The next series of lessons that we will be covering come from the Learn It, Live It, Bible Studies unit on the Fruit of the Spirit. The lessons will focus on Galatians 5:22-23. The Christians in Galatia were confused about their faith. Error had crept into their teaching, and the church was becoming increasingly legalistic. Paul wrote to the Galatians to call them back to the gospel of grace. He explained in very strong language that everything we are, as Christians, comes from God and from Christ’s death and resurrection. There is nothing to gain by keeping the Jewish law – our salvation comes solely from our faith in Christ.
Paul passionately urged the Galatians to live a life of freedom in the Holy Spirit rather than to fall back into the pointless practice of living by the law. He eloquently compared the life the Galatians had left, a life controlled by the sinful nature, to the life they can have in Christ, a life guided by God’s Holy Spirit. Living by the sinful nature is a life of slavery and it produces wickedness. Living by the Spirit produces the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
This Bible study will help us to learn about each of these qualities and how we can live by God’s Spirit and grow in fruitfulness. We will be breaking down the lessons to cover 2-3 weeks on each element. If you have a friend or friends to discuss the lessons with, please make a commitment to each other for that discussion time and place. If you are journaling, mark that time on your calendar so that you can be sure to get into it. 
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