May-June 2006 Syllabus Lesson 1 Lesson 2 Lesson 4 Lesson 5 Lesson 6 Lesson 7 Lesson 8
You Will Know Them By Their Fruits
In the previous lesson we studied the fruit of the Spirit called love. We considered that love for one another is proof of discipleship, and is how others will know that we are Christ's disciples.
1. By this all will ______ that you are ___ disciples, if you have __________ for one another. (John 13:35)
The same can be said of the other fruit of the Spirit. When people observe the true Christian's life they will marvel that in the turbulent world around us, we still radiate love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control.
Thornbushes And Thistles
With the same test we can tell when people are not true disciples even when they claim to be if they do not produce this fruit in their lives.
2. Beware of false prophets, who come to you in _______ ___________, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. (Matt.7:15)
3. You will know them by their _______. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? (Matt.7:16)
4. Even so, every good tree bears good fruit , but a bad tree bears _______ _________. (Matt.7:17)
5. A good tree cannot bear _____ _______, nor can a bad tree bear ________ __________. (Matt.7:18)
6. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is ______ ________ and __________ into the _____. (Matt.7:19)
7. Therefore by their ________ you will _____ them. (Matt. 7:20)
Are You Bearing Good Fruit?
We will want to keep in mind the above passage when encouraging one another to be faithful. If you know a Christian who is always depressed, impatient with others, lacking in self control etc... in the interest of their soul's eternal destiny, you would demonstrate your love if you reminded them that as Christians, we must produce the fruit of the Spirit. Of course, we should also be alert to remind ourselves to always bear this good fruit. Daily self examination and discipline helps to guarantee that we, too, are bearing good fruit.
Are You Happy?
Do you bear the fruit of the Spirit called "joy"? Are you happy? Are you content? Are you thankful?
8. The Apostle Paul wrote, "...for I have ______ in ______ state I am, to be _________." (Phil.4:11)
Was the Apostle Paul's life a bed of roses? Maybe it was, but with most of the flowers missing. We know that often he had a pretty "thorny" existence. He is a good example to show that no matter what is happening to us or around us, we can still have a joyful heart.
Are You Thankful?
Joy abounds in the thankful heart. From threads of thankfulness are woven a fabric called "joy". A thankful heart cannot be sad for long. Think about it. If you are not happy, perhaps you can remedy that by simply becoming more thankful.
One may go through the list of material blessings, thanking God for each one and still not have a heart that is brimming with joy. For joy to be complete, thankfulness for spiritual blessings must permeate the list.
All Spiritual Blessings are in Christ
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, (Eph 1:3).
If we are not in Christ, we do not have these blessings for which to be thankful, and therefore, our joy can never be complete.
The Joy Set Before Him
The Apostle Paul had joy even though he suffered daily for the cause of Christ. Our Lord did not come to this earth and live in a palace, shielded from the hardships of this life. He did not even have a bed to call his own. Yet He fixed His eyes on a future joy and this helped him to endure.
9. Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the _____ { the church, Christians are that joy to Him} that was set before Him endured the cross, __________ the _______, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)
Greater Riches
Moses focused his mind’s eye on hope in Christ. It helped him to choose righteousness and to endure his affliction.
10. By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to ________ ___________ with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he _________ ____ ____ ____________. (Heb. 11:24-26)
As Christians, we have the same expectation we can rely on for daily, moment by moment, encouragement. We, too, can endure the present difficulties, no matter what they are, by looking to the future and our reward in Heaven. This will fill our life with joy.
We can be like a little boy on the way to the candy store with a pocket full of money. He joyfully anticipates his journey's sweet end, even though neighborhood dogs growl and bark, and bullies badger him every step of the way.
Joy Comes In The Morning
Let's take a closer look at the joy that is promised to God's children.
11. Read Neh.8:9-10. What were the people of God told was the source of their strength?
12. Where is the fullness of joy? Ps. 16:11
Earthly Pain At Its Worst Is Short Lived
13. For His ________ is but for a moment, His favor is for life. Weeping may endure for a night, But ____ comes in the __________. (Ps.30:5)
14. In what do we rejoice? (Ps.89:16)
Will You Reap In Joy?
15. Those who sow in ______, shall reap in _____. (Ps. 126:5)
16. I will also clothe her priests with ________ and her saints shall shout aloud for ______. (Ps. 132:16)
Joy By The Buckets Full
17. What is in the heart of the one who draws water from the wells of salvation? (Is.12:3)
18. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with _________ . With _________ ____ on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. (Is. 35:10)
19. Tell what the kingdom is not: ____________ and ____________. (Rom.14:17)
20. Tell what the kingdom is: _______ and _____ and ____________ in the Holy Spirit. (Rom.14:17)
Christians Sometimes Find Joy in Strange Places
Please read the verses given and tell where joy is found:
21. Luke 6:22-23
22. Ac. 5:41
23. Col. 1:24
24. He.10:34
25. 1 Pet. 4:12-13
26. Rom. 5:3
27. Ja. 1:2-3
28. Thought Question: Please read II Cor.6:10 and explain how a Christian is sorrowful, yet always rejoicing. Ps. 126:5-6 also sheds some light on the subject.
Christians find joy in salvation and this helps us to withstand the trial in life. Yet not all our joy is in spite of sadness. There are many blessings God has given us that bring us joy day by day. From the following verses identify the source of joy:
29. Gen. 21:6
30. Gen. 24:67
31. Ps. 127:3-5
32. Luke l:13-14
33. Lu. 15:32
34. De. 8:10
35. Acts 2:44-47
36. Ps. 100
37. Ec. 3:13
Many Sources Of Joy
From what we have studied together in this lesson, we then can conclude that there are many sources for a Christian's joy and that all true joy comes from God.
The measure of our joy is equal to our thankfulness. Our joy comes from our own salvation and the hope of Heaven. It comes from teaching others, encouraging others and seeing them turn to God.
We receive joy from our physical families, our church family and from our physical blessings, all given by God. A Christian has many reasons to have the fruit of the Spirit called JOY.