Use this free object lesson children’s message to teach kids about the Fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 15. Download the teaching notes below, gather your object lesson materials, and watch our video demonstration as you prepare to share. This sermon for kids is perfect for Sunday School, Kids Church, or any Children’s Ministry Bible lesson.
Lesson Objective: We reap what we sow, and as Christians we hope to live fruitful lives. But what does that mean? How can we bear spiritual fruit? This message discusses with children the importance of relying on God for all good things. Examine things that cannot grow to describe how only living plants can produce fruit. In the same way, we must be connected to Christ to produce anything worthwhile. If we try to accomplish things only on our own power, we are bound to fail, but with Christ all things are possible.
Children’s Sermon Lesson on Galatians 15:13-25, the Fruit of the Spirit.
Law/Gospel Theme: It’s important to remember that we do not grow our own spiritual fruit. We cannot simply become more kind, gentle, or convince ourselves to be better Christians. The fruit of the Spirit is God working in us, through the Holy Spirit. When we are connected to Him, we will bear His fruit! On our own, only negative and self-centered things develop. Rely on God for gifts that serve others!
Object Lesson Materials: Candies/non-growing food items, fruits, plants, seeds.
Bible Passage: Galatians 5:13-25
More Bible Teaching on the Fruit of the Spirit for Kids:
- Watch our teaching demonstration of this children’s sermon lesson and bible craft activities
- Compare our 9-Lesson Fruit of the Spirit Curriculum from the Sunday School Store
- Compare another free Bible Lesson for Kids on Galatians 15:22-23
- Download the free Fruit of the Spirit Coloring pages and Children’s Ministry resources on Galatians 5:22-23
- Read more Fruit of the Spirit Bible verses
Message Note: As with most messages, the details of how you choose to communicate this are adaptable and should cater to timing as well as to your audience and student needs.
Fruit of the Spirit Children’s Sermon (Galatians 5:13-25)
Greet children, and provide some examples of plants and seeds… Hello, children of God! Have you ever planted something? What does it take for things to grow? You need good soil, and sunshine, and water, and time…but with that, anything will grow and produce fruit, right? I was just getting ready to do some planting myself, actually. I’ve got some great seeds here, see: (Hold up items as you describe. For an extra touch, use Cheerios as “donut seeds”.) I think I’ll plant some chocolate bars, and I’ll plant a jelly bean tree, and a licorice bush, and ooh! Yes…I have some donut seeds, too! Now, what do you think…if I plant these items in the ground, will they grow into those kinds of plants? Why don’t you think so? Well, these items are not living things with actual fruit seeds, that’s true… things like candy and junk food are made by human hands. If I put them in the ground, nothing will really happen.
So what do I need to make something grow? I need a living plant! I have to start with seeds that will put down roots and grow into something that can have fruit. You know, this reminds me of our lives as Christians, in a way. The Bible talks about how God wants us to grow and “bear fruit” in Him. But the fruit that God’s Spirit produces is not apples or oranges or bananas. This fruit has to do with who we are, parts of our character. The Bible talks about having the Fruit of the Spirit. When we rely and focus only on our own selfish desires, we don’t grow much. Nothing really comes of that, just like nothing much will happen if you plant chocolate chips in the ground. But when we live with God in mind first and foremost, He can produce fruit in us.
The book of Galatians describes several things that make up that Spiritual fruit. It says that God grows in us love, which is the most important thing we can have! We also have joy, which is kind of like happiness but even deeper and greater. There’s also peace, which helps us feel content and quiet within ourselves. Patience is another element of this fruit. It can be hard to be patient sometimes, but it’s good to be able to wait for things! Kindness is another part of this spiritual fruit, reminding us that we need to be nice to others. Goodness is another, as well as faithfulness, which talks about staying true to others and having faith. Gentleness describes how we act with care, not being angry or cruel. And self-control, last but certainly not least in the line-up, tells us that we need to think about what we are saying and doing in life. God wants us to control our tempers and actions, and He will help us do that!
It’s key to remember that these things don’t just come from our own power or desire. We can’t force ourselves to act kind or gentle or any of these things. This “fruit” comes when we are “planted” in the Lord. When we grow closer to Him in prayer, and read our Bibles, and come to church, we can learn more about God and how we love and serve Him. When our lives are rooted in Him first and foremost, God can work to allow us to bear that Fruit of the Spirit. Then we can serve other people and remain closely connected to the Holy Spirit. God loves us and wants the best for us. When we walk in His Spirit, amazing things can happen!
Why don’t we say a prayer and ask God to help us rely on Him to bear fruit?
Children’s Prayer Moment:
(Have kids repeat each line)
Dear God,
Thank you for the gifts of your Spirit
Please help us to trust in You
And not our own understanding
Help us to bear your fruit!
Thank you for your love
We love you, God!
In Jesus name, Amen!
Bible Verses/story to Reference:
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. 16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy,[d] drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do[e] such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.