Document for DBS
Series: Connected “Abiding in Christ”
In a time of growing isolation and individualism, we are reminded of how important it is to stay connected to God and to each other. Jesus’ metaphor of the vine and branches calls us into a life of connection over production as we abide in Him.
Title: “Fruit that Lasts” (Galatians 5:13-26)
Bookmark: Click Here
Opening Thoughts: When we maintain a genuine connection to Christ, the Spirit of God flows through us to produce "fruit that lasts." What does the fruit of your life reveal about your connection to Christ?
Introduction to connection
Connectedness becomes a testimony to our world.
John 15
Things aren’t always as they seem
Matthew 7:16–17 NIV - 16 By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.
John 15:16–17 NIV - 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit--fruit that will last--and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17 This is my command: Love each other.
“Fruit” is the evidence & expression of the nature of Christ in us
===============================================================
Text: Galatians 5:13-26
Life by the Spirit
13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh, rather, serve one another humbly in love. 14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever[c] you want. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
===============================================================
Summarize the main story: Describe the events of the story in your own words.
Review and retell the story.
Reflections for applications:
Fruit we bear in Christ is
Rooted in Love
Everlasting
Galatians 5
Connection to God
Love
Joy
Peace
Connection to others
Patience
Kindness
Goodness
Connection to inner self
Faithfulness
Gentleness
Self-control
A life connected to Jesus and rooted in his love produces the fruit of the Spirit
Illustration of the apple tree
Bearing fruit that lasts is not about greater resolve, it’s about greater surrender
What type of fruit is your life producing?
==============================
Digging Questions:
How will you respond to making “Connection to Jesus”? What transformative move needs to be made?
What do these biblical texts tell you about God and His nature?
What is God calling us (me and you individually) to do?
Take Away Challenges
What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you in this passage? How will you apply it to your life this week?
Whom do you know who needs to hear this?
What is God bringing to your attention in this discussion? What beliefs, thoughts or actions need to be addressed or changed?
Hashtags #Connected #Fruit
Sunday sermon link https://youtu.be/hlsgyfKXmGg
Kevin’s Blog Link to more resources: Click here for Kevin’s Blog Notes
Comments and resources with some more resources:
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Galatians+5%3A13-26&version=NIV
Blog by Paul Adams -- The Blessings of Good Fruit
Fold two hands together
And express a dash of sorrow
Marinate it overnight
And work on it tomorrow.
Chop one grudge in tiny pieces
Add several cups of love
Dredge with a large sized smile
Mix with the ingredients above.
Dissolve the hate within you,
By doing a good deed
Cut in and help your friend
If he should be in need.
Stir in laughter, love an kindness
From the heart it has to come,
Toss with genuine forgiveness
And give your neighbor some.
The amount of people served
Will depend on you,
It can serve the whole wide world,
If you really want it to.
-- Author Unknown
No comments:
Post a Comment