Fruit Explosion: Kids Bible Lesson on the Fruits of the Spirit Sermon, Crafts, Activities & Family Devotion (Galatians 5:22–23)
LESSON OVERVIEW
Theme: Overflowing with the Fruit of the Spirit
Big Truth: When we live close to God, His Spirit fills us with love, joy, peace, and all the rest!
Key Scripture: Galatians 5:22–23
Pillar Focus: Voice — Sharing God’s character in our words and actions, expressing His Spirit to others.
1) INTRODUCTION
Have you ever watched a fruit explode when it’s super ripe — juicing everywhere? In the Bible, Paul says when we live by God's Spirit, our lives “burst” with good fruit — not apples and oranges, but love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control! Today, we’ll discover how God’s Spirit helps us be like a fruit explosion — refreshing everyone around us!
2) GAME: Fruit Basket Splash
Introduction: Who’s ready for a fruit-tastic race? Today we’re going to play a game about the Fruit of the Spirit—like love, joy, and kindness! But these aren’t fruits you eat—they’re good things that grow in our hearts when we follow Jesus. Let’s see how many Fruit of the Spirit words we can collect together!
Materials:
Play balls (or beanbags) labeled with each Fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, Self-Control
Empty laundry baskets or boxes (one for each fruit word or mix them up as you wish)
Open space for running and tossing
Instructions:
Scatter the "fruit" balls in the center of your play area.
When you say "GO!", kids race to pick up the balls, call out the word written on each one (“Peace!” “Kindness!”), and toss the ball into the matching basket or box.
Keep going until all the fruits are gathered.
After the game: Circle up and talk—Which Fruit of the Spirit is easiest for you to show? Which one is hardest?
Preschool tip: Use real fruit or soft plush fruits and help little ones shout out, “I can be kind/loving/joyful!” before they toss.
3) PRAISE & WORSHIP
Introduction: Now, let’s get up on our feet! We’re going to sing and dance and let God’s Spirit fill us up with all that good fruit—like love, joy, and patience. As we sing these songs, try making up fun actions for each fruit word. Ready? Let’s let our lives burst with God’s fruit!
Song List:
"Fruit of the Spirit Song" — Listener Kids
"Love, Joy, Peace" — KidSpring
"Shine With the Light of Jesus" — Yancy
"Overflowing" — Seeds Family Worship
"This is How We Grow" — Lifetree Kids
How to Make Worship Fun:
Do a different action for every word (“Love”—hug yourself, “Joy”—big jump, “Peace”—quiet pose).
March, clap, wave arms, or even make a fruit “explosion” motion every time you sing your favorite word!
Cheer each other on: “You’ve got the fruit of the Spirit!”
4) BIBLE STORY SERMON: Fruit Explosion — Overflowing with God’s Spirit
Leader/Narrator: Let’s imagine something together: picture the juiciest, ripest fruit you can think of. Maybe it’s a bright orange, a red apple, or a delicious bunch of grapes. What happens if you squeeze it hard? Juice goes everywhere! But did you know, when you follow Jesus and let God’s Spirit fill you, your life can be like a big fruit explosion— full of good things that bless everyone around you.
Open your Bible to Galatians 5:22–23.
The apostle Paul is writing to people who want to know: “How do I live every day as God’s child?” Here’s what he says:
“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.”
Paul doesn’t say, “Try really hard to look loving or act patient.” He says these wonderful fruits GROW in us when we stay close to God. Just like a tree needs sunshine, water, and good soil, we need God’s Spirit to produce fruit in us!
Let’s unpack each fruit:
Love: This is more than hugs. It means loving when it’s difficult. It means showing care for everyone—even people who are hard to like!
Joy: This isn’t just feeling happy. God’s joy is a deep, wonderful excitement in your heart, even when things aren’t perfect.
Peace: This means being calm and still when others are upset. It’s a quiet trust that God is in control.
Patience: Waiting with a good attitude. Not giving up when things take too long, or when someone annoys you.
Kindness: Smiling, helping, speaking gently—giving more than what is expected.
Goodness: Always choosing what is right, even when no one is watching.
Faithfulness: Sticking with God and others; telling the truth, keeping your promises.
Gentleness: Being strong, but careful—treating others softly, not harshly.
Self-Control: Stopping yourself from blurting out, snapping, or grabbing what you want; choosing to do what’s best, not just what you feel.
Now, if you squeeze an apple, apple juice comes out. If someone bumps into you—when your day is hard or someone is mean—what comes out of you? If you’re filled with the Spirit, what comes out is love, patience, and kindness!
Let’s be honest: nobody can grow all these fruits by themselves. Paul said it’s the "fruit of the Spirit." Only God can shape our inside lives so we’re overflowing with good things.
How does this happen?
Spend time with God every day—like watering your spirit! Pray, read His Word, talk with Him just like a best friend.
Ask the Holy Spirit for help. If you are feeling mad, ask: “Holy Spirit, give me gentleness and self-control right now.” If you are sad, ask for joy!
Practice noticing God’s fruit in others. When you spot patience, kindness, or faithfulness in a friend or family member—celebrate it!
Here’s the amazing part: The world expects people to be angry, rude, or selfish. When you explode with the fruit of the Spirit—when you’re a “fruit explosion” for Jesus—everyone around you notices something different. Your life will make them thirsty for God.
Let’s pray together:
Holy Spirit, I want to overflow with Your fruit. Grow Your love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control in my heart. Make my life a fruit explosion that blesses everyone around me! In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Challenge for the Week:
Pick one fruit of the Spirit you want God to grow more in you this week. Ask Him for help, and notice where you can practice it every day!
5) HOLY SPIRIT ACTIVATION: Fruit Explosion Prayer Garland
Introduction: Today, you’ll make a super colorful fruit garland to hang at home or in our church room! Each fruit on your garland shows something the Holy Spirit wants to grow in your life, like love, patience, or joy. Every time you pass by, you’ll be reminded to ask God for His help to show these fruits every day!
Materials:
Colored construction paper
Markers, crayons, or stickers
String or yarn
Clothespins or tape
Instructions:
Cut out fruit shapes from construction paper (apples, bananas, oranges, grapes—use your imagination!).
On each fruit, write your name and one Fruit of the Spirit (“Love,” “Peace,” etc.).
For every fruit, write or draw a simple prayer: “Holy Spirit, help me show joy this week!” or “Help me be kind today.”
Attach each fruit to a long piece of string/yarn with clothespins or tape to make a garland.
Hang up your garland where you’ll see it every day as a reminder to pray and let God’s fruit “explode” and grow in you!
6) CRAFT 1: Fruit of the Spirit Pop-Up Book
Introduction: We’re going to make our very own Fruit of the Spirit pop-up book! Each page will focus on one fruit—like love, joy, or self-control—with your drawings and ideas for how to live it out. You’ll flip through your book all week so you can remember to 'explode' with God’s fruit wherever you go!
Materials:
Construction paper or cardstock
Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
Scissors, glue
Brass fasteners or a stapler (to hold the book together)
Printable fruit images or blank pages to draw your own
Instructions:
Make 9 small pages or cards—one for each Fruit of the Spirit.
On each page, write the name of the fruit, decorate with your drawing (or a printed image), and write or draw one way to live it out (example: “Goodness—help someone in need!”).
Stack the pages, punch a hole and secure with a brass fastener or staple the edge to make your book.
Use your pop-up book at home—flip to a new page each day and pray for God’s help to practice that fruit.
Preschool tip: Use big, easy fruit shapes and help the little ones match each fruit picture to the word and action with your help.
7) CRAFT 2: Juicy Kindness Stampers
Introduction: Ready to make a juicy, colorful Fruit Explosion art wall? You’re going to use fruit-shaped stampers and paints to decorate a poster, and on each stamped fruit, you’ll write or draw one way to show the Fruit of the Spirit—like kindness, patience, or joy. It’s messy and fun—just like an explosion of God’s goodness!
Materials:
Sponges or foam cut into fruit shapes
Washable paints
White or colored paper
Instructions:
Dip your fruit stamper into paint and press it onto your paper to make big, bright fruit prints.
After each print dries, write or draw a way you can show kindness, joy, or patience this week beside each fruit (“Be gentle with my brother,” “Help a friend,” “Celebrate when things go well!”).
Hang your art up in class or at home to create a Fruit Explosion wall as a reminder to let God’s fruit burst out of you all week long!
8) SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Introduction: Gather your kids into groups and discuss the following questions together!
Which Fruit of the Spirit is easiest or hardest for you?
Share a time you saw God’s fruit in someone’s actions.
How can you let God’s Spirit burst out in your life this week?
Who needs to see God’s kindness or love through you?
9) PRAYER
Holy Spirit, fill us with Your fruit so we can love and shine for others. Help us burst with joy, peace, and patience everywhere we go. Use us for Fruit Explosions of kindness all week! Amen.
10) FINAL THOUGHT FOR PARENTS AND LEADERS
This lesson inspires kids to show God’s character everywhere—from school to home, team to playground—by relying on the Spirit to 'explode' His fruit in their lives. Encourage families to make Fruit Garland or Wind Spinner crafts together, check each day for a new 'fruit challenge,' and talk about simple ways God’s Spirit can be seen in actions, conversations, and choices. Celebrate 'Fruit Sightings' as a family all week!
