1. powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente http://clarovicente.weebly.com Adult Bible Study Guide Jan Feb Mar 2010 Adult Bible Study Guide Jan Feb Mar 2010

2. Dear User … This PowerPoint Show is freely shared to all who may find it beneficial. While intended primarily for personal use, some find it useful for teaching the lesson in church. There are those, however, who add illustrations, change background, adjust font size, etc. While their intention may be good, this is not right. Slide #1 says “designed by claro ruiz vicente.” For honest Christians, it is not necessary for another’s creation to be copyrighted in order to be respected. PLEASE USE AS IS. The Fruit of the Spirit is… An Appeal

3. Contributor Richard O’Ffill Principal Contributor T HE F RUIT OF THE S PIRIT

4. The Fruit of the Spirit Contents 1. “By Their FRUIT…” 2. The Fruit of the Spirit is LOVE 3. The Fruit of the Spirit is JOY 4. The Fruit of the Spirit is PEACE 5. The Fruit of the Spirit is PATIENCE 6. The Fruit of the Spirit is KINDNESS 7. The Fruit of the Spirit is GOODNESS 8. The Fruit of the Spirit is FAITHFULNESS 9. The Fruit of the Spirit is MEEKNESS 10. The Fruit of the Spirit is SELF-CONTROL 11. The Fruit of the Spirit is RIGHTEOUSNESS 12. The Fruit of the Spirit is TRUTH 13. The Fruit of the Spirit: The Essence of CHRISTIAN CHARACTER

5. The Fruit of the Spirit Our Goal {5} The purpose of this quarter’s lessons is not to focus on how we can become more patient or more loving or more gentle or more faithful but on how we can let the Holy Spirit make us more like Jesus, who is patience, love, gentleness, and faithfulness personified.

6. The Fruit of the Spiri Lesson 2, January 9 The Fruit of the Spiri Lesson 2, January 9 The Fruit of the Spirit Is Love

7. Key Text 1 Corinthians 13:13 NKJV “And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” “In this life we have three lasting qualities— faith, hope and love. But the greatest of them is love.” Phillips

8. The Fruit of the Spirit Is Love Initial Words {20} Love is the paramount virtue for Christians because it is the trait that most characterizes God. It was love that motivated God to create us, to sustain us, to make Himself known to us, and to give us His Son in order to redeem us. Because love is so central to His character, love must be central to ours, as well.

9. The Fruit of the Spirit Is Love Quick Look 1. Love Defined (Deuteronomy 6:5) 2. Love Applied (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) 3. Love Tested (Matthew 5:43-45)

10. The Fruit of the Spirit Is Love 1. Love Defined Deuteronomy 6:5 NKJV “ ‘You shall love the LORD our God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.’ ”

11. 1.Love Defined Multidimensional {21} In Deuteronomy 6:5, the Hebrew word for love is ahabta, which refers primarily to love exhibited by the will, mind, and actions rather than by feelings or emotions. This is the highest kind of love, for it motivated one to do what is right and noble no matter how one feels.

12. 1.Love Defined Multidimensional {21} The number-one command was to love God with their whole heart, soul, mind, and, as Mark adds, strength (see Mark 12:30). In pointing out all four aspects of the human being, Jesus simply is calling together all that a person is. He is saying, “You need to love God with your entire being.”

13. 1.Love Defined Multidimensional {21} To love your neighbor as yourself means to love all people with your whole heart. The love spoken of in this “second commandment” is the same as in the “first commandment.” It is love in action, involving the will and intention. To love our neighbor as ourselves means to take care of someone else the same way you would take care of yourself.

14. The Fruit of the Spirit Is Love 2. Love Applied 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 NKJV Love suffers long and is kind; … bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.

15. 2. Love Applied What Love Does {23} What our homes would be like if by God’s grace we consistently practiced the qualities of true love. You can’t argue against love; it’s the most powerful force in all of creation. People can argue against your theology, your lifestyle, your beliefs, your faith— everything. But what argument can they use against unconditional love?

16. Love … does not envy; … does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in truth. We see that the word love as used in the popular culture falls far short of a correct understanding of the love of God. 2. Love Applied What Love Doesn’t Do {23}

17. Matthew 5:43-45 NKJV “ ‘You have heard that is was said, “You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.’ ” The Fruit of the Spirit Is Love 3. Love Tested

18. By Enemies {27} An enemy is an opponent, a rival, a competitor, a challenger, a contender. An enemy is one who hates you or who mistreats you. The enemy is not limited to someone who would threaten our lives but is anyone who causes us enough consternation to tempt us to retaliate.

19. “I was hungry, and you formed a humanities club to discuss it. I was imprisoned, but you complained about the crime rate. I was naked, and you debated the morality of my appearance. I was sick, and you thanked God for your health. I was homeless, and you preached to me about the shelter of God’s love. 3. Love Tested By Neighbors {29}

20. You seem so holy and so close to God; but I’m still hungry, lonely, cold, and in pain. Does it matter?” Be honest. What kind of lifestyle changes would you make so that you can be a good Samaritan to others? 3. Love Tested By Neighbors {29}

21. The Fruit of the Spirit Is Love Final Words {22} Unfortunately, the word love is used very loosely today. We often say that we love the weather, we love our favorite food, we love our dog. But these kinds of love do not pass the test of true Godlike love. It’s something altogether different, something that impacts our entire existence, our way of life, our way of relating to others.