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Fruit of the Spirit Study Guide

Week 1: “World War Me” (Galatians 5:16–17)

The battle between the flesh and the Spirit

  1. Read Galatians 5:16–17.
    Where do you personally feel the tension between your sinful nature and the Spirit most strongly right now?

  2. Read Romans 7:18–25.
    How does Paul’s struggle reflect your own internal battles? What encourages you about his honesty?

  3. The flesh and Spirit produce different outcomes.
    Looking at Galatians 5:19–23, which side seems more evident in your daily life right now?

  4. What does it practically look like to “walk by the Spirit” (v.16)?
    What habits or patterns help—or hinder—you from doing that?

  5. Personal reflection:
    If someone observed your life this past week, would they conclude you are being led more by the flesh or the Spirit? Why?

Week 2: Love (Galatians 5:22)

  1. Read 1 Corinthians 13:4–7.
    Which description of love challenges you the most personally?

  2. Read John 13:34–35.
    Jesus says love is the defining mark of His followers. What does your love toward others currently communicate about your faith?

  3. How is biblical love different from cultural or emotional love?
    Where have you confused the two?

  4. Who is hardest for you to love right now? Why?
    What might it look like to love them in action this week?

  5. Personal reflection:
    Is your life marked by self-giving love or self-protection? Where is God calling you to grow?

Week 3: Joy (Galatians 5:22)

  1. Read Philippians 4:4–7.
    How is biblical joy different from happiness based on circumstances?

  2. What tends to steal your joy most quickly?
    What does that reveal about what you are relying on?

  3. Read John 15:9–11.
    According to Jesus, where does lasting joy come from?

  4. How does focusing on God’s goodness (Psalm 16:11) shift your perspective?

  5. Personal reflection:
    Would you describe your life as marked by joy? If not, what might be out of alignment spiritually?

Week 4: Peace (Galatians 5:22)

  1. Read John 14:27.
    How is Jesus’ peace different from what the world offers?

  2. Where in your life do you currently lack peace?
    What are you trying to control instead of trusting God with?

  3. Read Isaiah 26:3.
    What role does your thought life play in your level of peace?

  4. How does unresolved anxiety or conflict reveal dependence on the flesh?

  5. Personal reflection:
    Are you living with inner rest or constant unrest? What would surrender look like this week?

Week 5: Patience (Galatians 5:22)

  1. Read James 1:2–4.
    How does God use difficult situations to produce patience?

  2. Who or what tests your patience the most right now? Why?

  3. Read Psalm 37:7.
    What does it mean to “be still before the Lord” in a culture of urgency?

  4. How does impatience reveal deeper issues like control, pride, or entitlement?

  5. Personal reflection:
    Where is God asking you to slow down, wait, or trust His timing?

Week 6: Kindness (Galatians 5:22)

  1. Read Ephesians 4:31–32.
    How does kindness contrast with bitterness and harshness?

  2. Think about your words this past week.
    Did they build others up or tear them down?

  3. Read Luke 6:35.
    What does it look like to show kindness to those who don’t deserve it?

  4. Where have you become indifferent instead of compassionate?

  5. Personal reflection:
    Would others describe you as consistently kind? What needs to change?

Week 7: Goodness (Galatians 5:22)

  1. Read Micah 6:8.
    What does God define as “good,” and how does that compare to your definition?

  2. Read Romans 12:9–21.
    What stands out as a practical expression of goodness?

  3. How does goodness go beyond avoiding sin to actively doing what is right?

  4. Where are you tempted to compromise or justify behavior that isn’t truly good?

  5. Personal reflection:
    Is your life producing visible evidence of God’s goodness, or moral compromise?

Week 8: Faithfulness (Galatians 5:22)

  1. Read Lamentations 3:22–23.
    How does God’s faithfulness shape your understanding of faithfulness?

  2. Where in your life are you tempted to be inconsistent or unreliable?

  3. Read Luke 16:10.
    What does faithfulness in small things look like for you right now?

  4. How does a lack of faithfulness reveal misplaced priorities or devotion?

  5. Personal reflection:
    Would people trust you to follow through? Is your life marked by consistency with God?

Week 9: Gentleness (Galatians 5:22)

  1. Read Matthew 11:28–30.
    How does Jesus model gentleness?

  2. How do you typically respond when you’re frustrated or challenged?

  3. Read Proverbs 15:1.
    What impact do your tone and approach have on others?

  4. How is gentleness actually strength under control, not weakness?

  5. Personal reflection:
    Are your interactions marked by humility and grace, or force and reaction?

Week 10: Self-Control (Galatians 5:22–23)

  1. Read 1 Corinthians 9:24–27.
    What does disciplined living look like in your spiritual life?

  2. Where do you most lack self-control (thoughts, habits, speech, desires)?

  3. Read Titus 2:11–12.
    How does God’s grace empower self-control—not just willpower?

  4. How does giving in to the flesh in small areas affect your overall walk with God?

  5. Final reflection:
    Looking back over this series, is your life producing more fruit of the Spirit or works of the flesh?
    What is one specific step you will take to pursue Spirit-led living?