these two commandments." In Fact, the only commandment Jesus gave us is love. "A new command I give you: ____ one another. As I have _____ you, so you ____ love one another." This is the Law of Christ…He even set the standard by His own action, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for a friend." There is great power in this Love that Jesus calls us to and fills us with. It's the power over our sinful nature. It's the power to nurture all the fruit of the Spirit in us, growing all the fruit to their greatest capacity. Can anyone have this sacrificial love and not have all the Fruit of the Spirit working in them? I don't think so.
The Bible defines love very explicitly in I Co 13:4-8. Read it through and then answer these questions about love.
1. What are the 8 things love is not? E______, B_______, P____, R___, S___-_______, E_____ A______, Recording W_____, Delighting in E___.
2. What does love never do? F___.
3. What 4 things will love always do? P_______, T_____, H____, P_________.
4. What other 3 attributes does love have? P_______, K_______, R_______ with the Truth.
5. Compare the 9 Fruits of the Spirit from A. with what you've just learned about love. What "Fruits" are not included in love? ____________________ Are you sure?
6. Pray and meditate on I Co 13:4-8. Consider your interactions with people over the last few months. Take a piece of paper and list the areas of Love that God reveals you need to develop further. Be thorough. If this takes a few hours, it will be a good investment. File the paper in a "growth folder". Repeat this exercise monthly for the next year, not looking at the previous lists. At the end of the year, compare your last sheet with the first, then praise Jesus.
Memory Verse: Ph 1:6 …He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."
In number of verses and blanks to fill in, this session is short, yet, if you're being faithful to the purpose of the LifeCycle courses, this was the most difficult. I know you're being brought face-to-face with things that need work in you. I'm very proud that you're willing to let the Lord work in you fully. It puts you in a very small and precious group.
Bible Studies
Christian
Discipleship Outline
Assurance Of
Salvation
Basic Doctrine Of
Christianity
Christian
Traditions And Practices
How
To Pray As A Christian
How To Study
The Bible
The Meaning Of
Christian Stewardship
What
About Church Attendance?
9
Fruits Of The Spirit
7 Gifts Of
The Holy Spirit
Spiritual
Gifts Of The Bible
Parable
Of The Ten Talents
Great
Commandment and Great Commission
Christian
Small Groups
Church At Your House
Importance Of Church
Membership
Bible Studies
The Life Of Jesus
Christian Discipleship
Christian Faith Study
Leading
Inductive Studies
Acts-Early Church History
Romans Bible
Studies
1 Corinthians Bible Studies
2 Corinthians Bible Studies
Galatians Bible Studies
Ephesians Bible Studies
Philippians Bible
Studies
Colossians Bible Studies
1 & 2 Thessalonians
Timothy And Titus Studies
Bible Questions Forum
New Testament Studies
Study Bibles
Bible Study Software
Bible Study Books