RCCG JUNIOR ZEAL (AGES: 9-12) TEACHER’S MANUAL SUNDAY 27TH OF DECEMBER, 2020
LESSON: SEVENTEEN (17) TOPIC: BEAR FRUITS OF CHARACTER
MEMORY VERSE: Ephesians 5.9 “For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.”
BIBLE TEXT: 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.
LESSON AIM: To let children know the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
CENTRAL TRUTH: The fruit of the Spirit gives us power to be Christ like.
INTRODUCTION:
A lot of people did not actualise their dreams in the Bible simply because they lacked character. A good example of such a person is Samson. Although he was a very powerful man, he lacked self-control and disobeyed constantly God till he ended up in the camp of the Philistines. Character is who we are on the inside and as children of God, God wants us to live a completely balanced life both internally and externally. We are to glorify God in our thoughts and actions and in our bodies which are the temple of God. This can be achieved by depending on the Spirit of God.
STUDY GUIDE:
A: WHAT IS THE FRUIT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT?
1 The fruit is the evidence of the Spirit filled sanctified life.
2 A life characterised by good works through the power of the Holy Ghost.
3 A developed christian character.
The fruit of the Spirit is the result of the Holy Spirit’s presence and working in the lives of maturing believers and it is listed in Galatians 5:22-23. Fruit refers to the natural product of a living thing. Paul used the word fruit to help us to understand the product of the Holy Spirit, who lives inside every believer. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is produced by the Spirit, not by the Christian. As physical fruits need to grow and ripen, so does the Spirit’s fruit in our lives need to grow and mature. The Holy Spirit gives us the power we need to reject the old sinful desires which are weeds, which hinder the growth of the Spirit’s fruit in us.
As we give the Spirit more control of our lives, He begins to do in and through us what only He can do. He shapes us and grows us to look like Jesus. (2 Corinthians 3:17-18).
B: WHAT IS CHARACTER?
1. Mental and moral qualities distinctive to an individual.
2. Moral strength.
3. Habits or traits peculiar to a person or individual.
C: THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT:
1. Love: True love is a choice and not a feeling. Love always seeks the welfare of others. It is the primary key to everything. It is the bookend that helps us hold the other fruit in place. This love surpasses human understanding and causes a person to be filled with the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:18-19). The divine characteristics of this kind of love are detailed in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. It is patient and kind. It never fails.
2. Joy: This is the fruit that represents a great delight or happiness caused by something exceptional, good and satisfying. Joy gives spiritual strength. Hebrews 12:2
3. Peace: Peace means a state of rest or tranquillity. It also denotes peace with God, with man and with ourselves. We maintain peace with God by believing and trusting Him and by not sinning. We maintain peace with our fellow men by not allowing strife to be a part of our relationships with other people. We maintain peace with ourselves by being happy with who we are and by refusing to live in guilt and condemnation.
4. Longsuffering: This means long and patient endurance in times of trouble, injury or provocation. Longsuffering is love on trial. It makes you to be emotionally strong and forgive others. Colossians 3:13
5. Gentleness: It means being moderate and kind. It also means the absence of harshness or severity. This is illustrated in 1 Thessalonians 2:7
6. Goodness: This is moral excellence or virtue. God is the ultimate example of goodness. Goodness is holiness put into practice and results from knowing God. Goodness enables you to do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:27) as well as those of the household of faith (Galatians 6:10). It is the goodness and the grace of God that leads people to repentance.
7. Faithfulness: Faithfulness is the act of being faithful. Do what you say you are going to do. Be known as someone people can trust because you are reliable. It means being constant, loyal and showing a strong sense of duty or responsibility.
8. Meekness: Being humble and patient. Meekness is not being weak but rather servant-like submission to God and others in your care. Your spirit is free from rebellion and pride. Meekness can also be described as being free from pride and arrogance.
9 Temperance: Self-control, moderation or self-restraint in action or statement. It means having control over your entire being (body, soul and spirit). A person who has self-control is mild and calm. He avoids extreme behaviours.
CONCLUSION:
Christian character is produced by the Holy Spirit that indwells believers, not by self efforts.
INVITATION: For you to bear the fruit of the Holy Spirit you must accept Jesus Christ into your life.
ACTIVITY: Mention 5 (five) people in the Bible that borne the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
LIFE APPLICATION: When we allow the Holy Spirit to take total control of our lives, we will produce godly character. The fruit of the character reflects in how you relate with others and your behaviour. The word of God says that by their fruits we shall know them. What type of fruit do you bear?
DAILY DEVOTIONAL:
1. SUNDAY: 1 Corinthians 13:1-13
2. MONDAY: 1 Corinthians 14:1-19
3. TUESDAY: 1 Corinthians 14:20-25
4. WEDNESDAY: 1 Corinthians 14:26-40
5. THURSDAY: 1 Corinthians 15:1-11
6. FRIDAY: 1 Corinthians 15:12-19
7. SATURDAY: 1 Corinthians 15:20-34