Youth ministry programs

Christian Youth Group Activity: The Fruits of the Spirit

"But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self control. There is no law against such things as these."

Activity: Purchase beads of nine different colors as well as wood spacers. These will be used to make bracelets, assembled on a bracelet chord. Most craft stores will have these items. The items can be purchased, when bought in bulk, for about $1.00 per bracelet.

Before youth assemble the bracelet ask youth to solve the following word problems:


Puzzle Solution
OLEV LOVE(opposite alphabet - A=Z, B=Y, etc.)
KPZ JOY (next letter in alphabet)
ECAEP PEACE (word spelled backwards)
16, 1, 20, 9, 5, 14, 3, 5 Patience (numbers reflect letters - 1=A, 2=B, etc.)
JHMCMDRR Kindness (previous letter in alphabet)
Make a mirror image of "Goodness" Goodness (mirror image)
HFOUMFOFTT Gentleness (letter after in alphabet)
"Not others" - "To hold back" Self Control (self = not others; control = to hold back)
Last word Galatians 5:22 Faithfulness

Give the clues, one at a time, to small groups of youth on colored paper. Once a clue is discovered, each member of the group receives a bead or two of the same color as the paper to put on the bracelet. The successful group receives subsequent clues until the bracelet is completed (nine colors). If a group has a problem with a clue let them try a different word puzzle. The Galatians 5:22 clue is given last as it lists all the fruits of the spirit and could assist groups who had difficulty with some of the clues. Wooden spacers were also given to fill in empty spots between the beads on the bracelet.

After all bracelets are completed, take time to remind youth that the colored beads represent different fruits of the spirit. Discuss the definition behind each of these fruits. Take a poll amongst youth members as to which of the fruits of the spirit they think they have and which need to become a part of their personalities. Note that some of the more difficult fruits,in the eyes of youth, are probably patience and self control. Determine which fruits are most common and why.

Question: Do you (youth) know anyone who has all of the fruits of the spirit? Do you think there are many people who can claim to have incorporated all of these fruits in their lives?

How about Biblical individuals? Jesus clearly was filled with the fruits. The Apostle Paul lists them in Galatians chapter five. From what is known about Paul�s life was he filled with all nine fruits? Or are these goals for Christians to set for themselves?

Remind youth that we find God when we open our hearts to him and let his spirit fill us. End the lesson with a prayer asking that God's spirit fill each of us with these fruits.

Jo writes regarding Not the Same Old, Done-it-before Youth Meetings ... "I think this book is really good and helpful. I first read the online version of the book because i did not want to pay for it. But after reading a couple of program ideas and having a very very successful youth program I totally HAD to get this book. It is well worth the money." Read more reviews like this one by Jo by clicking ...
Not the Same Old, Done-it-before Youth Meeting (the book)


We would love to hear if this activity was useful to your group. Please share your experience by writing to: TimFerguson@christianyouthgroup.org.

Ideas for youth to continue to learn Biblical truths... click: From the Mountaintop


I Want to be Empowered as a Youth Leader


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