Fruit Full: 100 Family Experiences for Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit

by Christie Thomas

Overview

"FABULOUS . . . [MAKES] BIG VIRTUES ACCESSIBLE TO LITTLE PEOPLE." —DANIELLE HITCHEN, author of the Baby Believer® series


What do your kids know about the fruit of the Spirit? Maybe they can rattle off the list: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But do they really understand what the fruits look like in daily life?

Christie Thomas is here to help you connect your children to the power of the Holy Spirit—and help your entire family learn a lot along the way! Each of these 100 devotionals will inspire your family with thought-provoking questions, real-life applications, and more. She also includes hands-on activities you can try when there's time.

Fruit Full offers real understanding of how God covers each of us with his goodness and love, and how the Spirit will help your kids grow in their own beautiful, Jesus-reflecting character. With this book as your guide, the whole family will learn to grow abundant "fruit" together.


"Grounded in Scripture and refreshingly contemporary. . . . Sure to bring you and your kids closer together." —BROCK EASTMAN, author of The Quest for Truth series

"The most comprehensive, well-written family devotional on the fruits of the Spirit that I have ever read. . . . A thoroughly easy-to-read, delightful devotional." —GLENYS NELLIST, author of the Love Letters from God series

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780825447280
Publisher:	Kregel Publications
Publication date:	02/15/2022
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	659,499
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Christie Thomas is a homeschooling mom and author in Alberta, Canada. She has been the director of children's ministries at Bethel Community Church in her hometown, and is the author of Quinn's Promise Rock and The Mother and Son Prayer Journal. Find Christie on the web at fruitofthespiritbook.com.

Table of Contents

Letter to Parents 11

The Fruit of the Spirit

Hands-On Growth Activities 17

Day 1 What Is the Fruit of the Spirit? 19

Day 2 To Be Fruitful, We Need Jesus 21

Day 3 How Do We Grow Good Fruit? 23

Day 4 The Fruit of Light 25

Day 5 Why Should I Bother? 27

Day 6 The Right Food 29

Day 7 The Strongest Roots 31

Day 8 The Brightest Light 33

Day 9 The Wettest Water 35

Day 10 The Toughest Pruning 37

Love

Hands-On Growth Activities 41

Day 11 Where Does Love Come From? 43

Day 12 More Than a Sparrow 45

Day 13 Loving the Prodigal 47

Day 14 Loving the Proud 49

Day 15 The Deepest Love 51

Day 16 Loving God 53

Day 17 Loving Others 55

Day 18 Spotless Love 57

Day 19 Prove It to the World 59

Day 20 Reconciling Love 61

Joy

Hands-On Growth Activities 65

Day 21 Joy-Filled Obedience 67

Day 22 Life of the Party 69

Day 23 Creator of Joy 71

Day 24 The Treasure 73

Day 25 Joyful Return 75

Day 26 Joyful Discovery 77

Day 27 God's Reason for Joy 79

Day 28 Joy in Sadness 81

Day 29 Joy in the Morning 83

Day 30 Bursting with Joy 85

Peace

Hands-On Growth Activities 89

Day 31 Prince of Peace 91

Day 32 Peace in the Storm 93

Day 33 Prayerful Peace 95

Day 34 Perfect Peace 97

Day 35 Courageous Peace 99

Day 36 Grateful Peace 101

Day 37 Backstage Peace 103

Day 38 Trustworthy Peace 105

Day 39 Peaceful Position 107

Day 40 Trusting Peace 109

Patience

Hands-On Growth Activities 113

Day 41 Remote Patience 115

Day 42 Unhurried Life 117

Day 43 Frustrating Patience 119

Day 44 Testing My Patience 121

Day 45 Forgetfulness 123

Day 46 Patient Questioning 125

Day 47 Patient Timing 127

Day 48 Patience in Confusion 129

Day 49 Patience with Unbelief 131

Day 50 Rock-Solid Patience 133

Kindness

Hands-On Growth Activities 137

Day 51 Gut-Wrenching Compassion 139

Day 52 Running Compassion 141

Day 53 Full of Compassion 143

Day 54 Eyes of Kindness 145

Day 55 Contagious Kindness 147

Day 56 The Kindest Anger 149

Day 57 Behind Enemy Lines 151

Day 58 Repentance Through Kindness 153

Day 59 Kindness Through Pain 155

Day 60 Familiar Kindness 157

Goodness

Hands-On Growth Activities 161

Day 61 Good God 163

Day 62 Good Gifts 165

Day 63 Troublesome Goodness 167

Day 64 Neighborly Goodness 169

Day 65 Tough Goodness 171

Day 66 Pretend Goodness 173

Day 67 No Judgment 175

Day 68 Golden Goodness 177

Day 69 Treasure-Box Heart 179

Day 70 Super Goodness 181

Faithfulness

Hands-On Growth Activities 185

Day 71 Following Faithfully 187

Day 72 Mission Faithful 189

Day 73 Faithful Prayer 191

Day 74 Standing Firm 193

Day 75 Constant Growth 195

Day 76 Constant Saltiness 197

Day 77 Constant Light 199

Day 78 A Sign of Faithfulness 201

Day 79 Promise Keeper 203

Day 80 Faithful Presence 205

Gentleness

Hands-On Growth Activities 209

Day 81 Gentle Messiah 211

Day 82 Peaceful King 213

Day 83 Gentleness Wins the Day 215

Day 84 No Condemnation 217

Day 85 Kissing Babies 219

Day 86 Upside-Down Kingdom 221

Day 87 Gentle Yoke 223

Day 88 Gentle Spirit 225

Day 89 Gentle Strength 227

Day 90 Lion and Lamb 229

Self-Control

Hands-On Growth Activities 233

Day 91 Controlling the Walls 235

Day 92 Swing That Sword 237

Day 93 Sweet Temptation 239

Day 94 Mind Control 241

Day 95 Slow Anger 243

Day 96 Unselfish Anger 245

Day 97 Controlling the Tongue 247

Day 98 Sword Control 249

Day 99 Fearless Control 251

Day 100 The Powerful Spirit 253

Conclusion 255

Acknowledgments 256

Editorial Reviews

"Christie Thomas provides a tremendous resource for families. . . . Through this kid-friendly, comprehensive study, children will learn how to be rooted in Jesus in order to experience continual spiritual growth."

Crystal Bowman

"When Christie was the Children’s Director, at the church I served as Lead Pastor, I witnessed firsthand her passion for ministry, her love for God, and her deep concern for the children and families she served. Now she has given us a book about the fruits of the Spirit that is beautifully Christ-centered and grace-filled. I can’t wait to recommend Fruit Full to the families in my church."

Tom Baird

"In this devotional, Christie does a fabulous job of making big virtues accessible to little people. This guide is practical and relational—easy enough for a tired parent at the end of the day, but deep enough to produce real conversation and a better understanding of who Christ is and who he has created us to be."

Danielle Hitchen

"Christie Thomas's approach to helping children grow in Christ exhibits everything you’d want in a devotional: depth, warmth, and surprising insights."

Marianne Hering

"As a pastor and father, I often ask myself how to have more Spirit-filled conversations about Jesus with my kids. Fruit Full highlights that growing and vibrant faith emerges from families that commit to daily rhythms of sitting, playing, and receiving the gift of God’s freedom. I recommend Fruit Full to any parent seeking practical ways to have fun and learn more about Jesus with your kids. Not only will your kids be blessed by the love and intentionality in this resource, but you will too."

Cris Harper

"So often, I find it is a struggle to make abstract, spiritual concepts real and relatable to kids. But Christie Thomas has done exactly that in Fruit Full: 100 Family Experiences for Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit. By combining Bible stories with some of her own personal adventures, Thomas has created a resource that is both biblically sound and fun to read. She goes beyond explanations to encourage children to look for the Spirit’s fruits in their own lives, as well as to seek a deeper connection with Christ. With just the right amount of humor to keep kids engaged, Fruit Full is sure to be a sweet experience for your family’s devotion time."

Tama Fortner

"Would you like the fruit of the Spirit to be a reality in your children’s lives and your family life? Pick up this outstanding book and let it guide you!"

Diane Stortz

"Fruit Full is grounded in Scripture and refreshingly contemporary. This family-focused devotional is sure to bring your kids and you closer together."

Brock Eastman

"Fruit Full is the most comprehensive, well-written family devotional on the fruits of the Spirit that I have ever read. Using stories from Scripture and her own examples from everyday life, Christie Thomas not only explains the nine fruits of the Spirit in ways that are meaningful and accessible to children, but also includes 100 practical ideas for families to participate in together. A thoroughly easy-to-read, delightful devotional."

Glenys Nellist