CAN KIDS BECOME FRUIT TREES?

 PARABLE OF THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

SUNDAY SCHOOL

Mary the Sunday school teacher shows a plate of food, walking around to all the tables.  She smiles, "Is there anyone here who likes to eat fruit?"

Bobby waves his hands, saying, "I love limes!  Lime soda, Lime Jello and Lime flavored corn chips are the best!" 

Mary "Class, do you know when we have God's spirit living inside of us, we're like a fruit tree bearing different types of fruit?  Our first fruit is LOVE.  Does anyone know what the greatest commandment is?

Margo raises her hand, saying "Love your neighbor?"

Mary reads, " Jesus answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind.’ This is the first and most important command.  And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’  (Matthew 22:37-39 ICB International Childrens Bible)

Mary walks over to John and he grabs the apple.  She says, "John likes Johnathan Apples and he's full of joy!  JOY is our second fruit.  I want everyone in the class to say this: "The Joy of the Lord is my strength."

Anna points at the Pomegranate, saying, "What's that?"  Mary hands her the fruit.

Mary says, "Anna this is a Pomegranate from the middle east.  PEACE is our third fruit.  

"Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper."  (Psalm 122:6 TLB - The Living Bible)

Jimmy adds, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God." (Matthew 5:9 NIV - New International Version)

Alberto grabs the Pineapple.

Mary speaks, "Alberto, what do you think the Pineapple represents?  PATIENCE is our fourth fruit of the Spirit."

He replies, "I guess I should have been more patient and allowed you to give me the Pineapple first."

Kim smiles pointing to the Kiwifruit, and grabs two.  Billy puts on a sad face desiring one too.

Mary asks, "Kim, the Kiwi represents KINDNESS our fifth fruit.  ' Instead, be kind to one another, cherish tender feelings for each other, forgive one another, just as God forgave you in the Messiah."  (Ephesians 4:32  NTFE - New Testament For Everyone)

Kim gives a Kiwi to Billy. 

Mary holds  a Grapefruit in her hand, saying, "Who can quess our sixth Fruit of the Spirit?"

Sally remarks, "Breakfast?"

Mary continues, "GOODNESS.  Without God are we good persons?"

Sally remarks, "I always have been good person."

Mary adds, "Jesus replied, “ And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone."  (Luke 18:19 ESV - English Standard Version)

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be given to you."  (Matthew 6:33  MEV - Modern English Version)  Jesus is the only way to be righteous before God.  And by His Spirit we show others the fruit of His Goodness."

Mary holds the plate before Faith and she takes the Fig, saying, "Faith do you know what the fig stands for?"

Faith replies, "Figgy Pudding?"

Mary continues, "Faith, our seventh fruit is FAITHFULNESS. 'The person who is faithful with very little is also faithful with much. And the person who is unrighteous with very little is also unrighteous with much."  (Luke 16:10 EHV - Evangelicah Heritage Version)

Diego squeezes a bunch of grapes, making a few drop onto the floor.

Mary speaks, "Diego our eight fruit of the spirit is GENTLENESS.  'A gentle answer turns away wrath, But a harsh word stirs up anger." (Provers 15:1 NASB - New American Standard Bible)

Sally pops a Strawberry in her mouth and reaches to grab another.

Mary smiles, "Sally our next fruit of the Spirit is SELF CONTROL.  Do you know what that means?"

Sally replies, "You can't just eat one!"

Mary continues, "Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable."  

(1 Corinthians 9:25  ESV - English Standard Version)

Sally grabs another Strawberry, making the class giggle.

Mary concludes, "Class I want everyone to say this verse outloud.  'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law."  (Galatians 5:2-23 NASB 95 - New American Standard Bible)