After that, I desire to teach my children to show godly character. Not only do I want to model godly character for my kids, I want to teach them about the aspects of character the Bible tells us Christians will display–the fruit of the Spirit.
The Fruit of the Spirit
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.” – Galatians 5:22-23, ESV
We know that the fruit of the Spirit is developed in us as the Lord sanctifies us, once we are saved. Believers are indwelled with the Holy Spirit, and he grows within us the fruit (or character) that God desires we display in our lives. This is an act of God that we are blessed to participate in.
Can we make our kids grow the fruit of the Spirit? No. That is an act of the Lord.
We can, however, teach our kids about godly character.
Scripture discusses more fruit than just the list we find in Galatians 5:22-23. We also read of character traits we should pursue like unity, brotherly affection, and perseverance. However, the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians is a great place to start teaching our kids about godly character.
Why Not Fruits of the Spirit?
Why does the Bible say “Fruit of the Spirit”, rather than fruits?
When the Lord works in the life of a believer, he grows fruit. We don’t pick and choose which fruit. It all shows up together. A Christian doesn’t display patience without love, or peace without kindness. Godly characteristics collectively show up in our lives as fruit.
Here are some reasons Bible activities are a GREAT tool to help you teach the Bible to your kids!
Hand-on activities are a great way for us, as parents, to help our kids remember and understand biblical concepts. I’ve put together a list of crafts and activities that you can do with your kids to help them learn about the fruit of the Spirit.
Fruit of the Spirit Crafts and Activities for Kids
1) Paint a Fruit of the Spirit craft – a tree with printable labels and verse. Check out this quick video showing you how to construct your Fruit of the Spirit Tree:
2) Make this Fruit of the Spirit lapbook while doing the accompanying Bible study.
3) Print and string this fun Fruit of the Spirit necklace.
4) Make this beautiful DIY stamped watercolor Fruit of the Spirit garland.
5) Make some cute Bear fruit bookmarks with your kids.
6) Color and assemble this Fruit of the Spirit mini-book that ties to Christian history.
7) Teach the Fruit of the Spirit with this Write, Color, and Memorize Bible verse set.
8) Print this Fruit of the Spirit craft with lessons from Christian history.
9) Play Fruit of the Spirit battleship.
Fruit of the Spirit Songs, Toys, and Stickers
Learning Resources Fruit And Veggie Tote, 17 Pieces
FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT TOTE (1 DOZEN)Fruit of the Spirit StickersFruit of the Spirit SongFruit of the Spirit SongFoam Fruit Shapes (500 Pieces)
10) Paint fruit rocks with your kids. Be sure to label them with fruits of the Spirit, and display them proudly in your garden. (I like to spray painted rocks with polyurethane.)
11) Read a fabulous book about the Fruit of the Spirit together.
12) Fold these adorable fruit printables and label them with the fruit of the Spirit.
13) Follow this super cute template to make a Fruit of the Spirit garland–just write the fruit names on with a permanent marker.
14) Memorize 144 Bible verses about the Fruit of the Spirit with this cute Bible memory verse card set.
15) Make these beautiful glass pebble Fruit of the Spirit magnets.
16) Print out this Fruit of the Spirit word search.
17) Print these fun, free Fruit of the Spirit bookmarks for your kids.
Well, there you have it. A list of fruit of the Spirit crafts and activities your kids are sure to love!
Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible
You want your kids to learn and love the Bible.
You want to teach the Bible…
As parents, we deeply desire the best for our kids. We look for the right schools, we make them eat right and exercise, and we get them involved in extracurricular activities. We take our job as parents seriously.
But are we also putting our time and energy into
teaching them the Bible? Giving them the life-changing, soul-nourishing words of Scripture is not only doable, it’s an essential part of parenting kids for Jesus. And the good news is, studying God’s Word as a family doesn’t have to be difficult!
2 Timothy 2:15, ESV, says:
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved,
a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
Our job, as parents who love Jesus, is to help our kids become approved workers, unashamed and rightly handling the word of truth.
The good news? Teaching the Bible isn’t hard. Your family can learn the Bible together.
…and you can!
A Crash Course in Teaching the Bible to Your Kids
Danika Cooley’s book, Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible, will give you the tools and confidence to study the Bible as a family. It will help you identify and overcome your objections and fears, give you a crash course in what the Bible is all about and how to teach it, and provide the guidance you need to set up a family Bible study habit.
You will finish this book feeling encouraged and empowered to initiate and strengthen your child’s relationship with the Lord through His Word.
Help Your Kids Learn and Love the Bible will equip you with everything you need to know to teach the Bible to your kids!
Thinking Kids Posts You’ll Love
Join the newsletter
Get the Family Prayer Box Project FREE!
Teach your children to pray with this fun project that includes 7 printable sets!
Thank you so much for the ideas! Fun, practical, memorable!