Fruit of the Spirit Monthly Scripture Focus: Faithfulness
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 faithfulness.
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 focus on faithfulness as described in the Bible.
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
Faithfulness in the Bible
Question: How many times does the word faithful or faithfulness appear in the Bible?
Answer: 900 times in the ESV**
**statistics from logos.com. Each translation will have a slightly different count.
Big Picture: How the Bible Talks about Faithfulness
1 // God’s faithfulness is protective toward us
As for you, O Lord, you will not restrain your mercy from me; your steadfast love and your faithfulness will ever preserve me! Psalm 40:11 (ESV)
2 // God’s faithfulness means we can trust his promises
The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT)
3 // We are faithful when we believe God is who he says he is and obey his commands
I have chosen to be faithful; I have determined to live by your regulations. Psalm 119:30 (NLT)
What Does the Bible Say about Faithfulness?
Look at the following scriptures and ask these two questions.
Question #1: What do I learn about God and how He views faithfulness from this scripture?
Question #2: Is there any instruction for me in this scripture about how I should exhibit faithfulness?
Scriptures about Faithfulness
In Exodus 34, God describes himself to Moses with these words: “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.”
If you open the last book of the Bible, you read a description of Jesus in Revelation 19:11 as being called “faithful and true.”
And in between those two verses, the Bible abounds with references to the faithful nature of God, often in combination with his steadfast love.
Read the scriptures below that reference faithfulness or being faithful and consider the questions asked above.
Bible Verses that Reference Faithfulness
For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. Psalm 26:3 (ESV)
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy. Psalm 111:7 (ESV)
Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness! Psalm 115:1 (ESV)
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works. Psalm 145:13 (ESV)
I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Jeremiah 31:3 (ESV)
One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. Luke 16:10 (ESV)
No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (ESV)
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23 (ESV)
Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good. 1 Peter 4:19 (ESV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9 (ESV)
Examples of Faithfulness in Scripture
Look up one or more of the following passages to read a story displaying faithfulness in some way. Faithfulness seems to be exemplified by action that results from trusting in God’s character. Ask yourself these two questions.
- How do I see faithfulness in action here?
- What does God want to teach me about faithfulness from this passage?
Passage #1
Genesis 6-8 (Noah)
These chapters describe Noah as walking with God in contrast to the wickedness on display in the earth. When God tasks Noah with building an ark of epic proportions, Genesis 6:22 says, “Noah did everything just as God commanded him.”
Passage #2
Esther 4 and 7 (Esther)
Esther is a fairly short book of the Bible, and it is a fast-moving adventure story of intrigue and drama. If you have about 20 minutes, read the whole book.
The background is that the Persians are ruling over Judah, the homeland of the Jews. A young Jewish woman, Esther, is taken to the king’s court and selected to become queen of Persia.
The king’s second-in-command, Haman hatches a plot to destroy the Jews and Esther’s cousin Mordecai begs Esther to plead with the king on behalf of her people.
In Chapter 4, Esther responds to Mordecai that her life would be in danger were she to approach the king uninvited. Then we read the well-known persuasive words of Mordecai: “Do not think that because you are in the king’s house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”
Esther does indeed act faithfully and seek an audience with the king despite the real peril this entails. Chapter 7 describes the scene in which Esther informs the king of the plot hatched by none other than Haman.
Although God’s name is not mentioned directly in the book of Esther, his faithfulness to his people is evident throughout the story.
Passage #3
Daniel 6 (Daniel)
This is the well-known story of Daniel being faithful to God’s law even when his faithfulness would almost certainly result in suffering for him. Pay attention to the words of verse 10, “when Daniel learned that the law had been signed…” (NLT). Daniel was fully aware that he was being targeted by his enemies, but his faithfulness did not waver.
Daniel’s faithfulness resulted in the king’s heart being turned to God in reverence when Daniel is preserved from harm even from wild lions. Read the story and be inspired by Daniel’s faithfulness to the one true God.
Examples in Scripture of a Heart Lacking in Faithfulness
Now, look up one or more of the following passages and think about these questions.
- Describe the lack of faithfulness in this story.
- What can we learn from the lack of faithfulness we read about in these passages?
Genesis 19:12-26 (Lot and his family)
The background to this story is one of evil and rebellion in the city of Sodom, where Abraham’s nephew, Lot, lived. Two angels came to the city to warn Lot and his family of God’s intent to destroy the wicked city. As you read the first section, verses 12-22, note Lot’s response and the response of his family.
First, Lot’s sons-in-law ignore the urgent pleading to leave. Then, when the angels insist that Lot leave the city, instead of obeying the angel’s instructions, Lot argues with them about where they should go.
Finally, in verses 23-26, we read the fate of Lot’s wife, who “looked back” in clear disobedience to the specific instruction not to do so.
Unfaithfulness and disobedience go hand in hand. Small steps of obedience grow our faithfulness to trust and obey God in big ways.
Exodus 32 (Aaron)
After the people of Israel are led out of Egypt by Moses, they are camped at Mt. Sinai and Moses is called by God to go up on the mountain. This is when God gives the nation of Israel his commands for them.
Chapter 32 tells the story of Aaron, who is in charge of the people while Moses is off meeting with God. Aaron makes a golden statue for the people to worship and bring sacrifices to.
This sad tale reminds us of how susceptible we are to acting in an unfaithful manner. Aaron had just been witness to, and even participated in, miraculous wonders done by God in delivering the people out of their slavery to the Egyptians. Not only did he see firsthand the miracles in Egypt, but God continued providing miraculous delivery with the parting of the Red Sea, water to slake their thirst, and bread to ease their hunger.
Even after all that, Aaron’s heart is unfaithful to God’s commands that have just been given. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image…” (Genesis 20:4).
Jeremiah 17:9 tells us, “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick.” And Proverbs 4:23 says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
John 18:1-11 (Judas)
One of the saddest examples of unfaithfulness is the story of Judas and his betrayal of Jesus. Judas walked and worked with Jesus during his ministry, and yet, his heart was turned toward selfish gain. (Look up Psalm 119:36 for a great verse to memorize related to this.)
Judas not only conceived of this deception, but carried it out to Jesus’ face. As you read this passage, keep at the front of your mind the knowledge that this treachery set in motion the events that led directly to Jesus’ death. Jesus knew what this disloyalty was leading up to, and he willingly went ahead with giving up his life to redeem and restore an undeserving human race.
Reflection Questions
Now that you’ve read several Bible verses about faithfulness, seen examples of faithfulness in action and examples of people not exhibiting faithfulness, reflect on the following two questions.
- Would others describe me as a person known for my faithfulness?
- How can I express this fruit of the spirit—faithfulness—in a practical way in my life this month?
Audio/Video Content Related to Faithfulness
Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness (YouTube – 412teens.org)
Fruit of the Spirit // Faithfulness (YouTube – North Coast Church)
The Reason You Can Trust God (YouTube – BibleProject)
Music Related to Faithfulness
Add some of these to your regular music playlist this month. Listen while you study, clean your room, or take a walk.
Psalm 33 (YouTube – The Psalms Project)
Faithful (YouTube – Chris Tomlin)
Great Is Thy Faithfulness (YouTube – Reawaken Hymns)
Never Once (YouTube – Matt Redman)
Prayer Related to Faithfulness
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 faithfulness and ask him to empower you through the Holy Spirit to be a faithful follower and obedient to his good and gracious word.
Faithful Prayer Based on Exodus 34:6
Gracious and loving Heavenly Father, thank you for your faithful mercy, your faithful patience, and your faithful and steadfast love to me. I confess my need of your mercy, love, and graciousness daily and ask that you would remind me of your faithfulness to me before I respond to others with irritation, impatience, and animosity. Keep me faithful to you in response to your abundant love.
(based on Exodus 34:6)
Faithful Prayer Based on Psalm 26:3
Lord God, keep my eyes fixed on your steadfast love. Use your word, your people, and the circumstances you bring into my life to keep my heart focused on the sacrificial love displayed by Jesus’ death in my place. May my thoughts, words, and actions today and this week be faithful to your commands as I seek to maintain a pure heart not distracted by anything unworthy, but focused on awestruck worship to you in response to your great love.
(based on Psalm 26:3)
Faithful Prayer Based on Psalm 40:10
Father God, make me bold in declaring your faithfulness to me. I ask that you remove the fear that keeps me from sharing your great salvation with those around me, and open my mouth to speak even through the fear. I know others need to hear of your steadfast love, your saving grace, and your faithfulness to deliver them from eternal separation from you. Give me opportunity to proclaim your faithfulness and use your spirit to give me the words to speak that bring you glory.
(based on Psalm 40:10)
Key Bible Verses about Faithfulness
Choose one verse to memorize this month, either from the selections listed, or find another scripture that speaks to the attribute of faithfulness. Make sure it is a verse you have not already memorized!
Exodus 34:6
Deuteronomy 32:4
Psalm 25:10
Psalm 26:3
Psalm 40:10
Psalm 117:2
Psalm 145:13
Lamentations 3:22-23
1 Corinthians 10:13
1 Thessalonians 5:24
Hebrews 10:23
Hebrews 12:2
1 Peter 1:6-7
1 John 1:9
Revelation 14:12
Additional Reading on the Topic of Faithfulness
Everyday Faithfulness by Glenna Marshall
With You (Teen Devotional) by Lifeway
Faithfulness: 34 Faith Principles from Hebrews 11 by Jon Kile
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: Faithfulness (for Middle and High School Students)
