Throughout Scripture there is an emphasis on spiritual fruit and the metaphor of being a growing plant that is connected to a sustaining source. Everyone from the psalmists to Jesus talked about being a person whose life grows healthy spiritual fruit. Have you ever wondered what that means or how this spiritual fruit grows?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is this fruitfulness? It is moving toward spiritual maturity, becoming more and more like Jesus. In a word, fruitfulness is Christlikeness \u2014 Jesus increasing in me produces the fruit that honors God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Discover through this Bible study how God grows spiritual fruit in your life and the ways spiritual practices like Bible study and prayer become a conduit of connection to God rather than \u201cshoulds\u201d to check off a list.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Read Matthew 23:1-12<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How does Jesus describe the Pharisees?<\/p>\n\n\n\n What type of spiritual fruit do the Pharisees produce (for example: self-effort, impressing others, etc.)?<\/p>\n\n\n\n How would you describe the motivation of the Pharisees in their relationship with God?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus was concerned about the lifestyle and example of the Pharisees and their negative influence on others because the Kingdom of God was about life, light, health, and growth. But of the Pharisees He said, \u201cThese people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules\u201d Matthew 15:8-9 (NIV)<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Pharisees acted as if they were close to God, but their hearts were distant and disconnected from Him. Therefore, the fruit they were producing was rotten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pray:<\/strong> Talk with God about times when those spiritual practices that were created to connect you to Him have been disconnected from a relationship with Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read <\/strong>Matthew 3:1-12<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Repentance means turning away from sin and self-righteousness to God and His mercy. John the Baptist emphasizes repentance because it places you in a posture of humility that can closely connect to God. From that place of connection, healthy spiritual fruit will grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Read <\/strong>John 15:1-17<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus reveals that the fruit someone produces reflects its source.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Producing fruit requires action, but it is not the action of frenzied spiritual activity. Rather, spiritual fruit comes naturally when we see, cherish, and embrace Christ\u2019s unconditional love for us. As we abide in Christ and He in us, we experience the life and love of Christ flowing into our lives, resulting naturally in fruitfulness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How does a posture of repentance allow for a close connection to God or vice versa?<\/p>\n\n\n\n What do you notice about God\u2019s responsibility in you producing healthy fruit from John 15:2-3<\/strong><\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow to Bear Healthy Spiritual Fruit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n