The Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives, and Galatians 5 paints a beautiful picture of what that fruit looks like. But if we’re honest, it’s easy to get this wrong. It’s easy to read this list and turn it into a spiritual scorecard - a checklist to prove our worth to God. Why? Because that’s how every other religion works. Every other religion says, “I do, therefore I am loved.” But the way of Jesus is completely different. Christianity flips the script and says, “You are loved, therefore you do.” The focus isn’t on what we can do for God, it’s on what God has already done for us through Jesus. It sounds almost too good to be true. But it is true - and it changes everything. Join us as we explore the radically different way the Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives.

Galatians 5:13–25

13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.

For Adult Homes and Groups

Before you begin, reread Galatians 5:13-25 slowly. Let the words sink in, and notice what stands out to you.

1. What motivates your spiritual growth - love or obligation? How does understanding “You are loved, therefore you do” shift your perspective on following Jesus?

2. How is the way of Jesus different from the way of religion? In what ways do you still slip into “I do, therefore I’m loved” thinking?

3. The text says “fruit” (singular), not “fruits.” How does that change the way you think about and live out the fruit of the Spirit?

4. What does it mean to walk by the Spirit each day? What practices help you stay in step with the Spirit, and how can others encourage you in that journey?

For Families with Kids

1. Read Galatians 5:13-25 together. Verse 13 tells us to “serve one another humbly in love.” What is one thing you can do to help someone in your family or school today?

2. When you plant an apple seed, what grows? The Holy Spirit is planted in our hearts through Baptism; what fruit grows out from Him?

3. We can’t make this fruit grow by ourselves; God makes it grow. What does God want us to do to stay close to Him so we grow?

4. Print out pictures of good and bad fruit. Write down the works of the flesh (anger, jealousy, etc.) on the bad fruit picture and the fruits of the Spirit on the good fruit picture. Use it as a reminder this week. Pray together and ask the Holy Spirit to help grow His fruit in your family!