Scripture Text: 2 Peter 3

Memory Verse: But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.

Lesson Aim: To inspire believers to pursue growth in the grace and knowledge of Christ.2 Peter 3:18

In 2 Peter 3:18, Peter admonished the saints to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. What does it mean to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord? We have understood grace to be God’s unmerited favor, the gift of His Son being

Scripture Text: 2 Peter 1:1-8

Lesson Aim: To define and explain temperance as a fruit of the Spirit.

Memory Verse: But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness. 2 Peter 1:5-6

Temperance is defined as self-control (Vine’s Bible Dictionary), something that is difficult to demonstrate without the operation of the Holy Spirit in one’s life. This is important because by exercising this part of the fruit of the Spirit the child of God is able to lead a balanced life. Without temperance,

Scripture Text: Ephesians 4:1-6

Memory Verse: To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men. Titus 3:2

Lesson Aim: To explain the true meaning of meekness and its characteristics.

In contrast to the ancient near-east and Greco-Roman world, the 21^st Century western culture does not hold meekness to be a virtue. This dramatic shift in values causes a problem for contemporary biblical translation. Some modern versions of the Bible replace the noun “meekness” with “gentleness” or “humility”.

The meaning of the word “meek” is much misunderstood. Many think of a

Scripture Text: Matthew 25:14-30

Memory Verse: Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. 1 Corinthians 4:2

Lesson Aim: To understand faith(fulness) as an element of the fruit of the Spirit.

As we have progressed in our study of the fruit of the Spirit, it should be obvious by now that believers should seek to display all facets of the fruit of the Spirit as evidence of change. Faith is no exception. The Greek word “pistis” translated in Galatians 5:22 as “faith” can also be rendered as “fidelity” or “faithfulness”.

Faith is a must for successful

Scripture Text: John 5:1-18

Memory Verse: Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. Galatians 6:10

Lesson Aim: To understand the goodness element of the fruit of the Spirit in order for us to grow and exhibit goodness.

Goodness. Merely mentioning the word creates images of kindness, peace, thoughtfulness, giving, helpfulness, love, etc. Goodness is, “in character or constitution, the act of being or doing good”. God is essentially absolutely and totally good. However, as followers of Christ, this particular attribute of the fruit of the

Scripture Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Memory Verse: And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient. 2 Timothy 2:24

Lesson Aim: To define and understand the power of gentleness.

What is gentleness? Gentleness is derived from the Greek word epiekeia or epiekia which denotes fairness, moderation, kindness, “sweet reasonableness.” (Vine’s Bible dictionary) Gentleness requires surrendering one’s will completely to Jesus and allowing the Holy Spirit to lead and guide you.

Imagine the wonderful smell of a mango. Now imagine how ripe and pretty this mango looks. Continue to imagine yourself cutting

Scripture Text: 2 Peter 3:9-18

Memory Verse: Strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy. Colossians 1:11

Lesson Aim: To define longsuffering and how Jesus demonstrated it for us.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines longsuffering as “patiently enduring wrongs or difficulties.” Longsuffering is not just patience, but patience under affliction, patience while being mistreated, patience in the midst of difficulties and persecution.

If we break it down, we can see that: (1) Long: extending for a considerable distance or time period; (2) Suffering: to submit to or be forced to endure;

Scripture Text: Philippians 4:4-9

Memory Verse: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1

Lesson Aim: To understand peace and show how the Holy Spirit works in our lives to produce peace.

The third element of the fruit of the Spirit is peace. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus produces peace within the heart of the surrendered believer. He has, “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). The believer can experience peace in spite of turmoil and confusion.

Worry, anxiety, and fear are

Scripture Text: John 16:20-28

Memory Verse: Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3

Lesson Aim: To define joy and explain why believers should experience the fullness of joy.

The second element of the fruit of the Spirit is joy. Joy is distinctively characteristic of the Christian life. Joy within the believer is a result of Christ’s work through His indwelling power. Jesus wants to give His joy to the believer.

According to Job 14:1, “Man who is born of woman Is of few days and full of trouble.” Thus, we can conclude

Scripture Text: 1 John 4:7-21

Memory Verse: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. John 13:34

Lesson Aim: To emphasize the importance of love as the fruit of the Spirit.

Love is important to God. Perhaps this is why love is first in the list of the fruit of the Spirit. God commands His people to love—to love Him (Deuteronomy 6:5), to love one another (1 John 4:7), and to even love our enemies (Matthew 5:44). Jesus said that the love we have