Nurturing Character in Kids with the Fruit of the Spirit: A Guide For Parents

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Raising children is one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences in life. As parents, we want to give our kids the best possible foundation for success and happiness. One of the keys to this success is nurturing character in children. By instilling positive traits such as kindness, patience, and self-control, we can help our kids grow into confident and well-rounded adults. One way to do this is by incorporating the Fruit of the Spirit.

What is the Fruit of the Spirit?

The Fruit of the Spirit is a biblical concept found in the book of Galatians in the New Testament.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)

It refers to nine qualities that should be evident in a person’s life if they are living in accordance with the Holy Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The most important thing to remember is that these qualities are not just moral or ethical virtues; they are spiritual fruits that come from having a relationship with God.

Why is Nurturing Character in Kids with the Fruit of the Spirit Important?

Nurturing character in kids with the Fruit of the Spirit is important for several reasons. First, it helps children develop positive traits that will serve them well throughout their lives. By teaching kids to be kind, patient, and self-controlled, we are setting them up for success in their personal and professional relationships.

Second, incorporating the Fruit of the Spirit into our parenting approach can help us stay focused on what (or WHO) is most important. In a world filled with distractions and competing priorities, it’s easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day details of raising kids. By keeping our eyes fixed on the Holy Spirit, we can stay centered on the things that matter most.

Finally, teaching children about the Fruit of the Spirit is a way to introduce them to the gospel and the love of Jesus Christ.

By demonstrating these qualities in our own lives and by teaching our kids about their significance, we are sharing the message of the gospel in a way that is accessible and meaningful.

How to Nurture Character in Kids with the Fruit of the Spirit

Nurturing character in kids with the Fruit of the Spirit requires a combination of teaching, modeling, and practice. Here are some practical tips to get started:

1. Teach your kids about the Fruit of the Spirit

Start by explaining to your kids what the Fruit of the Spirit is and why it’s important. Use simple, age-appropriate language and examples to help them understand each of the nine qualities. You can also use stories from the Bible to illustrate the concept. Here are some specific fruit of the Spirit lesson plans and activities to help you teach kids about the Fruit of the Spirit!

• The fruit of the Spirit is LOVE: lesson plan and activities
• The fruit of the Spirit is JOY: lesson plan and activities
• The fruit of the Spirit is PEACE: lesson plan and activities
• The fruit of the Spirit is PATIENCE: lesson plan and activities
• The fruit of the Spirit is KINDNESS: lesson plan and activities
• The fruit of the Spirit is GOODNESS: lesson plan and activities
• The fruit of the Spirit is FAITHFULNESS: lesson plan and activities
• The fruit of the Spirit is GENTLENESS: lesson plan and activities
• The fruit of the Spirit is SELF-CONTROL: lesson plan and activities

2. Model the Fruit of the Spirit in your own life

One of the most powerful ways to teach your kids about the Fruit of the Spirit is by demonstrating these qualities in your own life. When your kids see you being patient, kind, and self-controlled, they will be more likely to internalize these traits.

Even when you’re not modeling these traits, if you allow your kids to hear you calling on Jesus to help you, and if you apologize when you’ve missed the mark and ask them to pray for you, they’ll start to make the connection between these amazing character traits and the power of God in our lives.

3. Practice the Fruit of the Spirit together

Practice makes improvement, and the same is true for the Fruit of the Spirit. Encourage your kids to practice these qualities in their daily lives. For example, you can challenge them to be patient with a sibling or to show kindness to a friend. You can also find opportunities to practice self-control, such as avoiding sweets or resisting the urge to lash out when angry.

As you do, remember to invite them to ASK GOD for help. Remind them that the Fruits of the Spirit don’t come when we’re relying on ourselves, but when we’re leaning on God for help.

4. Celebrate progress

It’s important to acknowledge and celebrate when we’ve seen process in each other! You can actually call your child out and say something like, “hey! I see that God really helped you be patient there! Thanks for letting God work his patience in you.”

A Book to Help Nurture Character in Kids Through the Fruit of the Spirit

If you want help teaching the fruit of the Spirit in a gospel-focused, make sure to grab a copy of the book, “Fruit Full: 100 Family Experiences for Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit”.

Grab your own copy of the book here, or nab the related Fruit of the Spirit curriculum by entering your email address below!