Fruits of the Spirit Lessons for Kids

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23

I had extensive Bible training growing up. My family memorized all sorts of scriptures and Bible text.

I can even remember playing games and challenges with scriptures. One of the most talked about sections of the Bible for a Christian is the Fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5:22-23. And one of the scriptures I can still recite from memory is:

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. All glory to Him both now and forever, Amen! – 2 Peter 3:18

As parents, we usually start our children off with this text as it helps reinforce the behaviors we desire then to display as they are growing up. We want to do our best to help them grow in their knowledge of Christ. However, kids are kids, and they often spend more time doing the opposite of the fruit they should be displaying.

If the Fruits of the Spirit really were fruit, my boys would be throwing them instead of using them!

So I have a confession. I don’t like dogs! After having one bad experience of being chased by a St. Bernard, that pretty much ruined any chances of my kids ever getting a dog as a pet. But my resistance to dogs hasn’t stopped my children from loving them or asking to get one. So when I came across the new book, Pups of the Spirit, I knew my kids would love it. Let me start by saying it is now one of our favorite books! In this picture book, nine lovable canines romp through the pages displaying the important Fruit of the Spirit traits. It is so cute. My kids (even the older ones) really got into it and started selecting the pups that were most like them. My youngest even took it to share with her preschool class, which just happened to be studying the fruits of the spirit at the same time.

We always want to make sure that we use materials that will reinforce our faith to our children. Having things that meet them where they are and capture their attention is always most effective. This book is definitely one that does. So what are some ways we can help our children practice the Fruits of the Spirit?

The main message to get across to kids is that when we have accepted Jesus as our Savior, the Holy Spirit makes His home in our hearts. As we grow in the Spirit, we are like a tree that keeps growing and producing fruit. These outward signs of the Holy Spirit are called “fruit” because fruit is only produced in a healthy, living plant. As you grow in the Spirit, others should see the fruits of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These are all the good qualities that God wants us to have!

Ways to Teach Children about the Fruits of the Spirit

1. Apply the Fruits of the Spirit in real-life situations. For instance, when my oldest daughter, who is 12, has an issue with a friend at school I often ask her how she can pursue peace in the situation or practice patience.
2. Create a Fruits of the Spirit praise jar in your kitchen for a month and write down whenever you catch your child in action showing one of the fruits. Set a goal and at the end of the month go out for banana splits or FroYo with fruit toppings!
3. Use age-appropriate material to reinforce this Bible lesson, like the book Pups of the Spirit. Try anything that is easy for a child to understand and easy for them to remember!
4. Make some Fruits of the Spirit crafts. There are so many great ideas on Pinterest! Many of them also incorporate easy Bible lessons.
5. Don’t forget to have fun! We like to play Fruits of the Spirit Jeopardy. Sample: The restaurant was taking a long time with my food. Instead of getting mad, I continued to wait. Answer: What is Patience?

There are so many ways to help our children learn the Fruits of the Spirit. Even as adults we need reminders ourselves as we go about our daily lives. The traffic at my local DMV alone is a constant battle against my faith and my need to walk in the fruits of patience and self-control! (Perhaps I should just keep this book with me in the car.)

Watch the Video for Pups of the Spirit

* * *

Your Turn

How do you practice the Fruits of the Spirit? What creative ways do you use to teach your kids to walk in the Fruits of the Spirit?