RCCG SUNDAY SCHOOL STUDENT'S MANUAL

LESSON SEVENTEEN

SUNDAY, 24TH DECEMBER 2017

TOPIC: THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT: GOODNESS AND FAITH

MEMORY VERSE: ‘’For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth." - Ephesians 5:9

BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 15:13-14

INTRODUCTION:
Goodness and faith are part of the vital characteristics of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Goodness in man is not a mere passive quality, but the deliberate preference of right to wrong, the firm and persistent resistance of all moral evil, and the choosing and following of all moral good. Faith is in general the persuasion of the mind that a certain statement is true (Philippians 1:27; 2Thessalonians 2:13). Its primary idea is trust. These are the resulting character of someone who is allowing the Holy Spirit to develop his or her life.

LESSON OUTLINES
1. Goodness
2. Faith (Faithfulness)

GOODNESS
The Greek word translated "goodness", agathosune, is defined as "uprightness of heart and life". Agathosune is goodness for the benefit of others, not goodness simply for the sake of being virtuous. Goodness is virtue and holiness in action. It results in a life characterised by deeds motivated by righteousness and a desire to be a blessing. It is a moral characteristic of. Spirit-filled person. Expressions of goodness are as varied as the Spirit is creative. These may include confronting someone about a sin in love and firmness, giving to the poor (James 1:27), providing for one's children, visiting the sick, etc. Goodness is not a quality we can manufacture on our own. Rather, it is a gift (James 1:17). As believers, we must allow the Holy Spirit to produce in us the fruit of goodness that others will see and glorify our Father in Heaven (Matthew 5:16).

FAITH (FAITHFULNESS)
Faith is 'believing without even seeing'. Hebrews 11:1 says.. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen". Faithfulness is steadfastness, constancy or allegiance. It is carefulness in keeping what we are entrusted with. It is also the conviction that the Scriptures accurately reflect reality. Biblical faithfulness requires belief in what the Bible says about God - His existence, His works, and His character. Hebrews 11 gives a long list of men and women in the Old Testament who trusted God and were full of faith. These include: Abel (Hebrews 11:4); Enoch (Hebrews 11:5); Noah (Hebrews 11:7); Abraham and Sarah (Hebrews 11:8-11), etc. Believers must learn to trust God even when it seems He is silent (2Corinthians 5:7). Faithfulness must also be seen in our service unto God (Revelations 2:13) and relationship with fellow men (1Peter 5:12).

CONCLUSION:
We do not become a Christian on our own, and we cannot grow on our own (Philippians 2:13). Every good thing we do by faith is the fruit of the Spirit's work in our lives.

QUESTIONS
1. Describe goodness as a characteristic of the fruit of the Spirit.
2. Mention four heroes of faith.