We will be studying the fruit of the Spirit. However, not only looking at the fruit, but also at the many sins of our flesh that fight against the fruit of the Spirit. Your goal is to help your students become champions. To do this, they need to not only memorize the memory verses and learn the Bible stories, but they also need to put the fruit of the spirit into action in their everyday lives.
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23
Love vs. Selfishness
Bible story: Jesus dies on the cross
Mathew 27:27-56
Memory Verse"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters." 1 John 3:16
Play a game that your friends suggest, play at the time they want (if you have permission) and play it for as long as they want. Do not mention to them what you desire to play. This time, your desires do not matter, because you are showing real LOVE with no thought for yourself.
Love vs. Judgmental Attitude
Bible story: Speck of dust and plank
Matthew 7:1-5
Memory Verse“Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." Matthew 7:1-2
Tell someone "Good job" and compliment them for something good that you see. Bring a small pocket mirror around with you all day. When you are tempted to judge someone, take out the pocket mirror and look at yourself. Remind yourself that you do not need to help others fix their faults today.
Love vs. Hatred
Bible story: Judas betrays Jesus
Matthew 26:14-16
Memory Verse"Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen." 1 John 4:20
Do something nice for someone you dislike. Hold your tongue when you see someone else cheating or about to mess up. Do not tell on them or get them in trouble.
Love vs. Self-Justification
Bible story: Parable Good Samaritan
Luke 10:25-37
Memory Verse“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27
Stop to help someone in need this week, ignoring all the excuses you may have for not doing it. Do something special for someone who is not in your level of society.
Love vs. Spiritual Vanity
Bible story: David chosen as king
1 Samuel 16:1-13
Memory Verse"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 1 Cor 13:4-7
Ask God if there is a spiritual practice you should stop, as you move your focus onto LOVE. Do more actions this week to show love: do not boast, do what is best for others and not yourself, and do not hold people accountable for the wrongs they do.
Joy vs. Jealousy
Bible story: Religious leaders are jealous
Acts 5:12-33
Memory Verse"You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?" 1 Corinthians 3:3
Thank God for the spiritual gifts, physical appearance, possessions, and family that you have. Ask God to give you joy and contentment for what you have. Choose someone you may have been jealous of in the past, and give them a small gift. (Do not tell them of your past jealousy.)
Joy vs. Greed
Bible story: The rich young man
Matthew 19:16-30
Memory Verse“Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”
Luke 12:15
Give some of your own personal money to God in the offering plate at church, not knowing to whom it will go. Use some of your money to serve someone else. If you do not have any money, take a possession you have and give it away.
Joy vs. Self-Pity
Bible story: Jonah and the worm
Jonah 4:1-10
Memory Verse"For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
Help at a homeless shelter, or a ministry that feeds the poor. Alternatively, visit the sick in a hospital. Pray and ask God to open your eyes to the bigger picture, and help you take your eyes off yourself.
Joy vs. Ungratefulness
Bible story: Jesus heals the 10 lepers
Luke 17:11-19
Memory Verse"Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name." Psalm 100:4
Thank your parents (or someone else) for something they give you every day. Choose something to go without for a while, as a reminder that you may not always have it.
Peace vs. Worry
Bible story: Elijah fed by ravens
1 Kings 17:1-6
Memory Verse"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
Matthew 6:33
Share something you have with someone else, even if it means you will have to go without. Either food, clothing, bus fare, or something else that cost you money. Ask God to meet your needs.
Peace vs. Fear
Bible story: Peter walks on water
Matthew 14:22-33
Memory Verse"Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20-21
Choose something that feels impossible to do, and set aside your fear. Ask the Lord Jesus to help you do it. Then start taking steps into it. (It is a success for you to start, even if you sink as Peter did. The task is to choose something that feels impossible and try it.)
Peace vs. Discord
Bible story: Turn the other cheek
Matthew 5:38-42
Memory Verse"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18
Allow yourself to be wronged once this week. (It will most likely happen on its own.) Your assignment is to do nothing.
Peace vs. Self-Trust
Bible story: Jesus feeds the 5000
Luke 9:10-17
Memory Verse"But he said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
Ask God for an opportunity to serve Him in an area where you are weak. Sign up in your church to serve in that area. If you are quiet, speak out more this week. If you are loud, be quiet more this week.
Patience vs. Impatience
Bible story: The golden calf
Exodus 32
Memory Verse"Being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience."
Colossians 1:11
Write in the dirt something God has done for you in the past, then mark that spot with a rock. Do one at church, each student making their own special spot, and do another at home during the week. After you have marked your spot with a rock, share with someone else what God did.
Patience vs. Sorrow
Bible story: Job suffers with patience
Job 1-2
Memory Verse"My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life."
Psalm 119:50
Write a thank you to God over something where you suffered. Try to say as Job did, "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. May the name of the Lord be praised." Share with others in class your testimony if you can.
Patience vs. Pride
Bible story: King Nebuchadnezzar
Daniel 4
Memory Verse"The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride."
Ecclesiastes 7:8
Do some activities to humble yourself. You could give someone your place in line, avoid watching a TV show where the characters are full of pride, give up your spot on stage or in front of others, or allow others to be correct.
Patience vs. Anger
Bible story: David, Nabal and Abigail
1 Samuel 25
Memory Verse"'In your anger do not sin': Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry..."
Ephesians 4:26
Purchase a few small items to give away as gifts. Whenever you become angry, give an item to the person you are angry with. Try to stomp out your anger by giving small gifts to people, and watch your patience grow.
Patience vs. Entitlement
Bible story: The manna and quail
Exodus 16:1-18
Memory Verse"You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!"
James 5:8-9
This week you are owed nothing from anyone. Every time you want to ask for something, stop yourself. Each time you successfully stop yourself from asking for food, favors, time, or help; you win against this sin.
Kindness vs. Comparisons
Bible story: King Saul and David
1 Samuel 18:5-16
Memory Verse"Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else,"
Galatians 6:4
Give yourself 20 small balls at the beginning of the week. Each time you find yourself comparing yourself to others, take away one of the balls. This includes facebook or other online applications where we often compare ourselves to others. If you need to, go off facebook for the whole week.
Kindness vs. Deceit
Bible story: Peter denies Christ
Matthew 26:31-35, 69-75
Memory Verse"I do not sit with the deceitful, nor do I associate with hypocrites."
Psalm 26:4
This week, go to someone that you have lied to, and tell them the truth. Apologize for the lie, and ask them to forgive you. Each time you return and tell the truth will be another major win against this sin.
Kindness vs. Detachment
Bible story: Ruth and Naomi
Ruth 1:8-22
Memory Verse"Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act."
Proverbs 3:27
Find someone to help, especially if they are “not your problem.” Give to a homeless person on the street, or maybe a child at school needs a new pencil or eraser. Make sure they are not related to you, and that you have no responsibility or need to help them.
Kindness vs. Malice
Bible story: Esther saves her people
Esther 3-5
Memory Verse"I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another."
Romans 15:14
Protect someone this week from someone who is being mean to them for no reason. As we protect someone else, we will also combat this sin in our own hearts. Risk your own reputation to protect someone else.
Goodness vs. Apathy
Bible story: Sodom and Gomorrah
Genesis 18:16-33
Memory Verse“Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty."
Job 6:14
Pray and ask God to increase passion in your heart this week. Look for something you can do for others to increase your passion for others. Visit a ministry and learn about what they are doing, help out in a shelter that feeds others, or watch videos about needs around the world. Participate where you can.
Goodness vs. Evil
Bible story: Herod and John the Baptist
Luke 3:18-20, Matthew 14:1-12
Memory Verse"Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."
Psalm 34:14
Look around you for the presence of evil, where someone is hurting another for apparently no reason. Find a way to intervene this week to protect the innocent person. Maybe helping them walk a different way home from school, providing a lunch, or having a group of 4 join you in walking with them.
Goodness vs. Selfish Ambition
Bible story: Tower of Babel
Genesis 11:1-9
Memory Verse"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves."
Philippians 2:3
Do nothing this week to increase your fame or popularity. Each time an opportunity arises, turn it down. As you do this, you will be punching down this very sneaky sin.
Goodness vs. Impurity
Bible story: Joseph and Potiphar
Genesis 39:1-21
Memory Verse"With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith."
2 Thessalonians 1:11
Take care of your heart this week. If something has been done against you, remember that they are the ones that sinned, not you. Say in prayer every day, “I am pure before you, God”. If you have done something against someone else, apologize to that person and to God. Then you can keep praying, “I am pure before you, God.”
Faithfulness vs Idolatry
Bible story: The Ark is captured
1 Samuel 5:1-12, 6, 7:3
Memory Verse“You shall not make for yourself an
image in the form of anything in heaven
above or on the earth beneath or in the
waters below.”
Exodus 20:4
Choose an activity to NOT participate in because it may have idolatry. It may be a custom to remove your shoes, a parade to not participate in, a sports game you choose not to attend, or not buying flowers when others do.
Faithfulness vs Disloyalty
Bible story: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego
Daniel 3:1-21
Memory Verse“Teach me your way, Lord, that I may
rely on your faithfulness; give me an
undivided heart, that I may fear your
name.”
Psalm 86:11
Find a time this week to openly admit at school or in the community that you are a Christian, and that you believe in Jesus Christ. Aft erwards, rejoice that you were loyal, despite any peer pressure you faced.
Faithfulness vs Hesitation
Bible story: The Lord calls Samuel
1 Samuel 3:1-21
Memory Verse“Now faith is confidence in what
we hope for and assurance about
what we do not see.”
Hebrews 11:1
Ask God to speak to you this week, and to have you to do something. Practice obeying immediately without hesitation. If you forget and hesitate, ask God for another assignment.
Faithfulness vs Disobedience
Bible story: Spies in Canaan
Numbers 13:1-3,17-33, 14:1-11
Memory Verse“But Moses said, ‘Why are you
disobeying the Lord’s command? This
will not succeed!’”
Numbers 14:41
Choose 2 assignments from God to do this week. The first being something God asked you NOT to do, and the other something God asked you to do. Obey God in both items to win against disobedience.
Faithfulness vs Withholding
Bible story: Abraham and Isaac
Genesis 22:1-18
Memory Verse“And without faith it is impossible to please God,
because anyone who comes to him must believe
that he exists and that he rewards those who
earnestly seek him.”
Hebrews 11:6
Is there something that God is asking you to give up this week? Take a moment to think about what that is, and then pray that God gives you the strength to give it up. It could be tea, Facebook, or a favorite food. To win this fight, choose to give that item up all week long.
Faithfulness vs Unreliability
Bible story: Noah and the Ark
Genesis 5:32, 6:1-22, 7:1-12
Memory Verse“But someone will say, “You have faith; I
have deeds.” Show me your faith without
deeds, and I will show you my faith by
my deeds.”
James 2:18
Choose an area of your life to be reliable to God. Choose something to do for God one day this week, and make sure to be reliable in it. When you finish, choose another promise to God for a day, and set what day to do it. Make sure to complete your promise.
Faithfulness vs Doubt
Bible story: Jesus appears to Thomas
John 20:24-31
Memory Verse“Then Jesus told him, “Because you have
seen me, you have believed; blessed are
those who have not seen and yet have
believed.”
John 20:29
Choose to believe God this week on something that He promised you that seems impossible. Tell God that you are willing to wait until He completes His promise. To demonstrate your willingness to wait, go stand in any line, one where you do not need to be! Write down how many minutes you waited in the line so that you can report it back to your coach.
Gentleness vs Dissension
Bible story: Abraham and Lot separate
Genesis 13:1-18
Memory Verse“Be completely humble and gentle; be
patient, bearing with one another in
love.”
Ephesians 4:2
Allow another person to win when you disagree over something. You can choose to disagree, but you must stop yourself from fighting with them over it. Allow them to have their opinion.
Gentleness vs Traditions
Bible story: Clean and unclean
Matthew 15:1-20
Memory Verse“Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews,
Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to
please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking
my own good but the good of many, so that they
may be saved.”
1 Corinthians 10:32-33
Choose kindness to someone over one of your traditions. This could mean understanding when they break your tradition, and not making a comment about it. Make sure not to hurt anyone else, or bring attention to yourself with this assignment.
Gentleness vs Bitterness
Bible story: Cain and Abel
Genesis 4:1-16
Memory Verse“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger,
brawling and slander, along with every
form of malice.”
Ephesians 4:31
Choose something or someone that you are angry with, and forgive them. Take a moment in prayer, and actually say out loud, “I forgive you.”
Self-control vs Temptations
Bible story: Jesus is tempted
Matthew 4:1-11
Memory Verse“No temptation has overtaken you except what is
common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not
let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But
when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out
so that you can endure it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13
Resist a temptation, and if you can, use scripture like Jesus did. Maintain control of your desires, and do not allow yourself to give into that temptation.
Self-control vs Lying
Bible story: Jacob steals Esau’s blessing
Genesis 27:1-36
Memory Verse“A lying tongue hates those it hurts,
and a flattering mouth works ruin.”
Proverbs 26:28
Everyone lies, even if only a little. Remember back to a lie that you have told this year. Go to that person, tell them the truth, and tell them you are sorry for lying.
Self-control vs Laziness
Bible story: The wise and foolish builders
Matthew 7:24-27
Memory Verse“If anyone, then, knows the good they
ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for
them.”
James 4:17
Fight against your laziness this week, by choosing something to do that you do not want to do. Make sure to complete it, and share your testimony with a friend.
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