But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. (Galatians 5:22-23)
One summer when my daughters were four and six, we decided to be “fruitful.” Each week we chose a tangible fruit and a corresponding verse for the nine fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We learned the verse, discussed the meaning, and attempted to live it out. The girls determined which fruit represented love, joy, peace, and more, and by the end of the summer, the kitchen cupboards were filled with banana, kiwi, peach, and more, labeled with a corresponding Bible verse. If you want to go deeper in your personal quiet time, you can study Beth Moore’s “Living Beyond Yourself” and then share what you learn with your children. For example, Beth gives the sign language for Galatians 5:22-23, which is a great way to help a kinesthetic student learn this passage.
Another summer, we walked with Jesus by studying the book of Mark during our Quiet time on the quilt. We traced our feet on colored construction paper and after each day’s reading we wrote what we learned on a footprint and tacked it up. Pretty soon we had the footsteps and teachings of Christ walking about our kitchen cupboards.
One season, my daughters enjoyed making paper dolls dressed with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and love. They determined which attributes represented shoes, hats, dress, and gloves. We spent seven days dressing dolls from characteristics found in Colossians 3:12-14.
If you have boys as well as girls, try dressing a soldier in the full armor of God: truth, the breastplate of righteousness, helmet of salvation, shield of faith, sword of the spirit, and gospel of peace (Galatians 6:11-17). These items of apparel will make a great set of new school clothes!
Why not ask God what characteristics He wants you and your children to grow in this summer? Perhaps this summer will end in a harvest of fruit. Can you imagine your family’s summer verse inscribed on scrapbook pages and more importantly—IN their hearts?
Lord, show me what to teach my children. Help me find the Scriptures for them to study and memorize and then apply. May this summer be a summer of bearing fruit for You.
About Ann Stewart
Ann just won the Christy Award for Best Debut Novel of 2017 with Stars in the Grass, originated AMG’s Preparing My Heart series, and writes “Ann’s Lovin’ Ewe” for The Country Register. When she's not writing, she's waving her arms directing musicals, teaching middle schoolers, or watching UVA Basketball, This is Us, or Madam Secretary. In her free time she hangs out with her husband, raising two lovely daughters and a whole flock of fuzzy sheep on Skye Moor Farm, in Virginia--where unscripted drama provides plenty of entertaining material.
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