We’ve just finished reading our first week of Living Beyond Yourself Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit by Beth Moore. Beth launches us into the heart of God and the gift of the Spirit as we read through the first four chapters of Galatians. By now you’ve noticed Beth is using the NIV bible. I’m using the Life Application Study Bible. Many of you are using online bibles such as Bible Gateway, Bible Study Tools, or YouVersion to research the verses.

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Our reading this week started with a view of hardship. Sometimes, we are placed in trials of persecution because His glory shines through us during our trial. We looked at the four major reasons why Christ died for us, followed by a lesson on the major characteristics that make us easy targets for the enemy. When we are unfamiliar with Scripture and not carrying His Word inside our hearts, we’re easy prey.

Look back on your own life when you were lacking in Scripture knowledge and your attempts to battle Satan. Who won the battle then? Later, when you attended a Bible study and learned Scripture, some of you may have become bored and quit the study, easily diverted from a Christian life. Who won your battles during your boredom, you or Satan?

Do not miss the importance of this message from Beth: without knowledge of the word of God, your battle is lost. With Bible study and perseverance through boredom, your battle is won. Place your feet on the path of faith and learn Scripture day-by-day over the next ten weeks of study with me.

One of the most important lessons this week is found on day three, Beth Moore’s list of the “Ten Characteristics of the Crucified Life.” It’s important to understand how and why God gifted us with the Fruit of the Spirit.

The father of lies, Satan, wants us to believe we are not deserving of the Spitrit and that the Spirit would not dwell inside our hearts. Through a covenant with God, we know righteousness, grace thankfulness and joy. These gifts and the gift of the Spirit are not earned by performance or following the law, we receive them through Jesus. We are adopted members of God’s family and Abba’s gift to us is the fruit of the Spirit living inside our hearts.

Please pray for the women participating in this study, that each woman will have a heart’s desire to learn Scripture and defeat boredom. Ask for God’s presence during this study as we learn together.

The enemy will do everything he can to discourage you from allowing God into your heart. -Beth Moore

Assignment For Next Week

  • Read Week Two in the workbook
  • Listen to the Session Two Audio (optional)
  • Listen to the Session Two Video (optional)

Living Beyond Yourself Bible Study