Welcome to Living Beyond Yourself a Womens Bible Cafe™ study. We’re an international group of women participating in online bible study. We have been praying for you individually by name as you prepare to learn and grow through the next ten weeks of study. May you arrive at this study with a desire to live beyond yourself, in the fruit of the spirit.
(Image: Unsplash)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 NIV
When I first completed the Living Beyond Yourself, Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit Beth Moore study at church, I met with women of all ages and we sat down at a table filled with scrapbook images, string, glue, and name tags. You guessed right…we created Fruit of the Spirit name tags for our study. In keeping with the tradition, you’ll be seeing images of fruit throughout this online study, as a reminder of the lessons we read and the fellowship we have with one another. If you want to place a name tag on your blog, feel free to copy and link to the button we created just for this study. A smaller version appears at the end of this article.
If This Is Your First Online Study
You’ll want a little direction if this is your first online study. We’ll read a week at a time, and each Tuesday you can visit the blog anytime and participate in the group discussions. We’ll list some discussion questions and you can answer all of them or as many as you want. If you are not posting on the blog, we will send you an email and check in to see what’s getting in the way of your study. Please read these blog posts and feel free to ask questions. Don’t be shy…your questions benefit the entire group.
Assignment For Next Week
- Follow us on Twitter or like us on Facebook to get the latest updates
- Download the Answers to the Viewer Guide
- Listen to the Introduction Session Audio (optional)
- OR…Listen to the Introduction Session Video (optional)
- Read Week One in the workbook
- Listen to the Session One Audio (optional)
- OR…Listen to the Session One Video (optional)
My nametag would be an apple, tough on the outside and soft on the inside 😉 and it would say “Hi, my name is LifeVerse” because I use that name so often on Twitter.
Hi, I”m Lauren and I am getting a head start because I will be in clinical all day tomorrow with nursing students. My name tag would feature a blackberry because even though these are tasty and sweet, sometimes you have to go through sharp thorns to get to the berry… sometimes I have a “barbed” attitude and I am trying to get rid of that! Hopefully by the end of this study, I will be a “better” fruit that doesn’t have as many thorns… maybe something like a peach. I think it would just say, “Hi, I’m Lauren”. Looking forward to this study… I feel like I have come along way over the past few months. I had completed some studies independently, and this makes my third study here with you guys. I really enjoy reading everyone else’s comments. Look forward to every Tuesday =)
Hello,
My name tag would say hello, my name is Dedie and I would choose kiwi to place on my name tag. I would choose this fruit because it is has seeds to indicate the growth spurt I am currently experiencing in my own life, personally and spiritually, and although it is plain on the outside the inside is a bright cheerful color.
Hello
I would select grapes as my fruit due to its long history and ability to bear new fruit in the most trying of growing conditions.It is symbolic of how I need to continue my faith journey despite the obstacles and roadblocks. My tag line would be “Always Looking Up”. Have a Blessed and “Fruitful” Day!
Cheryl
“Hi 🙂 I’m Lorna” is what my name tag would say. My fruit would be grapes because
1: There are many, many, types of grapes – just like there are many, many types of people
2: They remind me of the Lord’s Supper when our Lord lifted the cup (they were drinking something out of it)
3: Grapes come in bunches – which represents friendship (in my book) and I need my friends
4: One of the few fruits that I can eat frozen, which means that even though I’m having a bad day and I’m “cold” to people, my life is still useful and may even bless someone (at least that’s what I hope for)
5: They can be easily shared with others
My name tag would say “Crazy Jo” that’s what my friends and family call me because I love to make people laugh. Sometimes I do that so people won’t know the real me. I would coose a Banana because they are the funniest..:)
Hi, I am Wendy – I would be an apple. An apple is sweet but hearty. It’s known as a necessity to staying healthy (an apple a day…..) An apple is universal and can be used in many ways. I want God to use me in many ways.
Hi! I’m Shannon. I would have to say that my name tag would be a nectarine. While they are typically a sweet fruit, they also have a bit of tart to them, especially when they are not ripe yet. God is still working on me, so there is that tartness. One day, when I am with Him, I will have reached the full, sweet ripeness of the fruit.
My name tag would read….Sassy because that is what some of my friends call me, and one in particular calls me Crazy, so you can choose. I would be a coconut for it is very tough, has a hard shell to break through, and is very sweet on the inside..
So, don’t laugh but I think I’d be a raisin. At first impression I seem threatening. My brow is often furrowed because when I think or listen I am very focused. I also squint a lot from sun or bad eyesight. But once you take a chance you will find me sort of sweet and very productive.
My name tag would say, “I am what I’m becoming”.
Hi, My name tag would say Oops because that’s my nickname. Yes i make alot of mistakes,(I like to think of them as learning opportunities). My fruit would also be the kiwi, I may not be much to look at but I am try to be sweat and good for you. Also I like the green color and am reminded of Kermit’s It isn’t easy being green.
Hello my name is Sharon and I’d have to say my fruit is the orange. You have to peel through a hard peel to get to the real me. I often hide in shyness in real life situations. Yet I am also tangy in spirit once you get to know me if that makes sense so that would be my tag name 🙂
Hi all! I think I would choose ‘sunshine’ for my name tag as I always try to bring light and encouragement into my conversations with others (it’s also a name that keeps coming up in my life). Took me a while but I would choose Mango – sweet (ha, ha) and bright (ha,ha,ha) and firmly anchored on a rock (yea Jesus!!!!!). Enjoy the day wherever you are!!! Blessings!
Hi,
I’m Tonya My name tag would say (A Woman Inspired) because I love to inspire others. I’m really looking forward to the study. As you may have noticed Christine, I commented in the wrong blog first thing.. So since I’m off to such a good start I’ll take the fruit bananas. 🙂 I placed it in the right one so you can delete it from this one.
Thanks
Hi, I’m Stephanie. I have no idea what my name tag would say, but I do know that I would forget to take it off, and would spend the rest of the day just a little bit confused at how everyone knew my name (maybe it should say daydreamer). I think if I were a fruit, I would be a blueberry. I always think of blueberries as cozy, and surprising. This is because at the house were my husband and I lived when I was pregnant with my first child, there were three of the ugliest shrubs I had ever seen planted outside my bedroom window. I could not figure out what would possess someone to plant such ugly bushes in that spot. Well, one day, I looked out, and there were HUNDREDS of the biggest, most beautiful blueberries I had ever seen. We spent the rest of the summer reaching out the window to pick our breakfast. What a treat, and what a loss it would have been if we had pulled out the ugly shrubs before they could bear their fruit. They ended up being my favorite plants on our lot. Sorry to be so long winded. Anyway, I would be a blueberry, because I am quiet at first, and not a very fancy person, but I think that when I open up, I am sweet, and have lots to offer, just like a blueberry bush.
Hi, I’m Judee. I think I would be a banana because you have to peel through the outside layers to get to the fruit inside. Call me anything you like, just not late to supper. lol. Looking forward to communicating with all of you during this study. I don’t twitter but I am on Face Book.
My name tag would simply read “Hi my name is Stacy” the fruit I would choose to put on the tag would be a peach. While they are soft and fuzzy on the outside they can sometimes be hard and sour on the inside. I think that most people would characterize me as a nice person most of the time. I am working on myself on the inside to make sure that I feel my feelings and dont push them away, I also have to remember to show others around me my feelings rather than being closed off. I hope everyone has a great week!!!
I think I would choose purple grapes b/c they are sweet & purple is my favorite color 🙂 Since they grow on vines I’m also reminded to abide in Christ, which is something I want very much for my life to show. Plus there are many ways to use grapes & I want God to be able to use me however He sees fit.
My tag would just say ‘Hello my name is Crystal’ and I believe I would put just a seed on my tag- cause thats just where I am right now!
That’s awesome! I love that!
I’m a see too….I am so excited to grow!
*seed
My name tag would say: Hi, my name is Cyndee – my fruit would be a pear – kind of interesting and different but sweet and gentle on the inside goes with many different things. Am very excited to see where God takes me on this new journey with you all!
To Katy-saw your prayer request…praying.
Lord, I thank you that you have a good & perfect plan for Katy & her family’s life (Jer. 29:11). I ask that you would bring healing into this man’s life, healing from his injury, from the trauma of war, & from alcoholism. You are the God of miracles & I ask for a miracle in his life. I ask that you would bring godly men into his life to encourage him & pray with him, to lead him close to you. I ask for Katy to be surrounded with people who love her & will encourage her as she gives birth & deals with these challenges. Wrap your arms of love around her, be her shelter & refuge (Ps. 91:1&2). I ask that You would give Katy wisdom (Jas. 1:5) & provision (Phil. 4:1:19). Show her Your joy as she gives birth to a beautiful & healthy baby. May Your good & perfect will be done. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen.
Katy-you are loved.
I’m joining you in this prayer for Katy and her baby.
I didn’t see the prayer request but I’m seeing this and saying a prayer now.
We post the prayers on the Prayer wall (top of this page, look for link) or click here.
I think I would be a pineapple and say handle with care.. I’m kind rough on the outside but once you cut thru the exterior I’m sweet with a bit of POW thrown in. I also like the pineapple because its great by itself or with your teriyaki or on your pizza. I compare this to the family of God us pineapples are added in to keep the flavor and the texture interesting.
My fruity name tag would have a grape on it. Ripe grapes symbolize the blood of Jesus. I would want all to look past my name and rather be reminded about the Good News of Jesus Christ. And if it had a caption, it would read “tested and approved by God”.
I love the “tested and approved by God” stamp of approval. Great visual!
Hi I m Fairlee and a pineapple because it s my favorite fruit.
My name tag would say ‘Hi, my name is Janet’. I think I would be a watermelon because I have a thick layer you have to break through but I am generally sweet on the inside. The seeds inside are all the things inside me that God is still working on.
If we were in a live church group right now, we’d arrange our chairs by fruits! Apples sit with apples, bananas with bananas…this is a fun way to meet and greet one another. All the comments have been exciting to read…what an inspiring group of women we have 😉
Keep those comments coming! what fruits are we missing..is eggplant a fruit? Tomato (fruit vs vegetable), lemon, avocado…lets fill the basket with all flavors and colors. God’s harvest.
Greetings,
My name tag would simple say – “Hi my name is Tammy”. I stopped by this morning but couldn’t think of a fruit to list. So I am back this evening and still have no ideas – lol! I guess I will choose a fruit that hasn’t been listed and something a little unique. I am choosing a unique fruit because each one of us is created by God for a unique (and personal)purpose. I will choose the unique star fruit.
My nametag would be sweet pea and my fruit would be banana they are my fave fruit.
My name tag would say “Hi, My name is Nancy”. Not very creative with that. The fruit I think I would have on my name tag would be a watermelon because there are layers to them.
My name tag would be a strawberry and it would read, Hello, my name is Jo.
Strawberries are not always sweet and need some work like I do sometime. They can be made sweet, it just takes a little time.
Good Evening! My name tag would read “Hi, my name is Kellie and I’m a Watermelon”. I absolutely love watermelon and I love the summer time which is the best time to eat the delicious fruit. I would like to think of myself as a sweet refreshing treat when things get heated. I try to add the sweet points in life even in the most difficult situations. Sometimes I can be a little ripe but most of the time I try to put on my happy face and live this wonderful life God has embraced me with! I look forward to a great online learning with everyone as this is my first Bible study.
My name tag would say, “Hi! My Name is Keia”. My fruit would be a coconut. I’m pretty quiet and shy & a hard person to get to know (and I tend to keep a wall up to “protect myself”), but if you’re able to break through the hard shell, most would find out that I have a soft & sweet interior. 🙂
This is turning into a wonderful fruit salad!! That’s my favorite way to get my 5 a day!!
my name tag would read ‘ TR, mom of 4’ and the fruit would be an apple. Sometimes the skins are a little tough but inside is soft and sweet. I’ve enjoyed reading through all the fruit labels!
Hi! My name is Elizabeth but you can call me “Fierce, but Funny.” The fruit I would put on my tag would be a prickly pear because I am tough to get through but once open can be soft and mushy too.
Carla from Florida here, is what my name tag would read! I would be a Kiwi because it’s unique.
I would pick a pomegranate for my fruit. I chose this fruit first of all because I love to eat them. Yum. Also, I see myself in them a having a protective shell covering layers including both bitter and sweet (more sweet than bitter).
If I made a name tag for myself it would say Rgreatlyloved….That is the name I always use on the computer & I know I am greatly loved. My fruit would be a strawberry because they remind me of my mom.
Hi All!
My nametag would probably say “Jen GoingByFaith” since I use that for twitter and blog. The fruit question has me stuck… but I keep thinking of cantaloupe because it goes well with other fruits and is usually sweet 🙂 Looking forward to getting to know you all.
My fruit would have to be an orange. Maybe a clementine orange because it is small. The skin of the orange is very firm and keeps the inside safe and secure. (others look at me thinking I am very firm, strong.) Sometimes the skin is hard to get off and other times it seems to just fall away and what is revealed is the truth of the fruit….lots of sweet juice (tears of sadness or it could be joy) running through the sections of meat(the challenges of life) are all held together with tiny threads (Gods love trickling through and holding me together).
My name tag would say, Kai(held together by God). I always have so much going on, that I don’t know how I keep it together. Family, work, school, kid activities, etc. I know I am not the pilot. If I had to choose one fruit, it would be a mango.
Good Morning, Ladies!
Forgive me for being a little late to this post! I will just jump right in…
My name tag would read, “SaVonni GGUF” for God Gave You Freedom and the fruit I’d place on it is the Mango. I’d be a mango for several reasons: First, with a mango, you can’t gauge it’s goodness until you take a closer look. Second, while they are slow to ripe, mangos when fully ripened are nothing but sweet & enjoyable. Finally, the seeds from the mango are fully replantable, so while they’re work, there’s no limit to their growing. There’s nothing like Fruit that keeps on giving!
So true fellow mango lover!
I love everything you wrote!
My name tag would be blueberries. I’ve never really cared for blueberries; I thought they were sort of bland. But recently I’ve been reading a lot about the awesome nutritional value of blueberries. I started eating a small handful on my cereal every morning. Now I can’t imagine my morning starting without a few blueberries. It is my prayer that others will feel the same way about Jesus.
You probably wouldn’t be able to see my name tag as I am an introvert. I might not even show up to the bible study but am trying to break out of my shell so here goes…
My name is Casey and I’m a cherry.
I love cherries and don’t know why?
Glad to have you Casey. It’s brave to take on something new. I’ll be praying as you break out!!
I’ve been praying for each of you in the study and I am praying for you by name. For the nurses, I am praying that your study will flow from your heart into your mouth as you minister and heal the sick. For the teachers, I pray that this study will nourish you and give you the alone time you desire with God, flowing into your studies as you teach others. For the bible study leaders, I pray that this study will encourage you to lead online studies within your own church and also that you will post comments and minister to the women in this group. For the women new to bible study, new to Beth Moore or new to online study I pray that you will ask questions, explore and learn and not quit your study. For everyone I am praying for God’s presence to rest upon you as you read, learn and grow closer to Him. I am praying for you by name.
Hi Christine,
This is my first online study. If I have a question do I post it to this forum or is there another forum I should post questions in? Thank you for your prayers, as mentioned in an earlier post, this online study is God’s answer to prayer!
Dedie
Post the questions here and we’ll reply to it. If you have a private question, use the contact us like at the top of the page and reply to me privately.
Thank you
Saw your blog post and I loved it!
http://www.prayergifts.blogspot.com
Hi Ladies! Sorry it has taken me so long to write!! Satan has already fighting me before we have started!!! The fruit that comes to mind is a grape! A bright red seeded grape hanging in a beautiful cluster, getting our strength from the VINE!!John 15!!
It’s Jennifer again! I forgot to tell what my name tag would say!” Saved by Grace!!
Now following your blog. I will also be posting my reflections of each week to my blog. I was hoping to do so yesterday but am fighting some sort of a bug so hopefully sometime today I will get it up.
http://www.itsmrsthegreat.blogspot.com
Excited about following you on your journey.
My name tag would say “itsmrsthegreat”. Its a inside joke that has just gotten out of hand but its nice because its my blog, aim and email id. My husband is itsdavidthegreat lol!
My fruit would be a pomegranate because it looks simple on the outside but when you open it up there is so much going on in the inside. This is like me I may look simple but there is a lot going on in the inside 🙂
My name-tag would read “bible study geek”
I would pick a starfruit when you see them hanging up they may appear to be boring fruit, but if you slice one then an amazing shape appears. “Also the It is sweet without being overwhelming and extremely juicy. The taste is difficult to compare, but it has been likened to a mix of papaya, orange and grapefruit all at once.” I have a lot going on and I love people I hope that when people meet me they notice I am complex, but funny and a sincere lover of Gods word and studying.
I chose starfruit too! I love it! So here’s to my fellow starfruit! Praying for you to have an awesome study!
I already listened to the audio, started Day 1 and then forgot yesterday! Yikes! My name is Renee. I am a fruit salad. In other words, I jump from one favorite to the next. I like a lot of things!!
Hello, I just watched the introduction video. What a kick!!! I am traveling to visit my children and 2 grandsons on Friday…from Oregon to Rhode Island. Will be taking my workbook with me. I need the full measure of the Holy Spirit’s fruit.
My name tag would just say my name “Heather” my fruit i pick is a rasberry. i like rasberries and just like me they are sweet and stand out.. looking forward to reading everyone comments about this study, thats one thing i get from this is everyone different views and i think that is just awsome!!!!!
Hello~
My name tag would be chica (chee-ka). I call my girlfriends that when I greet them and I love when they call me that back (translation- girl). I am a lover of Mexico and hope to some day learn Spanish! There is a fruit cart that I go to when I am there with fresh delicious fruit. I always get a cut up Mango which I have chosen as my fruit!
A Mango is generally sweet, although the taste and texture of the flesh varies. Which means I am a work in progress. I know that I need to work on the variables and I know being in God’s word daily is starting to change that!
My name is Lisa and if I had to pick a fruit I would pick the cherry. I love its season. It is crimson red like the blood and sweet to the taste. But inside every cherry is a pit and my life has been filled with those. Makes me grateful for the miry pit that He lifted me out of =]
Hi, I’m Sandra and I’d have a kiwi on my tag. It has a hard to compare and describe flavor and a unique look and adds an extra punch to the bowl of already tasty fruits.
Hi all! I’m Mary Ann and my nickname would be “Goofy” because that is what I am, quite often.
The fruit that I would choose would be a rainier cherry. The don’t look as inviting as a red, bing cherry—but, when you pop them in your mouth they are just sweet enough but not too sweet.
Jumping into the study and looking forward to it!
Hi everyone. My name is Lois but I think I’d have “Struggling to Find My Way” on my name tag. It’s been a very hard year in many ways and I’m trying very hard to keep my spirits up, not fall prey to depression and keep a strong faith going. I am so grateful I found this site online today. Little did I know that anything like it existed. I am looking forward to the bible study although I am joining a bit late. But better late than never. And thank you to God for leading me here. My family just told me that they think I am a strawberry. I think it’s because they are strong at the center but can leak in their containers quite a bit if they get going (overripe). That’s a metaphor of some sort…I think it means I tend to be leaky with my emotions but am resiliant and can roll with the punches at my core. Thanks for all being here, it means alot.
Hi Lois,
I was touched by your introduction. I know how hard it can be to struggle against the depression and keep that strong faith going. We sang a song at church today:
Hungry I come to You for I know You satisfy
I am empty but I know Your love does not run dry
So I wait for You, So I wait for You
Broken I run to You for Your arms are open wide
I am weary but I know Your touch restores my life
So I wait for You, So I wait for You…
I am falling on my knees,
offering all of me,
Jesus You’re all this heart is living for!
The part that spoke to me the most was the phrase…So I wait for You! Lamentations 3:24-26 says, “I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore, I will wait for Him.’ The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him. It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Sometimes that’s all we can do…get in His word; be in a position to receive, and speak to ourselves saying, “Self, the Lord is your portion; therefore we will wait for Him.” He always comes through ;)I am super excited to see how He will come through in this study!
Lisa
Lisa – thank you so much for such a kind and meaningful response. I read it this morning before work but have not had a chance to respond until now….but I did think about it all day. I look forward to the study as well and I appreciate what you said very much….Lois
“Hi, my name is Victoria”
And I would pick a star-fruit! In about 7th grade, our youth leader travelled a lot. She would come back from a foreign country and would always have great stories and would have us to try foods that we had never tried before. On this particular occasion, we tried plantaines(sp?), tofu and STARFRUIT! And it was so good! I didn’t care much for the others, but I found the starfruit to be refreshing and unique! And that has always stuck to me…so I choose starfruit!
I’m Elena. I got my book a bit late but I’m hoping to catch up at some point! I like Renee’s idea, fruit salad describes me too. 🙂
It’s okay to get a late start, I’m glad you’re joining the study. You’ll be able to catch up in no time….give yourself some time on the weekend to reaf, each lesson is about 30-45 minutes of work. Welcome!
Oh man I am behind in responding to this post! I have been keeping up with the hw though! My nametag would read “Hi!” or something really basic but welcoming. I really like to get to know new people. And instead of one fruit, mine would have a smoothie on it (heavy on the peaches.) I think the smoothie is perfect for me because I often feel I am a mix of so many different things. I think it also works so well with the idea that the fruit of the Sprit has so many different attributes! It’d be one symbol (the smoothie) comprised of many different qualities (the fruit in the smoothie) just as the fruit of the Spirit takes nine specific forms!
Jambo! My name is Pauline and I do go by Polly, either one is fine with me. I (being a bit off the wall and full of all sorts of good and rather interesting stuff) know that I wouldn’t have drawn just one type of fruit on the tag given to me. I would have been busily drawing apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, strawberries, etc. If colored pencils or pens were available they would have been brightly colored, shaded, and textured. If time, energies, and creativities prevailed I would have added watermelon and pineapple to the drawing as they add color and depth to a fruity mixture.
Did you know I like fruit so much that my Girl Scout Camp name is a fruity one? LoL — its HUCKLEBERRY!
I look forward to getting to know each of you a little better as we enter this study and I look forward to learning what Father God has for me to hear.
Refresh us Lord…Fill me up!
Hi all,
I am joining this very late – I have signed up for this study online thru Lifeway and just read your post today – realizing that you are also doing the study. After signing up for the online study, I found a local group studying “The Beloved Disciple” – since I have been hungry for a local group to study with, I joined that. So now I am trying to do 2 at once. Please let me know if it’s ok to join so late.
My name tag would say: “Excited to be here” and the picture of fruit would be strawberries and bananas because I love those 2 together!
with love, Barb