Do you feel like your Sunday school class or Christian classroom could benefit from some fun, creative activities that help reinforce the Fruit of the Spirit? You’re not alone! As the Bible says, the Holy Spirit produces “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). It is important to teach kids about the Fruit of the Spirit in a meaningful way.
These ideas are here to help! From a fun song to inspiring activities, you’ll find plenty of new and creative ways to make teaching the Fruit of the Spirit come alive.
Ready to get started? Let’s dive in!
Here are 3 tips for teaching about the Fruit of the Spirit:
1. Always Start by Reading the Scripture
I use the ESV Version of the Bible in my classroom and the NIV version at home with my kids. The best way to start a lesson about the Fruit of the Spirit is to dig into God’s Word. There is a one word difference between the two versions:
I use the ESV Version with my 4th graders and my daughters because they have a better understanding of the word “patience.”
2. Memorize the Fruit of the Spirit
Deuteronomy 11:18 tells us, “ Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.”
Memorizing Scripture is an important part of discipling our children. It is essential for maturity and growth. I just love how “Got Questions” explains the importance of memorizing God’s Word in this article.
There are many ways to memorize Scripture. I often print out Scripture Cards like these and place them on my refrigerator. It’s the most used appliance in my house? so I know that I will see it often! Then, we practice, practice, practice.
As a mom and teacher, I found that one of the BEST ways to memorize scripture is through music. I find that my students and my daughters have a MUCH easier time memorizing than I do, so I have to practice quite a bit more often! This song helped me with this verse!
3. Complete a Thought-Provoking Activity
When we return to school in January, I will be using this activity with my students. It includes the Scripture reference for the Fruit of the Spirit, but it also teaches my students the meaning of each word. This is important! Although a student might have a broad concept of the word “love,” they may not understand that love is self-sacrificing. Love means putting someone else before yourself.
Then, they will reflect on the past year and choose ONE Fruit of the Spirit that they would like to focus on this year. This activity works at the beginning of the calendar year, but it also works at the beginning of the school year.
THIS IS IMPORTANT: Make sure that students understand that the Fruit of the Spirit is not something that they can grow in by their strength. It requires fresh surrender and prayer, and we start the habit of prayer as I am teaching this activity.
Once students choose one Fruit of the Spirit that they want to focus on, they complete a page like the examples below. They love it! You can either display them on a bulletin board, or you can send the papers home with students to keep on display as a reminder. The year at the top is updated yearly, so it will always stay current.
If you want a fun way to display the Fruit of the Spirit at church or in your classroom, here is a Fruit of the Spirit Bulletin Board Idea:
I hope your kids will enjoy this activity as much as mine!
Happy Teaching!
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