TOPIC — THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: LOVE AS A COMPONENT [SUNDAY, 3RD DECEMBER 2017]
OPENING PRAYER:
Father, let me bring forth the fruit of the Spirit always
BIBLE PASSAGE: GALATIANS 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
MEMORY VERSE:
Galatians 5:25: If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
LESSON INTRODUCTION
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the result of the Holy Spirit’s presence and operation in the life of a Christian. ‘Fruit’ is the natural result growth. And ‘of the spirit’ explains exactly who causes that growth. It is not our striving or straining, but the power of the Holy Spirit. No amount of human toil or gritty determination can produce spiritual fruit, but the Spirit’s influence in a yielded heart can miracles. The Bible makes it clear that everyone receives the Holy Spirit the moment he or she believes in Jesus Christ. Rom8:9; 1 Cor.12:13; Eph 1:13-14. One of the primary purposes of the Holy Spirit coming into a Christian’s life is to change that life. It is Holy Spirit’s job to conform us to the image of Christ, making us more like him. Our sinful flesh produces certain types of fruit that reflect our nature. Gal5:19-21, and the Holy Spirit produces types of fruit that reflect His nature.
TEST REVIEW: Galatians 5:22-23
Galatians 5:16 cautions believers as follows: “……. walk in the spirit and ye shall not fulfill the list of the flesh”. Why? It is because those who walk and live habitually in the Holy Spirit, responsive to controlled and guided by the spirit not gratify the cravings and desire of the flesh. Why? Verse.17 explains that the flesh (human nature without God) is continually antagonistic and in constant conflict with the Holy Spirit. True believers therefore can not claim to have small flesh and small spirit since the duo of the spirit and the flesh do not agree. In the light of this, a true believer cannot love (fruit of the spirit) Galatians 5:22, and at the same time love (work of the flesh) Galatians 5:20.
Love is an embodiment of patience, kindness, humility, truth, holiness and faith. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7. While hatred on the other hand has in its family: pride, rudeness, selfishness, evil, injustice, unrighteousness, unbelief, hopelessness and failure. 1Cor. 13:4-8; love is virtue, hate is a vice. They are non-complementary. Gal. 5:16.
LESSON OUTLINE 1
COMPONENTS OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT
i. The fruit of the spirit is one with many characteristics. Gal 5:22-23
ii. The fruit of the spirit is produced by the Holy Spirit. Gal5:16; 18. The fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness and truth. James3:17-18
iii. The fruit of the Spirit is the fruit of reghteousness sown in peace , pure wisdom from above, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. Gal 5:22-23
iv. The Lord Jesus Christ through the Holy Spirit helped believers to conquer the godless nature of the flesh. Phil4:13; Gal5:18.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1
Why is it difficult for the unbelievers to bear the fruit of the spirit?
LESSON OUTLINE 2
LOVE
i. There are three [3] fundamental categories of love. These are ‘Eros’, ‘Phileo’ and Agape
ii. The Holy Spirit’s kind of love in believers is Agape
iii. Love is a choice and not feeling
iv. Agape is not very simple to explain because it goes beyond human imagination. For instance, how can we explain the love that made Jesus offer Himself for His friends and the whole world? John15:13; 1 John3:16; Luke6:35 and John3:16
v. God demonstrated true agape to sinful man by offering the Lord Jesus who was sinless. Rom5:8
vi. Believers are required to demonstrate love to God, Love to neighbours. Matthew22:35-40
vii. True love is demonstrated by believers through obedience to the commandments of God. 1 Cor.13:4-8
CLASS ACTIVITY 2
Find out what true love does not do according to 1Cor. 13:4-8
SUMMARY
The first fruit of the Spirit is Agape’ kind of love
CONCLUSION
Believers must bear the fruit of love to God and neighbours always.
EVALUATION
What is agape kind of love?
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, help me to bring forth the fruit of love.
ASSIGNMENT
Using 1Cor. 13:4-8, Identify five differences between agape kind of love and non-agape love.