Whether you heard the message from Sunday or are part of one of our “What’s Next” groups at Venture, here’s a way for you to go deeper.
this week's next steps
This week's study
The fruit of goodness often gets overlooked. It can be confusing. What does goodness even mean? Does it mean that I am to “be a good person?” Is that enough? Honestly, not really. In Galatians, Paul isn’t just talking about moral performance or idealized Christian behavior. It is so much more than that!
Goodness is more than just being nice; it's about actively pursuing what is good and reflecting God's character in both actions and intentions. We were created in the image of God. Of a good God! And because of that, it is a part of our design to reflect His goodness. Now, that doesn’t mean that we will always want to choose goodness. Our flesh can be loud! It screams at us to pick the sin. It’s fun! It takes a courageous, Spirit-empowered strength to do what is right even when you would rather not.
Like all of the other fruits we have studied in this series, we must choose goodness! Fruit does not grow through neglect, misuse, or disregard. It must be nurtured. The Spirit grows fruit in us, as we align with Him. If we choose not to open the gift, not to nurture the gift, or align with the Spirit, how can we expect to embody goodness? How can we expect for Him to change our lives? God wants goodness for us! He openly offers us a good life, all we have to do is choose it. You see, goodness is not just the better option: It is the best!
Goodness is more than just being nice; it's about actively pursuing what is good and reflecting God's character in both actions and intentions. We were created in the image of God. Of a good God! And because of that, it is a part of our design to reflect His goodness. Now, that doesn’t mean that we will always want to choose goodness. Our flesh can be loud! It screams at us to pick the sin. It’s fun! It takes a courageous, Spirit-empowered strength to do what is right even when you would rather not.
Like all of the other fruits we have studied in this series, we must choose goodness! Fruit does not grow through neglect, misuse, or disregard. It must be nurtured. The Spirit grows fruit in us, as we align with Him. If we choose not to open the gift, not to nurture the gift, or align with the Spirit, how can we expect to embody goodness? How can we expect for Him to change our lives? God wants goodness for us! He openly offers us a good life, all we have to do is choose it. You see, goodness is not just the better option: It is the best!
Questions to Consider:
- What does goodness mean to you? Did it change after this week’s message?
- Where is the fruit of goodness a hard choice in your life right now? Where are you avoiding it or justifying your way out of dealing with it?
- Consider the idea that God wants us to choose goodness. What does that mean to you?
- How can you, as a sinful person, choose to embody goodness?
Resources for Study:
Recommended Reading:
Anxious for Nothing by Max Lucado
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
Live No Lies by John Mark Comer
The Best that Crouches at the Door - Rabbi David Fohrman
The Life You've Always Wanted – John Ortberg
Celebration of Discipline – Richard Foster
Practicing the Way: Become Like Him. Do As He Did – John Mark Comer
The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction – Justin Whitmel Earley
Practicing Christian Doctrine: An Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically – Beth Felker Jones
Living in the Spirit – George O. Wood
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society – Eugene H. Peterson
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones – James Clear
The Imitation of Christ – Thomas à Kempis
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality by Peter Scazzero
Live No Lies by John Mark Comer
The Best that Crouches at the Door - Rabbi David Fohrman
The Life You've Always Wanted – John Ortberg
Celebration of Discipline – Richard Foster
Practicing the Way: Become Like Him. Do As He Did – John Mark Comer
The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction – Justin Whitmel Earley
Practicing Christian Doctrine: An Introduction to Thinking and Living Theologically – Beth Felker Jones
Living in the Spirit – George O. Wood
A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Discipleship in an Instant Society – Eugene H. Peterson
Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones – James Clear
The Imitation of Christ – Thomas à Kempis
VENTURE Playlist
pastors unfiltered podcast
