Theme:
Obedience
Title:
Bearing Fruit
Desired Outcomes:
The desired outcome of this message is to give a new perspective on baring the fruit of the spirit. This is not a salvation message but is about what happens after salvation using a story normally associated with salvation.
Core Scriptures:
- Genesis 3:6-7; 3:21
- Matt 21:19
- Isaiah 61:10
- Gal 5:16-17
- Gal 5:22-23; 24-25
Welcome:
Any fun and welcoming Icebreaker that gets the members moving, on their feet, where all the members can participate in. If there are new members be careful not to create a space where they feel exposed or uncomfortable.
Word:
- Adam and Eve (signifying our fleshly nature) who ate the fruit of the tree (worldly fruit) and left them naked, afraid, and covering themselves with fig leaves. Later God killed an animal and covered them with the skin of an animal.
- Jesus saw a fig tree bearing leaves and no fruit (like Adam and Eve) and rebuked it. He was in Jerusalem where He would soon after be crucified and cover us who believe with salvation (skin of the animal).
- The members need to realize that they can only bear fruit if they pick up their crosses daily by denying themselves (Jesus rebuking the unfruitful fig tree) and walking in the Spirit now that they received salvation.
Questions:
- What are the things/feelings we associate with being naked? Hints: (Shame/Vulnerability/Intimacy/Exposed/Authenticity/etc..)
- Where did man discover he was naked?
- Why did Adam and Eve feel the need to cover themselves?
- What are the things we use to cover our own nakedness? Pride, arrogance, gossip, etc.
- Was Adam and Eve’s covering sufficient?
- What does it mean to walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit?
- Why is it possible for us to walk according to the Spirit?
- How does it look for one to walk according to the Spirit?
- Who can name a few of the fruit?
- Why would you want to bare fruit etc…
Final note
The shame of the flesh and the sin of Adam is now covered with the blood of Jesus. After Jesus died and established the new covenant, God pours out the Holy Spirit. We are walking in the final promise and we now have the option to walk in the Spirit and to bear fruit.
This is a beautiful thing and the message should end with excitement.