‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.’ Galatians 5:22-25 (TNIV).

These words were written by the apostle Paul at a time when the churches in Galatia were experiencing considerable turmoil. They were being influenced by a group of Jewish Christians to depart from the Gospel which Paul had taught. They were no longer ‘keeping in step with the Spirit’, but instead were being led by others who were convincing them to return to some of the old ways – to some of the legalistic works of the Old Testament.

Throughout his letter, Paul affirms the freedom that the churches have from the old ways. He stresses that it is by faith in Jesus Christ, not through the law, that people are brought into the right relationship with God. And it is through faith that they are to live out their new life in the freedom of the Spirit.

Paul also points out that Christian freedom brings with it a requirement for believers to allow themselves be led by the Spirit and, in doing so, to display the Fruit of the Spirit.

Over the next 14 weeks, Discovery Groups will provide us with the opportunity to study the Fruit of the Spirit and to examine how well each of us is being led by the Spirit. It’s an opportunity for all of us to work on cultivating His Fruit, to better model Christ and to become his showcase.

R.J. Krejcir puts it well when he states ‘The cultivation of our Fruitful faith becomes the practical aspect of living and loving life and is the current God uses in us to show that the Gospel is real as it resides in us and resounds to those around us.’ (Discipleship Tools, www.discipleshiptools.org).