For the first week we simply talked about the fruit of the spirit in general and its direct correlation with Jesus and the Holy Spirit...
Do you think if I try really, really hard I can bear good fruit like the yellow banana? No matter how hard I try, if my life is not surrendered to Jesus my fruit will always look like the old, brown, mushy banana... yuck! Only when Jesus lives in our heart and we give our lives to him can the Holy Spirit help us bear good fruit!
When you compare the "fake" fruit gummy to the real fruit, there really is a big difference in look and taste! Sometimes we can put on a good show and appear to have fruit in our life but it will be "fake" fruit unless it comes from a heart given to Jesus and dependent on the Holy Spirit to grow real fruit from within us.
The boys playing Fruit of the Spirit bingo with their fruit gummies
We made fruit scented kook-aid water so the paintings would smell deliciously fruity, and they did!
So far we've discussed the fruits of love and joy...
We start learning each fruit with the boys adding it to their baskets. Here is where I got the free printable basket below.
LOVE is a choice that leads to an action on behalf of another person.
Memory Verse: "This is my commandment that you love one another as I have loved you."
John 15:12
One of our Bible stories about showing love was from Mark chapter two where four men lowered their paralyzed friend through the roof to get him to Jesus. They could have said we'll take you another time when it's not so crowded or complained he was too heavy or worried they would miss out on hearing Jesus if they chose to help their friend. They showed their love by choosing (a choice) to carry (an action) their friend to Jesus that he might be healed (on behalf of another person).
Love Is and Is Not Matching Game from 1 Corinthians 13
JOY is when the love of God fills you with hope in Jesus no matter what is going on around you.
Memory Verse: "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say rejoice." Philippians 4:4
When Paul wrote Phillipians 4:4, he was in dark, dirty, lonely jail! But no matter what was going on around him, his heart was full of joy "in the Lord" Jesus.
As I was preparing to teach on joy I found this sermon written by John Piper, The Fruit of Hope: Joy and was personally blessed indeed. It also helped shape our definition for joy.
"Joy" Matching Game
I love reading all your fun ways to bring Christ into your home! Storing these ideas away for when our little ones come along. :)
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