From Roots to Fruits (Week 6 - Goodness)
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Handout
Handout
Introduction:
Start by explaining that you’re going to explore what "goodness" means to everyone in the room, using something they all know: emojis!
Ask the group: "Which of these emojis do you think best represents 'goodness' and why?"
Let a few people share their thoughts and reasons for their choices.
It’s interesting how we use emojis to express different feelings and qualities.
But today, we’re going to dig deeper into what 'goodness' really means and where it comes from.
As we get started, let’s look back at the main passage where we get the fruit of the Spirit from:
Galatians 5:22–23 (ESV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
As we read this, we come across the word “goodness,” described as a fruit from the indwelling of the Holy Spirit in our lives
As we hear this word, I bet that there are some different things that go through your mind
Q. When you hear the word “goodness,” what comes to your mind?
“Oh my goodness!”
Q. What does it mean for something to be good?
Not bad!
Enjoyable
Good morally speaking
Q. How does goodness stick out? How is it different from the other fruits of the Spirit?
Similar to kindness
Has to do with both being and doing
We will be looking at three truths about goodness that we see from God’s word
Three Truths About Goodness:
Goodness doesn’t come from us
Romans 7:18 (ESV)
18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out.
Q. Why does goodness not come from us?
We aren’t good; we’re sinful
Q. Why is there no good inside of us?
Our sin
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden
We have inherited a sinful nature
Goodness does not come from our own effort
We can’t come to church enough times, read our Bible enough times, pray enough times, or do enough good deeds to create “goodness” inside of ourselves.
If there is ever going to be any goodness inside of us, we need to figure out where the source of goodness is, because it isn’t us!
Illustration:
Check out this lamp!
Q. What is this lamp used for?
Q. How do I turn it on? Why Can’t I turn it on?
Just like this lamp can’t shine a light unless it is plugged up to a source of power, we cannot have goodness within us unless we are connected to the source of goodness
Speaking of that; what is the source of goodness?
Three Truths About Goodness:
Goodness doesn’t come from us
Goodness comes from God
Mark 10:18 (ESV)
18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
Q. Why is only God good?
He is Holy
16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
Q. How is God’s holiness good?
He can’t sin
5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.
Q. What’s another way of saying that God can’t sin?
He is perfect
4 “The Rock, his work is perfect,
for all his ways are justice.
A God of faithfulness and without iniquity,
just and upright is he.
Q. What are some examples of God’s perfection?
He can’t sin (without iniquity)
His is just and His ways are just (right)
He is faithful
God’s goodness is something that we get to experience as Christians
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!
Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
Q. What are some ways that we taste and see the Lord’s goodness
Answered prayers
Creation
Jesus’ sacrifice
It is a privilege to behold God’s goodness in our lives
I am sure that we can all think of ways that we have seen His goodness in our lives
Illustration:
Share a story of how God’s goodness has impacted my life
The blessing of friendship
And God’s goodness isn’t just something we see outside of ourselves; it also is within us (if you have accepted Christ!)
Three Truths About Goodness:
Goodness doesn’t come from us
Goodness comes from God
God gives us His goodness
Psalm 23:6 (ESV)
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
all the days of my life,
and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
forever.
Q. How does God give us His goodness?
Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross
His Resurrection
Through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit
All Christians have God’s goodness inside of them
And it follows us wherever we go (see verse)
We don’t do good to create goodness inside of us; we do good because His goodness is already inside of us
3 His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,
God, by His power, has made us right with Him
Now His goodness lives inside of us, and we have the ability to do good things from a place of spiritual goodness
Application:
And the thing about God’s goodness being inside of us is this: We aren’t supposed to keep it to ourselves!
How can we show God’s goodness in our daily lives?
Acts of kindness
Helping others
Being honest
Forgiving others
Being a "light" in our communities by showing love and compassion.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Summary:
Review the main points:
Goodness doesn’t come from us.
Goodness comes from God.
God gives us His goodness through the Holy Spirit.
Today we've explored that true goodness doesn’t come from us but from God, and He gifts us His goodness through the Holy Spirit.
Let’s reflect on how we can let this goodness shine through our actions.
As we pray, let’s ask God to help us be a reflection of His goodness in all we do.
Prayer:
Personal Reflection: Before praying, give a moment for personal reflection on how each individual can personally apply goodness in their life. This can be done through journaling or silent prayer.
Close with a prayer asking God to help everyone embody goodness and make a positive impact in their surroundings.
Sure, here are six questions integrated together:
Small Group Questions
How can you actively demonstrate goodness in your interactions with friends, family, and even strangers this week? Can you think of a specific situation where you can apply the goodness you’ve learned about tonight?
What are some challenges you face in trying to live out goodness in your daily life? How can you rely on God’s strength and the Holy Spirit to overcome these challenges?
In what ways can you be a reflection of God's goodness in your community or school? How does living out God’s goodness influence those around you?
Can you share a time when you witnessed someone else showing true goodness? How did it impact you or others involved? How has experiencing God’s goodness in your own life changed the way you view and treat others?
How does understanding that goodness comes from God change your perspective on trying to be a good person? How can this understanding shape your relationship with God and your reliance on Him?
What are some practical steps you can take to ensure you stay connected to God, the source of goodness, throughout your daily life? How can you support each other in your group to grow in goodness and encourage one another?