Fruit of the Spirit Monthly Scripture Focus: Love
As part of our monthly character lessons, we are going through the fruits of the spirit one by one. This month’s character lesson focus is love.
Follow along with us as you invite and encourage your teens to allow God’s spirit to develop their character. The content of this monthly study is geared for middle and high school students, but feel free to adapt if you wish for younger students. Included are a variety of suggestions to use throughout the month to maintain a focus on developing a love for God and love for others.
At the end of this article, you’ll find the complete list of monthly character lessons based on fruits of the spirit, and will be able to click directly through to any additional lessons you wish to access.
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Fruit of the Spirit Passage
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 5:22-23
Love in the Bible
Question: How many times does the word love appear in the Bible?
Answer: 745 times in the ESV**
**Statistics from logos.com. Each translation will have a slightly different count.
Big Picture: How the Bible Talks about Love
1 // Love is sacrificial
This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. 1 John 3:16
2 // Love is more action than feeling
Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18
3 // Love results in obedience to God
In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. 1 John 5:3
What Does the Bible Say about Love?
Look at the following scriptures and ask these two questions.
Question #1: What do I learn about God’s love from this scripture?
Question #2: Is there any instruction for me in this scripture about how I should love?
Scriptures about Love
For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
Jesus said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. ‘ This is the greatest and first commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37-39
If you love me, you will keep my commandments. John 14:15
But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. Psalms 86:15
God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved. Ephesians 2:4-5
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Romans 12:9-10
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Examples of Love in Scripture
Look up one or more of the following passages to read a story displaying love in some way. Ask yourself these two questions.
- How do I see love in action here?
- What does God want to teach me about love from this passage?
Passage #1
John 13:1-17 (Jesus washing disciples’ feet)
This passage displays the humility exhibited by Jesus in showing love. His love in this story set an example for the disciples of what sacrificial love looks like in action.
Passage #2
Luke 19:1-10 (Zaccheus)
Jesus’ encounter with Zaccheus shows how much God cares about those who we might consider “unloveable.”
Passage #3
John 21:15-17 (Jesus asking Peter if he loves Him)
Peter repeatedly responds in the affirmative, “Yes, Lord, I love you!” Jesus then has one command for Peter: “Feed my sheep.” Show your love for me by loving others.
Examples in Scripture of a Heart Lacking in Love
Now, look up one or more of the following passages and think about these questions.
- Describe the lack of love in this story.
- The passage may not mention any consequences for the person who is not loving, but we know that sin always brings consequences. What do you think might be some consequences or negative impacts for someone who acts in this unloving manner?
Luke 10:26-37 (Good Samaritan story)
Two people passed by the injured man and did nothing to help. Negative impacts in a situation like this could be a gnawing guilt. Additionally, we may experience public shame if it becomes known that we did not respond in a loving manner.
Judges 16:4-20 (Samson and Delilah)
Delilah clearly does not treat her husband in a loving manner, rather she is mocking and manipulative. A person acting in such a manner may later feel remorse. Continued behavior like this could cause us to become hardened and unmoved by the pain of others.
Jonah 3-4 (Jonah)
In the second half of the book of Jonah, the prophet is clearly angry with God for His lovingkindness toward the people of Ninevah. Jonah’s lack of love leads him to stomp off in a huff, irritated and annoyed with God. Unless we ask God to adjust our attitude, this type of behavior and mindset can become ingrained. We run the risk of being routinely disgruntled about the blessings we see poured out on others, rather than continually praising God for His great love for us.
Reflection Questions
Now that you’ve read several Bible verses about love, seen examples of love in action and examples of being unloving, reflect on the following two questions.
- Would others describe me as a loving person?
- How can I express this fruit of the spirit—love—in a practical way in my life this month?
Video Content Related to Love
Fruit of the Spirit: Love (YouTube – 412teens.org)
Love/Avahah (Bible Project)
Love/Agape (Bible Project)
Music Related to the Love of God
Add some of these to your regular music playlist this month. Listen while you study, clean your room, or take a walk.
The Love of God (YouTube – Reawaken Hymns)
O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus (YouTube – Reawaken Hymns)
Love Moved First (YouTube – Casting Crowns)
For the Love of God (YouTube – Andrew Ripp)
Wide, High, Long, Deep (YouTube – Ellie Holcomb)
Psalm 36 (YouTube – Psalms Project)
Prayer Related to Love
Your relationship with God is deepened by not only listening to His word, but communicating back to Him through prayer.
Following are prayers you can personalize and pray from your heart. Your words don’t have to be fancy. Simply thank God for His love and ask Him to give you His love for others.
Heavenly Father, remind me of the unwavering, steadfast nature of your love for me. Let that knowledge inform my willingness to trust you with everything that happens today. Make it clear to me what you would have me do, in complete surrender to your will.
(based on Psalm 143:8)
Lord, thank you for loving me. Help me today to show mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience to those I interact with. Give me a forgiving heart toward those who offend me, remembering how much I have been forgiven. I ask for my life to overflow with love today for those around me.
(based on Colossians 3:12-14)
Lord Jesus, make me aware today of the ways I love the things that belong to the world more than I love you. Give me a spirit of repentance about any love that is misplaced, and renew in me a passionate love for you above all else. Help me recognize those things that get in the way of giving you my very best, and give me a heart and mind willing to sacrifice my comfort and ease for your sake.
(based on 1 John 2:15)
Key Bible Verses about Love
Choose one verse to memorize this month, either from the selections listed, or find another scripture that speaks to the attribute of love. Make sure it is a verse you have not already memorized!
Psalm 86:15
Psalm 143:8
Matthew 22:37-39
John 3:16
John 14:15
Romans 12:9-10
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
Ephesians 2:4-5
1 John 3:16
1 John 3:18
1 John 5:3
Additional Reading on the Topic of God’s Love
No Greater Love by A.W. Tozer
Crazy Love by Francis Chan (you can also access a 10-part study guide on RightNow Media)
A Love Worth Giving by Max Lucado
Galatians 5:22-23
Read through the passage several times this month to help you commit it to memory. Just reading the verse repeatedly as you go through studying a different fruit of the spirit each month will help you to “hide God’s word in your heart.”
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 5:22-23
Monthly Fruit of the Spirit Word Study
Moving through the fruit of the spirit in order they are listed in the passage, this is the progression throughout the school year. However, you could certainly choose to rearrange the topics if you chose to do so.
For example, you could explore the character trait of being loving in February to tie in with Valentine’s Day or study joy in December to correspond to Christmas activities. Each word stands alone and the resources do not build on one another, so you have freedom to “drag and drop” into whichever time period you wish.
Monthly Fruit of the Spirit Study for Students
This isn’t a typical Bible study in the sense of having daily or weekly lessons. Instead, it’s intended to be used as a supplemental study that’s low-key and flexible.
The monthly focus on one specific fruit of the spirit gives plenty of opportunity for discussion, scripture study, and reflection.
Even if your kids are doing a regular Bible study (which I hope they are), you can add in a few scriptures, a video, have them listen to a piece of music or read a poem each month and consider whether they are exhibiting that fruit of the spirit.
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Fruit of the Spirit Study: Love (for Middle and High School Students)
