RCCG Sunday School Teacher’s Manual 5th February 2023 (Lesson 23)
TOPIC: THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT I
OPENING PRAYER: Father, please help me in my guest to learn how to live more godly in Jesus name
PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE:
Teacher should allow students to review the previous week’s lesson.
MEMORY VERSE: Ephesians 5:9 (KJV)
For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;
BIBLE PASSAGE: Galatians 5:22-23 (King James Version)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
LESSON INTRODUCTION:
One of the reasons Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit is to help us learn how to be more godly (John 16:12-15). The Holy Spirit will convict us of our sin (John 16:8) and guide us in choosing well when faced with temptations, thus producing godly characteristics within us (Ephesians 3:16; John 16:13). This is what the Bible describes as the ‘fruit of the Spirit.
TEXT REVIEW: GALATIANS 5:22-23
Apostle Paul, while charging the Galatians (and by extension all Christians) to desist from the works of the flesh which brings under the bondage of the law, admonishes them to be led by the Spirit. He then drew their attention to the results of being filled with the Holy Spirit saying:
i. The fruit of the Spirit is…..v22-23a.
ii. Paul declares that……… v23b.
LESSON OUTLINES
- WHY “FRUIT?”
- THE OPPOSITE OF BEARING FRUIT
1. WHY “FRUIT?”
B. The “fruit of the Spirit” refers to the “results” we should see in our lives after receiving the Holy Spirit and working on our hearts over time (Romans 8:9;12:1-2).
C. The Apostle Paul gives us the component of the ‘fruit’ as “……love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self control…… Galatians 5:21-22
D. The ‘fruit’ metaphor helps us see our faith as a tree with branches that may or may not produce fruit, depending on how well we take care of the tree itself.
i. If we give the tree nourishment (God’s word) -1Peter 1:23;2:2, then it will grow bigger.
ii. If we clear away weeds and insects (sinful tendencies) -Ephesians 4:22-31; Colossians 3:8-10, then keep the tree healthy. If we consult the ‘professional’ Gardener (God) -1Chronicles 16:11- then we will ensure we are on the right track.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1
Is it possible for a Spirit filled Christian not to exhibit some of the constituents of the fruit of the Holy Spirit? If Yes/No, explain.
2. THE OPPOSITE OF BEARING FRUIT
A. If you are a Christian, and you are not exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit in your life:
i. At best, you will experience stagnation-no growth (James 2:14-26).
ii. At worst, the result of “bad fruit” is death (Romans 6:20-23; Proverbs 14:12).
B. Note that Galatians 5:22 start with the word “But.” The Apostle Paul tells us that the opposite of these spiritual fruit.
C. Let us take a look at the verses just before the fruit list: “Now the work of the flesh are manifest, which are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred , variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: if the which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.” -Galatians 5:19-21. This is a list of things that someone who does not have the Holy Spirit’s influence would have problems with.
CLASS ACTIVITY 2
Is a Christian who is still manifesting the works of the flesh really saved?
SUMMARY
The faith of a believer (one filled with the Holy Spirit) is like a tree with branches that if well cared for will produce fruit but if neglected has grave consequences.
CONCLUSION
On one hand, our sinfulness produces rotted, poisoned fruit, which reflects our sinful nature and hurt us in the end. On the other hand, the Holy Spirit produces beautiful, nourishing fruit that reflects God’s nature and will ultimately benefit our lives.
CLOSING PRAYER
Father, please destroy every sinful habit preventing me from bearing the fruit of the Holy Spirit?
ASSIGNMENT
Provide five (5) evidences that you have the fruit of the spirit (2×5=10 Marks).
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RCCG Sunday School manual is used in Sunday School Classes in the RCCG.
The RCCG Sunday school manual is written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye and is available online for easy access. See the previous RCCG Sunday school Manual for 2023 here
