Fruits of the Spirit
Update 26 Dec 2014: The podcast links for BLASTcast in 2009 are unfortunately broken due to a server change. 🙁
Cross-posted to the BLASTcast blog and podcast.
We continued our discussions [in our 5th grade Sunday school class] about why God created us and how we are called to live by:
- reading and discussing Galatians 5:22-23 today in class
- listening to the song “Fruit of the Spirit” by Uncle Charlie (watching the lyrics too on DVD)
- recording a five minute podcast about our thoughts on these fruits of the spirit.
As we continue to go to school, work, and home in this Christmas season, we want to remember that Jesus is the “reason for the season” and we should focus on the gifts he gives us, when we invite God’s Holy Spirit to enter into our lives and direct our actions.
We brainstormed some of the “Non-Christian Messages of Christmas” in class today. This is what we came up with:
1. Just give gifts
2. Santa Claus
3. Christmas Lights
4. Buy me / purchase stuff
5. Christmas Tree
We also discussed some of the “Christmas Messages / Symbols” of the season, including:
1. Christmas Star (Jesus)
2. Candy Cane
Next week we will talk more about candy canes, again in the context of “Why I am I here?” and “How am I supposed to live my life?”
We reviewed that the candles of the advent wreath represent:
- Hope
- Peace
- Love
- Joy
In reading, discussing, and listening to Galatians 5:22-23 (both in the NIV version and “The Message“) we discussed these fruits of the spirit and what they mean to us in greater depth. According to the Apostle Paul, writing to the Galatians, the “fruits of the spirit” are:
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Patience
- Kindness
- Faithfulness
- Gentleness
- Self-control
Just as we recognize a tree by its fruits, other should recognize we are Christians by seeing these “fruits of the spirit” in the way we act toward others every day. In addition to remembering and focusing on the meaning of the four candles of Advent, we also want to focus our minds and our efforts on demonstrating the fruits of the spirit this Christmas season.
We sent a parent letter home today, which you can also download in PDF format. (This online version does NOT include the password to join our new online learning community, however, the link to our iSHARE project spreadsheet or home/cell phone numbers. Alternate online contact information/methods for Wes are available.)
Please listen to our podcast this week and discuss these ideas with your family at home this week!
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