The Fruit of the Spirit Study Week 6
Front Porch Bible Study Series / The Fruit of the Spirit
Future videos will appear at the beginning of each month when a new fruit of the Spirit is introduced. The month of February is about the study of LOVE and how we show God’s love to one another. Our pot of seeds we planted last week is now full of little green sprouts! May God’s love take root in your heart and bloom more everyday.
Week 6: LOVE
Click to read: John 13: 3-17 NKJV
“‘If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet’” (John 13:14 NKJV).
Jesus taught His disciples many lessons during His three years of earthly ministry. Even on the night of His coming arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus demonstrated servanthood—not just telling, but showing them by example.
“Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His
When He came to Peter, Peter balked in his usual exaggerated way, refusing to allow Jesus to perform a lowly servant’s job. Jesus explained that although the disciples didn’t understand His actions now, they would later. He continued, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me” (13:8). Peter swung to the other extreme, pleading, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and head!” (13:9). Jesus reassured Peter that a person who has bathed only needs to wash his feet to be totally clean.
Let’s discuss the important lesson Jesus taught His disciples and the part humility played. According to Jesus, who is greater—the master or the servant?
Immediately following the Last Supper, there arose a quarrel among the disciples over who was the greatest among them. Jesus addressed their dispute by using His role as a model for them to imitate.
“And He said to them, ‘The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them, and those who exercise authority over them are called ‘benefactors.’ But not so among you; on the contrary, he who is greatest among you, let him be as the younger, and he who governs as he who serves. For who is greater, he who sits at the table, or he who serves? Is it not he who sits at the table? Yet I am among you as the One who serves'” (Luke 22:25-27 NKJV).
In today’s world, many religious “on-stage” leaders are puffed up and prideful What Scriptures might Jesus quote to them?
“When pride comes, then comes shame; But with the humble is wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2 NKJV) OR “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18 NKJV).
Roles of leadership are roles of humble servanthood in disguiseAs we step forward to serve others, may our passion spring from a pure and humble heart. It’s the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit we are promoting, and it’s Jesus to whom we point–not ever to ourselves. May the Lord Jesus always receive the glory and honor, for He alone is worthy of our worship and praise.
How do you show God’s love through service?
Lord, may we learn to be humble and serve one another. We strive for the promise of John 13:17: “‘If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.’” In Jesus’s Name we pray, Amen.
Let’s pray one for another. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much ~ James 5:16.
Yes indeed, we much follow the lead of our Leader. His greatness must be ours in the way we serve, on our knees ministering to all humbly.
Amen, Margaret. Well said. Have a blessed day, dear friend. xoxo ❤️
I have special memories of a church retreat years ago. This particular gathering was for the leaders of the church. We read Scripture and then, we washed the feet of each other. There was a peace in the room as we each knelt on the floor to take care of each person. I will always remember how special that retreat was and how much I learned about Jesus washing the feet of others.
What an awesome experience, Mimi. I’ve never experienced a foot-washing service, but years ago my great-aunt told me about one she had attended. She was very moved. Like you, she had felt God’s peace and love as they ministered to one another. Thanks for sharing with us, dear friend. xoxo
Love this: “It’s the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit we are promoting, and it’s Jesus to whom we point–not ever to ourselves.” I heard this Scripture this weekend, from II Corinthians 4:5 “For we do not preach ourselves but Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake.” We are not preaching ourselves or promoting ourselves, but we are pointing to Jesus and want to make sure that He receives all the glory & honor.
How do we show God’s love through service? We show them His perfect love by being patient; kindhearted; not boasting in ourselves; not being jealous of either what someone else has, or how easy it is for them, or how blessed they are, or of the praise they receive; not taking offense easily or letting others provoke us easily, but instead forgiving quickly and even choosing to believe the best about them. So, we show God’s love by serving others, and loving them like God loves them. We serve them and put them and their needs first. We serve them by letting them shine, and by giving God the glory.
Your words are so beautiful, Becky. Yes, 2 Corinthians 4:5 sums it up exactly. In this ME and SELFIE generation, we must guard against self-promotion and pass the glory on to Jesus. I love your definition of how we show love to one another–especially “forgiving quickly and even choosing to believe the best about them.” I know I’ve needed that kind of forgiveness over past misunderstandings, and I want to also extend that to others. It’s hard to know exactly why someone acts the way they do since only God can see the heart. All the more reason to choose to forget, or as you put it, to believe the best instead. I’m so thankful the Lord forgives my shortcomings and throws them into the sea of forgetfulness. May we lovingly serve others by doing the same.
Thank you for your inspirational words, dear friend. You’ve expressed much wisdom, and I can sense a deep well of love inside your spirit. Much love xoxo
Karen, thank you for for this week’s lesson as you focus our hearts on servanthood. This is so appropriate as we continue studying the first of the fruits of the spirit outlined in Galatians 5:22-23 ~ love. There is no greater privilege than that of serving the Lord in loving humility as He allows me to reach out to others in accordance with His will and purpose for my life. As I thank Him for the opportunity to serve Him, I join you in your prayer: “Lord, may we learn to be humble and serve one another. We strive for the promise of John 13:17: “‘If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.’” In Jesus’s Name we pray, Amen.” j
I’m so thankful for your servant’s heart, dear Joyce. You are a true sister in the faith, full of love, mercy, and grace. Your faithful service to Heart”wings” ministry is a beautiful act of self-sacrifice and blessings to each life you touch. Works don’t save us, but we are rewarded in heaven by the Father on that wonderful day when we all are united and stand in His presence. Won’t it be awesome and humbling to see how many lives were touched for His kingdom? And that day is fast approaching according to the prophecy time clock. May we continue to keep our hand on the plow and look straight ahead, not distracted from our calling, until our last breath on earth. Love you, Joyce xoxo