Living in the Spirit: Cultivating Christlike Character
Summary
In this season, we are intentionally journeying through the Scriptures together as a church family, aligning our studies across all ages so that parents and children alike can engage in meaningful discipleship conversations at home. We’ve been tracing the story from Jesus’ final instructions to his disciples—his call to make disciples of all nations and his promise of the Holy Spirit’s empowering presence. The arrival of the Spirit at Pentecost was not just a dramatic event, but the beginning of a new reality: God’s Spirit now dwells with and within all who trust in Christ, equipping us for his mission.
Turning to Galatians 5, we confront a question that has echoed through church history: What does a genuine move of the Holy Spirit look like? Many traditions and backgrounds have their own answers, but Paul gives us a clear, tangible picture—the fruit of the Spirit. These nine qualities—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are not requirements for salvation, but evidence of the Spirit’s transforming work in our lives. They are not simply moral improvements or personality traits, but the very character of God being formed in us.
The early church wrestled with two extremes: legalism (trying to earn God’s favor through performance) and lawlessness (neglecting obedience because of grace). The Spirit leads us away from both, guiding us into a life that reflects Christ. The fruit of the Spirit is not something we manufacture by sheer effort; rather, it grows as we remain connected to Jesus, the true vine. Our role is to cultivate that connection, allowing the Spirit to shape us over time—often through challenges and trials that teach us patience, kindness, and gentleness.
Patience, for example, is not passive waiting but active endurance without retaliation or losing emotional stability. Kindness and goodness flow from seeing people as Jesus does, moving us to action on behalf of the vulnerable and marginalized. Gentleness, far from weakness, is the strength of Christlike humility. Ultimately, the goal is not the fruit itself, but deeper connection to Jesus. The Spirit’s true work is to draw us closer to Christ, so that our lives increasingly reflect his love and character to the world.
Key Takeaways
- The Holy Spirit’s presence is not just a one-time event but an ongoing reality, empowering us to live out Christ’s mission. The Spirit’s arrival at Pentecost marked the beginning of God’s indwelling presence, equipping every believer for the work of making disciples and living out the gospel in daily life. [06:16]
- The fruit of the Spirit is the evidence of God’s character being formed in us, not a checklist for salvation. These qualities—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are the natural outgrowth of a life rooted in Christ, not the result of our own striving. [19:26]
- Patience is cultivated through embracing difficult circumstances, not avoiding them. True patience is the ability to endure hardship and opposition without seeking revenge or losing emotional stability, and it is often developed through the very trials we wish to escape. [26:03]
- Kindness and goodness require seeing others through the eyes of Jesus and acting on their behalf, especially the vulnerable. The early church’s radical care for children, the sick, and the marginalized was a direct result of the Spirit’s work, and we are called to continue this legacy by putting our beliefs into action. [31:19]
- Spiritual growth is about connection to Jesus, not mere effort or self-improvement. The fruit of the Spirit grows as we abide in Christ, allowing his life to flow through us; our focus should be on deepening our relationship with him, trusting that transformation will follow. [38:10]
Youtube Chapters
[00:00] - Welcome
[02:21] - Why We Study the Bible Together as a Church
[03:00] - Jesus’ Mission and the Promise of the Spirit
[04:19] - The Disciples’ Waiting and Praying
[05:37] - The Holy Spirit Arrives and Stays
[06:16] - A New Reality: The Spirit With and In Us
[06:57] - What Does a Move of the Holy Spirit Look Like?
[08:45] - Reading Galatians 5:22-23
[10:45] - Problems in the Early Church: Legalism and Lawlessness
[13:51] - The Spirit as the Solution to Extremes
[15:08] - The Fruit of the Spirit Defined
[16:56] - The Fruit as Evidence, Not Requirement
[19:26] - God’s Character Formed in Us
[21:19] - Patience: Enduring in a Culture of Instant Gratification
[28:01] - Kindness and Goodness: Belief in Action
[33:44] - Gentleness: Strength in Humility
[36:20] - Connection, Not Effort: How Fruit Grows
[38:10] - Abiding in Christ: The Source of Transformation
[41:22] - The Spirit Glorifies Jesus
[43:54] - The Spirit’s Invitation: Come to Jesus
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Fruit of the Spirit and Life in the Spirit
---
### Bible Reading
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
> But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
---
### Observation Questions
1. According to Galatians 5:22-23, what are the nine qualities that make up the fruit of the Spirit?
2. In the sermon, what were the two main problems the early church faced that Paul addresses in Galatians? ([10:45])
3. How does the sermon describe the difference between “goodness” and “kindness”? ([28:01])
4. What does the pastor say is the most important thing to remember about how the fruit of the Spirit grows in our lives? ([36:20])
---
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul call these qualities “fruit” of the Spirit instead of “requirements” for salvation? What does this say about how they are produced in our lives? ([16:56])
2. The sermon mentions that patience is not just passive waiting, but “active endurance without retaliation or losing emotional stability.” Why is this distinction important for understanding biblical patience? ([26:03])
3. How does the Holy Spirit help believers avoid the extremes of legalism and lawlessness, according to the sermon? ([13:51])
4. The pastor says the goal is not the fruit itself, but deeper connection to Jesus. How does this change the way we think about spiritual growth? ([39:30])
---
### Application Questions
1. The sermon says that the fruit of the Spirit is evidence of God’s character being formed in us, not a checklist for salvation. Are there times when you have treated these qualities like a checklist? How did that affect your spiritual life? ([16:56])
2. Think of a recent situation where you were impatient. How might you have responded differently if you saw that moment as an opportunity to grow in patience through the Spirit? ([26:03])
3. The early church was known for radical kindness and goodness, especially to the vulnerable. Is there a group or individual in your community who needs to experience this kind of kindness from you? What is one practical step you could take this week? ([31:19])
4. The sermon describes gentleness as “the strength of Christlike humility,” not weakness. Can you recall a time when you confused gentleness with weakness? How might you approach similar situations differently now? ([35:02])
5. The pastor emphasized that spiritual growth is about connection to Jesus, not just trying harder. What are some ways you can intentionally deepen your connection to Jesus this week? ([38:10])
6. Are there areas in your life where you tend toward legalism (trying to earn God’s favor) or lawlessness (neglecting obedience)? How can you invite the Holy Spirit to guide you toward balance? ([13:51])
7. The sermon asks, “Do you love Jesus more today than you did before?” How would you honestly answer that question? What might help you grow in your love for Jesus? ([42:35])
---
Closing Prayer Suggestion:
Invite the group to pray for the Holy Spirit to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in each person’s life, and for a deeper connection to Jesus above all.
