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The Fruit of the Spirit

Teacher's Guide - this is just one possible lesson plan.  Visit the Fruit of the Spirit Bible lesson plan for further ideas to supplement this.

Introduction:

This lesson is about the fruit of the spirit.  This lesson will explain briefly who the Holy Spirit is and that only He can provide us with the gifts of the Spirit.  Once we have become Christians we are eligible to receive the fruit of the spirit and will be given more fruits as we grow in holiness.  We cannot attain these attributes on our own but they are given to us in special measure in a way only the Spirit can provide.

The message:  

Preschool thru Grade 1:  The fruit of the Spirit are gifts from God.
  
Grades 2 and 3:  We are given the fruit of the Spirit as we grow in the Spirit.

I've split this message into two separate ones depending on the age level.  For the younger children, the message is simple:  The fruit of the spirit are gifts from God.  For the older children, we expand on this message and say: We are given the fruits as we grow in the Spirit.  Only by knowing the Spirit will we be able to act as we should and be able to know what the Spirit asks of us.  

Make sure you repeat the message many times during the lesson.  Send the Fruit of the Spirit Take Home Sheet  home with the children to encourage parents to reiterate the message during the week.  It includes a poster at the bottom that the children can color and hang on their wall or refrigerator. 

Preview of the lesson:

Some people like to do craft time first and story time second and some like to switch it around.  I like the first option, myself.

Always consider offering Fruit Coloring Pages for further ideas for children who aren't interested in participating in the group activity (or if you get done the group activities very quickly and need something to fill in the spare time).  Everyone has a need for "alone time" once in awhile.  Also, sending home the coloring pages with the Take Home sheet provides parents with much needed help in reinforcing the lessons.  You can make a nice little booklet each week with the take home sheet on top -- I promise that most parents will appreciate the effort! 

Description

Time Allotted

Supplies
Welcome!  

Receive name tags.  Have the children use crayons, markers, yarn, feathers and whatever other materials (such as sparkle glue) that you have available to personalize their name tag.

Sing the Learning our Names song 

 10 to 15 minutes Fruit name tags, scissors (or adults can precut),  crayons, markers, yarn, safety pins or tape.

Craft time!

Preschool and Grades 1-3: There are a variety of craft choices on this craft page depending on what you would like to focus on in this lesson.  There are fruit crafts which are easy to do with younger children (cutting, coloring and gluing templates), or a variety of animal crafts for all ages that coincide with the fruits of the spirit (peace-dove, gentleness-lamb) etc.

  

15 to 30 minutes 
depending on your
adult/child ratio		 Preschool and Grades 1-3: Fruit of the Spirit craft page. 

 

Bible Story Time:

Preschool thru Grade 1:  Read The Story of the Fruit of the Spirit (or read from your own store bought children's bible).   

Grades 2 and 3:  It's tough to know when it's the right time to start readings from the Bible, but if the children have been read a children's version of the story in the past, I believe this is a good age to introduce the King James (or your preferred) bible reading. 

All Grades: Read the Fruit of the Spirit poem and sing the Fruit of the Spirit cadence.

 10 minutes The Coloring Pages can be distributed to the children so they are able to color at home, or during the story.  

 

Closing:

Preschool thru Grade 1: depending on the time remaining ask the children if they can name the fruits of the spirit.  Also ask if they know Jesus and if He lives inside them?  We are only able to have the fruit of the spirit if we have Jesus living inside us.  If they want to know more they can talk to you or their parents.  

Grade 2 and 3: depending on the time remaining ask the children if they know what it means to grow in holiness.  We can never be holy but with the help of the Spirit we can grow and become more Christ-like.  How can we know what the Spirit wants?  Sometimes by reading your Bible for answers, obeying you conscience, or just sitting quietly listening to the Spirit will help us to know what He asks of us.

All Grades: Make Fruit kabobs with the class.  Talk to the children about what each fruit represents and ask them to remember that attribute the next time they eat it.  

Standard ending song:  for example

We love to learn together, 
together, together
We love to learn together
And give thanks to God.

substitute "learn" for sing, pray, etc

(to the tune of The More We Get Together)

 5 to 15 minutes  

Brainstorm Board (chalkboard, whiteboard, poster board,...)

 

 

 

 

 

Words to:

standard ending song