Living Out Love and Kindness with the Fruits of the Spirit
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law." – Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV)
It wouldn’t be right to skip over the fruits of the spirit in this month of love. I’d like to close out the month with the fruits of the spirit and how we, as leaders, can live out what that looks like.
As Sunday School teachers and Christian parents, we are called to nurture the faith of the children in our care and their character. Galatians 5:22-23 provides a beautiful blueprint for the kind of character God desires for us: one marked by the fruits of the Spirit. Among these, love and kindness stand out as foundational qualities that reflect the heart of Christ. By exemplifying these fruits in our lives, we teach children how to live in a way that honors God and blesses others.
Why the Fruits of the Spirit Matter
The fruits of the Spirit are not just a checklist of good behaviors—they are evidence of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives. When we exhibit love, kindness, and other fruits, we show the world what it looks like to live in step with God. For children, these qualities are especially important because they provide a framework for how to treat others and navigate life’s challenges.
Love and kindness, in particular, are powerful tools for building relationships and spreading the gospel. They demonstrate the heart of God in a way that words alone cannot. When children see these fruits in action, they begin to understand that being a Christian is about more than just going to church—it’s about becoming more like Jesus every day.
How to Exemplify Love and Kindness
Model Unconditional Love
Children need to see what love looks like in real life. Show them unconditional love by being patient, forgiving, and supportive, even when it’s hard. Explain that this is how God loves us, and we are called to love others the same way.
Practice Kindness in Everyday Moments
Kindness doesn’t have to be grand gestures. It can be as simple as a smile, a helping hand, or a word of encouragement. Look for opportunities to show kindness in your home, classroom, and community, and involve children in these acts. Use this Bingo card for a fun way to implement kindness everyday.
Teach Through Stories
Use Bible stories to illustrate love and kindness. For example, share the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) to show what it means to love your neighbor, or talk about Jesus washing His disciples’ feet (John 13:1-17) as an example of humble service.
Create a Culture of Encouragement
Encourage children to speak kindly to one another and to look for ways to build each other up. Model this by affirming their efforts and celebrating their successes.
Serve Together
Find ways to serve others as a family or class. Whether it’s helping a neighbor, volunteering at a shelter, or writing notes of encouragement, these activities teach children that love and kindness are meant to be shared.
Pray for the Fruits of the Spirit
Pray with children for God to help them grow in love, kindness, and the other fruits of the Spirit. Remind them that these qualities come from God, and He will help them develop these traits as they seek Him.
The Impact of Living Out the Fruits of the Spirit
When we live out the fruits of the Spirit, we create an environment where children can thrive. They learn that their faith is not just about what they believe but how they live. They see that love and kindness are not just lovely ideas. They are essential parts of following Jesus.
By modeling these fruits, we also help children understand the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. They learn they don’t have to rely on their strength to be loving or kind. God’s Spirit is at work in them, helping them grow into the people He created them to be.
A Call to Action
As Sunday School teachers and parents, we have the privilege and responsibility of cultivating the fruits of the Spirit in the next generation. Let’s commit to living out love and kindness in our own lives so that children can see what it looks like to walk with God. Let’s pray for the Holy Spirit to work in our hearts and the hearts of the children we influence.
Remember, the fruits of the Spirit are not just for us. They are for the world. When we live out love and kindness, we shine the light of Christ and point others to Him. Together, let’s raise a generation that bears the beautiful fruits of the Spirit, bringing glory to God and blessing to those around them.
