You’re probably wondering if you clicked on the right blog but hear me out.  Last Sunday an elder in our Church told the congregation, ‘You can’t give away what you don’t have.’ Those words made an impression.  I immediately thought of all the Kid’s Ministry leaders in Churches everywhere who could be running a ministry or class feeling so depleted they barely have anything left to give. 

What Do Children Need from Kid’s Church Leaders and Volunteers?

What do children need from leaders?  A smile, attention and fun.  They also need to be taught an engaging, impactful Bible story.  It would help if they had songs, games and a craft.  And they need all this for at least an hour, or more probably two, week in and week out.  (Not to mention the administrative side of ministry.)  How can Kid’s Ministry leaders and volunteers do it?  You can’t give away what you don’t have.    

Let’s look at the Fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23.  ‘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.’  Wow, what a list.  Imagine if every Kid’s Church leader and volunteer turned up to minister bursting with all that fruit!  The Fruit of the Spirit are the actions, the outward expressions, of a Christian who has the Holy Spirit dwelling inside them and they’re essential, especially when you work with children. 

What?  There’s more I have to do? 

Do I have to grow fruit as well?  The Fruit of the Spirit does not come by straining or effort.  The Fruit comes from a relationship with Jesus and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.  There is such a thing as forced fruit.  It’s a horticultural practice of producing crops out of their natural growing season.  I think if we try and force the fruit of love, joy or faithfulness won’t be able to sustain it.  Yet as Christians, like the disciples, we must bear fruit.  In John 15:16 Jesus says, ‘You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit – fruit that will last –  and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.  In Colossians 1:10-12 Paul writes, ‘…so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light.’  God’s strength is there to help us meet every challenge!  Paul’s words echo those of Jesus back in John 15:7-8.  ‘If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.  This is to My Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.’  It is Jesus dwelling in us through the power of the Holy Spirit that will make the difference in our lives and the lives of the kids we teach. 

How Do I Remain in Christ Jesus?

By believing and trusting in Jesus and keeping close communication with Him through

• Prayer and heartfelt conversations
• Reading the Bible
• Receiving from Him – don’t be too busy to listen!

Remaining, or abiding, means we will produce fruit.  Not forced and not fake.  We will grow love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  We will be able to give away to the kids what we are bursting full of and they will know us by our fruit!  (Matthew 12:33)

I have a Bible Lesson about the Fruit of the Spirit free to download here: https://cooeekidsministry.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/In-the-Orchard.pdf