It all starts with a seed. The gospel message, planted in the hearts of His people.
From a tender shoot to a strong trunk, the faithful Gardener nurtures this precious seedling. He has a great plan for this seed in us; to grow, strengthen, and bear fruit.
For those of us who have received this good news, we have been given an incredible treasure. While the gospel-seed brings joy inexpressible and life eternal, it is not mainly for those who receive it.
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news…that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified. Isaiah 61:1,3
All for His Glory
God’s ultimate plan for you and I is not just to receive, through faith, this seed of the gospel. He intends for this seed to grow into a strong, fruit-bearing, God-glorifying tree.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:3
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. John 15:8
As we grow into a firmly-planted tree, fruit will come and this fruit will bring more seeds. Gospel-seeds will be planted into more hearts and these delivered disciples will bring glory to God.
Facing Reality
I don’t know about you, but there are days when I don’t feel like a strong, flourishing tree. Seasons come and the fruit on my branches is small and tasteless. There are plenty of moments where there is little proof of discipleship in my life.
God’s plan for me is to bear fruit, and I want to bear good fruit. But I can’t just resolve to be more fruitful and force the fruit to come. I’ve tried that; it doesn’t work.
So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. Matthew 7:17
I cannot bear good fruit on my own. I am diseased and, on my own, powerless to bear good fruit. Yet, God has charged us to bear good fruit. So, there must be a way!
The Secret to Bearing Fruit
Today we kick off our Abiding Fruit study series. This week, the study guide will lead us to take a deeper look at how we can bear the fruit of the Spirit. As we look at the different layers of Galatians 5:16-25 each day, let’s see if we can find the secret to becoming a healthy, fruitful tree.
…I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide… John 15:16
What are you looking forward to in our study this week?
How is your fruit-bearing lately?
Come back next Monday, when we will take a deeper look at Galatians 5:16-25 together.
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I’m just looking forward to getting back into Bible Study. It’s been a long time and much needed. Thanks for doing this study for us to enjoy!
I am very much looking forward to this study. We are on “vacation” (can one actually call it that when kids are with me?) and we visited a long-time friend’s old church…guess what the pastor spoke on today? The Abiding Fruit!
Excited to jump into this study! I started this morning digging into the phrases walk by the spirit, led by the spirit, live by the spirit… looking forward to exploring these verses this week.
Looking forward to guided study that’s not to guided. Thanks for the awesome resource!
Enjoyed my first day of the study this morning! Just love meditating on those nine fruits. Seems even the words themselves calm my soul.
I love when I see the Lord working so intricately in my life. Our Sunday night group “just happens” to also be studying the fruit of the Spirit. :-) His timing is always perfect. Looking forward to digging in with everyone here.
I’m looking forward to the different ways I can observe this one passage by pulling out truths, commands and promises. I can’t wait to dig down deep into each of the fruit of the Spirit these next several months. Thanks for the great resource.
Hi Katie,
To answer your questions:
1. What are you looking forward to in our study this week? I am looking forward to gaining God’s wisdom, discernment, and comprehension on my continuous journey of cultivating and bearing the fruit of the spirit in my life.
2. How is your fruit bearing lately? My temperance and gentleness fruit hasn’t been good lately. I am growing weary of repeating myself with our children. I repent and find rest in God’s promise: Psalm 141:3:
3Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
Thank you for this Bible Study(:
I have to echo Tiffany in that I am just happy to be back into a Bible study. I never actually know where to start when I am studying on my own, and a lot of devotionals do not really have the depth I am looking for. Looking forward to continuing through the fall!
I am looking forward to the format of the bible study. I like how we study bits of scripture, but really dig into it each day with different questions.
I just posed this question to my MYM group…how do we continue to grow our “seeds” among our everyday responsibilities and tasks? To me, this is best done by slowing down (not trying to do a hundred things at once), being disciplined to follow a schedule with those monotonous activities like household chores so we have more time to spend with our Lord (to create that fruit) and illustrate it in our lives through our relationships, especially those in our immediate families. If I am too busy running around from this to that, I do not “hear” or “see” opportunities for God to work in my life and those around me.
Like Maria, I also love that this study focuses on specific, small pieces of scripture but in depth. I like to read the same verses over and over rather than just “reading” the Bible. I think I will enjoy this study quite a bit. Looking forward to reading, studying, and sharing.
Oh, this: “God’s plan for me is to bear fruit, and I want to bear good fruit. But I can’t just resolve to be more fruitful and force the fruit to come. I’ve tried that; it doesn’t work.” I get this. Looking forward to this study (and catching up this week)!
I forgot there was more to this study available on this website, so I’m playing catch up! Thank you for doing this for us!