🍇🌿 BIBLE STUDY FELLOWSHIP (DAILY)“A deeper bible study”Thursday • October 1, 2026🍇 THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

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WHAT IS GROWING IN YOUR LIFE?

Growing in Grace • Rooted in Christ • Bearing Fruit for His Glory

📖 OCTOBER THEME SCRIPTURE

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”Galatians 5:22–23 (KJV)

☕ GOOD MORNING & HAPPY OCTOBER, BIBLE STUDY FAMILY!

God is so, so good! 💜

I have been excited about this morning because today we begin a brand-new Bible study together.

All through September, we studied the Whole Armor of God.

We learned to stand in truth.

Guard our hearts.

Walk in the Gospel of Peace.

Lift our Shield of Faith.

Protect our minds with the Helmet of Salvation.

Pick up the Sword of the Spirit.

And remain faithful in prayer.

But as I was sitting here preparing our Bible studies and thinking about October, God laid something on my heart:

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.

And I began thinking…

We have spent a month learning how to stand.

Now let’s spend a month examining how we grow.

Because it is possible to talk about standing for Jesus while forgetting that following Jesus should also be changing us.

So I want us to begin October with a very personal question:

WHAT IS GROWING IN MY LIFE?

When people spend time around me, do they experience more love?

More joy?

More peace?

More patience?

More gentleness?

More goodness?

More faithfulness?

More meekness?

More self-control?

Or are other things growing?

Bitterness?

Anger?

Pride?

Jealousy?

Impatience?

Unforgiveness?

Friend, this month isn’t about examining everybody else’s fruit.

It’s about asking God:

“LORD, WHAT ARE YOU GROWING IN ME?”

📖 TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING

Take some quiet time today and read:

🍇 Galatians 5:16–26 — Walking in the Spirit and the Fruit of the Spirit🌿 John 15:1–8 — Jesus, the True Vine🌳 Psalm 1:1–3 — A tree planted by rivers of water🌱 Colossians 2:6–7 — Rooted and built up in Christ✂️ John 15:9–17 — Abiding in Christ’s love❤️ Ephesians 3:14–21 — Rooted and grounded in love🌾 Matthew 7:16–20 — Known by fruit

🍇 1. NOTICE THAT PAUL SAYS “FRUIT”

Galatians 5:22 begins:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is…”

Notice that Paul says fruit, not “fruits.”

Then he gives us this beautiful picture:

❤️ Love😊 Joy🕊️ Peace⏳ Longsuffering🤲 Gentleness🌻 Goodness🙏 Faith🌿 Meekness🧭 Temperance

These are not simply nine personality traits that some people naturally have and others don’t.

They describe the fruit produced as the Holy Spirit works in the believer’s life.

Some people may naturally be quieter or more patient than others.

Some may be outgoing.

Some may be reserved.

But spiritual fruit goes deeper than personality.

God wants to transform our character.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS NOT ABOUT BECOMING SOMEBODY ELSE.

IT IS ABOUT BECOMING MORE LIKE CHRIST.

🌿 2. FRUIT HAS A SOURCE

If you walk through an orchard and see apples hanging from a tree, you know those apples didn’t appear by themselves.

They are connected to something.

Branches.

A trunk.

Roots.

Soil.

Water.

Sunlight.

There is a source behind the fruit.

Jesus gives us an even deeper picture in John 15:5:

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”

Friend, don’t miss this.

Jesus did not tell the branch:

“Try harder to make fruit.”

The branch bears fruit because it remains connected to the vine.

And there is a spiritual lesson here.

We can try very hard to act more patient.

We can tell ourselves to be nicer.

We can promise to control our temper.

We can decide we’re going to be more loving.

And discipline certainly matters.

But lasting spiritual transformation comes through abiding in Christ and yielding to the Holy Spirit.

BEFORE WE WORRY ABOUT THE FRUIT, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE ROOT.

🌳 3. WHAT ARE YOUR ROOTS GROWING INTO?

Colossians 2:6–7 says:

“As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith…”

Roots usually aren’t the part of a plant everyone admires.

Nobody walks through an orchard saying:

“Look at those beautiful roots!”

We notice the fruit.

But without healthy roots, there eventually won’t be healthy fruit.

The same is true spiritually.

Our private life with God matters.

Prayer matters.

Bible study matters.

Worship matters.

Obedience matters.

Repentance matters.

What we allow into our hearts matters.

What we think about when nobody else is around matters.

Friend, we can decorate the outside.

We can say the right things.

We can post Scripture.

We can attend church.

But God is concerned with what is happening beneath the surface too.

HEALTHY SPIRITUAL FRUIT BEGINS WITH DEEP SPIRITUAL ROOTS.

🍂 4. FRUIT TAKES TIME TO GROW

I love this part because sometimes we become discouraged with ourselves.

We think:

“I should be further along by now.”

“I should have more patience.”

“I should be stronger.”

“I shouldn’t still struggle with this.”

But think about an orchard.

You don’t plant a seed today and expect a basket of fruit tomorrow.

Growth takes time.

There are seasons.

There is watering.

There is sunshine.

There are storms.

There is pruning.

There are periods when you can’t see much happening at all.

Yet beneath the surface, growth may still be occurring.

Friend, don’t use this as an excuse to remain unchanged.

But don’t become so discouraged by slow growth that you give up either.

Philippians 1:6 says:

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:”

GOD IS STILL WORKING.

Keep surrendering.

Keep learning.

Keep repenting.

Keep obeying.

Keep growing.

✂️ 5. SOMETIMES GROWTH REQUIRES PRUNING

Jesus says in John 15:2:

“…every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.”

Pruning involves removing what hinders healthy growth.

And spiritually, there may be things God shows us that need to go.

Maybe it’s bitterness.

Maybe it’s gossip.

Maybe it’s an unhealthy habit.

Maybe it’s pride.

Maybe it’s comparison.

Maybe it’s an attitude.

Maybe it’s something consuming time and attention that belongs elsewhere.

Sometimes we pray:

“Lord, help me grow.”

And then God points toward something we’ve been unwilling to surrender.

Growth and surrender often walk together.

Ask Him:

“Lord, is there anything in my life hindering the fruit You want to produce?”

And when He shows you—

Be willing to listen.

❤️ 6. FRUIT IS OFTEN REVEALED AROUND OTHER PEOPLE

It is easy to think we’re patient when nobody is testing our patience!

It is easy to think we’re gentle when everyone agrees with us.

It is easy to think we have self-control when nothing is tempting us.

It is easy to talk about love when we’re surrounded by people who are easy to love.

But everyday relationships reveal what is happening in our hearts.

How do we respond when someone irritates us?

How do we speak when we’re angry?

How do we treat someone who cannot do anything for us?

How do we respond when someone disagrees with us?

What happens when we don’t get our way?

Those moments can become opportunities for spiritual growth.

Before responding, we can pray:

“Holy Spirit, help me respond in a way that honors God.”

SOMETIMES OUR GREATEST OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW LOOK LIKE INTERRUPTIONS, DIFFICULT PEOPLE, AND INCONVENIENT MOMENTS.

🪞 7. DON’T SPEND OCTOBER INSPECTING EVERYBODY ELSE’S FRUIT

This may be one of the most important things we establish on day one.

It can be easy to read a Bible study about patience and immediately think:

“Oh, I know somebody who needs this!”

Then we study gentleness:

“I wish they would read this one!”

Then self-control:

“I’m sending this to somebody!”

😂 Friend, maybe we need to read it first!

Jesus warned about focusing on another person’s faults while ignoring our own.

This month, before asking:

“Who else needs this?”

Let’s ask:

“LORD, WHAT ARE YOU TEACHING ME?”

This is not about comparing fruit.

It’s about allowing God to search our own hearts.

🌱 8. DON’T CONFUSE GIFTS WITH FRUIT

Someone can be talented and still need spiritual growth.

A person may sing beautifully.

Preach powerfully.

Teach wonderfully.

Lead effectively.

Write beautifully.

Serve faithfully.

Those abilities may be valuable.

But talent is not the same thing as character.

The Fruit of the Spirit is seen in how we live.

How we love.

How we respond.

How we treat others.

How we handle disappointment.

How we behave when nobody is applauding.

Friend, I would rather have a life that quietly reflects Jesus than an impressive gift accompanied by an unsubmitted heart.

GOD IS INTERESTED IN OUR CHARACTER, NOT JUST OUR CAPABILITIES.

🌾 9. FRUIT ISN’T PRODUCED FOR THE TREE ITSELF

Think about natural fruit.

An apple tree doesn’t eat its own apples.

Its fruit blesses others.

There is another beautiful lesson here.

When God develops love in us—

Others experience that love.

When He develops patience—

Our families experience it.

When He develops gentleness—

The hurting experience it.

When He develops goodness—

People around us benefit.

When He develops faithfulness—

Others learn they can depend upon us.

When He develops temperance—

Our choices affect everyone connected to our lives.

Spiritual growth is personal, but it isn’t meant to remain private.

GOD GROWS FRUIT IN US THAT CAN BLESS PEOPLE AROUND US.

💜 10. WHAT IS GROWING IN YOUR LIFE?

So here is the question I want us to carry throughout October:

WHAT IS GROWING IN ME?

Not:

“What’s wrong with everybody else?”

Not:

“Why doesn’t my spouse change?”

Not:

“Why doesn’t that person at church act differently?”

Not:

“Why can’t my coworker learn patience?”

But:

“LORD, WHAT ABOUT ME?”

Am I more loving than I was?

Is my joy rooted more deeply in Christ?

Am I learning peace?

Am I becoming more patient?

Are my words gentler?

Do I choose goodness?

Am I faithful?

Am I growing in humility?

Am I developing self-control?

Friend, we are going to spend this entire month asking those questions.

And I believe God can use His Word to show us areas where we are growing—and areas where we need to surrender more fully to Him.

💜 TODAY’S REFLECTION QUESTIONS

What does the Fruit of the Spirit mean to me?
Which part of the fruit do I see God developing in my life?
Which area do I struggle with most?
Am I truly abiding in Christ or merely trying harder on my own?
What am I feeding my spiritual roots?
Is there something God may be asking me to surrender?
How do I respond when someone tests my patience?
Am I more interested in examining someone else’s life than my own?
Does my character match the faith I profess?
What would I like God to grow in me during October?

🙏 OUR OCTOBER PRAYER

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for bringing us into a brand-new month.

God, You are so, so good.

Thank You for everything You taught us during September about putting on the Whole Armor of God.

And now, Father, as we begin studying the Fruit of the Spirit, prepare our hearts.

We don’t want to simply learn nine words.

We want You to change us.

Help us become more loving.

Give us joy that circumstances cannot steal.

Teach us Your peace.

Develop patience within us.

Make our words and actions gentle.

Help us choose goodness.

Make us faithful.

Teach us meekness.

And develop self-control in our lives.

Lord, search our hearts.

Show us what needs pruning.

Reveal attitudes that need changing.

Expose bitterness, pride, jealousy, unforgiveness, selfishness, or anything else keeping us from growing.

Help us stop examining everybody else and allow Your Word to examine us.

Keep us rooted deeply in Jesus.

Help us abide in Him.

And let the fruit produced in our lives bless our families, churches, workplaces, communities, and everyone we meet.

May our lives point people toward Jesus.

In His precious name,

Amen.

🍇 TODAY’S GROWTH CHALLENGE

CREATE YOUR OCTOBER FRUIT JOURNAL

On the first page, write:

“LORD, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO GROW IN ME?”

Then write the nine parts of the Fruit of the Spirit:

❤️ LOVE😊 JOY🕊️ PEACE⏳ LONGSUFFERING🤲 GENTLENESS🌻 GOODNESS🙏 FAITH🌿 MEEKNESS🧭 TEMPERANCE

Beside each one, prayerfully write:

Growing: An area where you can see God helping you grow.

Needs Watering: An area where you need more growth.

Needs Pruning: Something that may be interfering with that fruit.

Keep this page.

At the end of October, we’re going to return to it and reflect on what God has taught us.

📖 OCTOBER SCRIPTURE TO REMEMBER

Let’s begin memorizing these verses together:

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.”Galatians 5:22–23 (KJV)

🌳 TODAY’S ROOT CHECK

Before we finish, ask yourself:

📖 WORD: Have I spent time in Scripture?

🙏 PRAYER: Have I talked with God honestly?

🌿 ABIDING: Am I depending upon Jesus or only upon myself?

✂️ PRUNING: Is God showing me something that needs to change?

🍇 FRUIT: Are others experiencing more of Christ’s character through my life?

❤️ SURRENDER: Am I willing to let the Holy Spirit work in every area?

🌟 TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT

Friend, maybe you looked at those nine qualities and immediately saw where you fall short.

Please don’t begin this study discouraged.

Begin it surrendered.

There is a difference.

This study isn’t about pretending we already have everything together.

If we were finished growing, we wouldn’t need this study!

We’re here because we want to know God more deeply.

We want His Word to challenge us.

We want our lives to change.

We want to grow.

So don’t compare your chapter with somebody else’s.

Don’t expect overnight perfection.

Just keep your heart open to God.

One prayer.

One Scripture.

One surrendered attitude.

One obedient decision.

One day at a time.

STAY ROOTED.

STAY TEACHABLE.

STAY CLOSE TO JESUS.

AND LET GOD GROW THE FRUIT.

🍇 TOMORROW — FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2

🌿 ABIDE IN THE VINE

Apart From Jesus, We Can Do Nothing

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”John 15:5 (KJV)

Tomorrow we’re going deeper into what Jesus meant when He told us to abide in Him.

What does abiding look like in everyday life?

How do we remain spiritually connected to Christ in a busy world?

And what happens when we try to produce spiritual fruit through our own strength?

We’ll talk about all of it tomorrow!

🌻 CLOSING THOUGHT

As we begin October, remember this:

A tree doesn’t spend its day staring at its branches screaming:

“GROW FRUIT!”

It remains rooted.

It receives nourishment.

It grows.

And in season, fruit appears.

Friend—

🌳 GET ROOTED IN THE WORD.

💧 SPEND TIME WITH GOD.

✂️ LET HIM PRUNE WHAT NEEDS TO GO.

🌿 ABIDE IN JESUS.

🍇 AND LET THE HOLY SPIRIT PRODUCE THE FRUIT.

I am so excited to take this journey with you throughout October!

Let’s dig deeper.

Let’s encourage one another.

Let’s pray for one another.

And most of all—

LET’S GROW TOGETHER! 💜

Have a beautifully blessed first day of October, Bible Study Family!

GOD IS SO, SO GOOD! 🙌💜🍇📖✝️

Bible Study Fellowship (Daily)“A deeper bible study”

October 2026 — The Fruit of the SpiritGrowing in Grace • Rooted in Christ • Bearing Fruit for His Glory

WHAT IS GROWING IN YOUR LIFE?

Growing in Grace • Rooted in Christ • Bearing Fruit for His Glory

☕ GOOD MORNING & HAPPY OCTOBER, BIBLE STUDY FAMILY!

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT.

WHAT IS GROWING IN MY LIFE?

“LORD, WHAT ARE YOU GROWING IN ME?”

📖 TODAY’S SCRIPTURE READING

🍇 1. NOTICE THAT PAUL SAYS “FRUIT”

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT IS NOT ABOUT BECOMING SOMEBODY ELSE.

IT IS ABOUT BECOMING MORE LIKE CHRIST.

🌿 2. FRUIT HAS A SOURCE

BEFORE WE WORRY ABOUT THE FRUIT, WE NEED TO LOOK AT THE ROOT.

🌳 3. WHAT ARE YOUR ROOTS GROWING INTO?

HEALTHY SPIRITUAL FRUIT BEGINS WITH DEEP SPIRITUAL ROOTS.

🍂 4. FRUIT TAKES TIME TO GROW

GOD IS STILL WORKING.

✂️ 5. SOMETIMES GROWTH REQUIRES PRUNING

❤️ 6. FRUIT IS OFTEN REVEALED AROUND OTHER PEOPLE

SOMETIMES OUR GREATEST OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW LOOK LIKE INTERRUPTIONS, DIFFICULT PEOPLE, AND INCONVENIENT MOMENTS.

🪞 7. DON’T SPEND OCTOBER INSPECTING EVERYBODY ELSE’S FRUIT

“LORD, WHAT ARE YOU TEACHING ME?”

🌱 8. DON’T CONFUSE GIFTS WITH FRUIT

GOD IS INTERESTED IN OUR CHARACTER, NOT JUST OUR CAPABILITIES.

🌾 9. FRUIT ISN’T PRODUCED FOR THE TREE ITSELF

GOD GROWS FRUIT IN US THAT CAN BLESS PEOPLE AROUND US.

💜 10. WHAT IS GROWING IN YOUR LIFE?

WHAT IS GROWING IN ME?

“LORD, WHAT ABOUT ME?”

💜 TODAY’S REFLECTION QUESTIONS

🙏 OUR OCTOBER PRAYER

🍇 TODAY’S GROWTH CHALLENGE

CREATE YOUR OCTOBER FRUIT JOURNAL

“LORD, WHAT DO YOU WANT TO GROW IN ME?”

📖 OCTOBER SCRIPTURE TO REMEMBER

🌳 TODAY’S ROOT CHECK

🌟 TODAY’S ENCOURAGEMENT

STAY ROOTED.

STAY TEACHABLE.

STAY CLOSE TO JESUS.

AND LET GOD GROW THE FRUIT.

🍇 TOMORROW — FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2

🌿 ABIDE IN THE VINE

Apart From Jesus, We Can Do Nothing

🌻 CLOSING THOUGHT

🌳 GET ROOTED IN THE WORD.

💧 SPEND TIME WITH GOD.

✂️ LET HIM PRUNE WHAT NEEDS TO GO.

🌿 ABIDE IN JESUS.

🍇 AND LET THE HOLY SPIRIT PRODUCE THE FRUIT.

LET’S GROW TOGETHER! 💜

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