INTRODUCTION

In his letter to the Galatians, Paul shows that since the time of Christ’s death no rites or ceremonies of the Jewish Law or any of man’s own works can avail in the justification of a sinner. Jesus Christ is our only means of salvation (Acts 4:10-12). The fruit of the Spirit becomes evident in our lives when we are saved, and grows as we continue to live and walk in the Spirit.

THEME THOUGHTS

It has been the aim of Satan since the beginning of time to bring all humanity into his ranks. Ever since the downfall of man in the Garden of Eden, the fight of right against wrong has been raging in this world. But God has made ample provision for the salvation of man’s immortal soul.

It is this provision that will be taken up in this study of “God’s Cure for Sin.” In Genesis 3:15 we see the first beam of light for lost humanity pointing toward Christ, the Redeemer of man. A key lesson in this quarter deals with God offering His own Son as a substitute for mankind.

Woven into this quarter are lessons covering the events leading up to Easter. We will explore the message and hope of the Resurrection as the foundation of the Gospel, and will learn how one can be enabled to walk in newness of life. We will also study some of the results of salvation and the benefits it brings into one’s life.

May God bless you as you explore His plan for the redemption of man.

SUPPLEMENTAL SCRIPTURES

Psalm 1:1-6; 1 Corinthians 13; 2 Peter 1:4-8

QUESTION

1.Why do you think the nine virtues listed in our lesson are referred to as “the fruit” and not “the fruits”?

2.Explain why the flesh must be crucified if we are to be fruit-bearing Christians.

3.What do the nine virtues of the Spirit have in common?

4.List the fruit of the Spirit. Then name some benefits that Christians enjoy from having each of these virtues in their lives.

5.Why can a Christian still feel peace when things go wrong?

6.Describe an incident in which the fruit of the Spirit really proved to be a benefit to the one who exhibited a specific virtue.

7.How can the fruit of a tree be used to determine the worth of the tree that is bearing it? See Matthew 7:16-18.

8.Self-image is an important concept in our society. Distinguish between self-improvement and the fruit of the Spirit.

9.How can you be sure you have the fruit of the Spirit in your life?