Discussion Questions

As we kick off this series called “Fruitful,” go around and share one of your favorite fruits.

When you hear the word “fruitful,” what comes to mind? Productivity, impact, character, or something else.

REFLECT ON GOD’S WORD

Read Galatians 5:13-26 (take turns reading 1-2 verses each). What stands out to you from the contrast between flesh-led and Spirit-led living?

Ryan said we are all being led by something. What are some things that tend to “lead” you (success, approval, money, comfort, performance, etc.)? Share an example of how that plays out in your life.
How can you tell when someone is being Spirit-led versus flesh-led?

GO DEEPER

Ryan shared about four types of people who require supernatural help to love, which is the primary fruit of a Spirit-led life. The first type is the “Hardheads,” those who won’t listen, won’t change, and won’t grow. Why is it tempting to give up on Hardheads?
Read Jesus’ words in Luke 23:34. The “Hurtles” are those who have genuinely hurt you. As you consider someone like that, what makes forgiveness so difficult?
People that are difficult to love are the “Howevers.” They voted differently than you, they’re passive-aggressive, opinionated, and lack self-awareness. Who are some difficult-to-love people like this that God has put in your life?
The “Hostiles” are the ones who oppose you, are against you, disagree publicly, criticize openly, and undermine quietly. Read Matthew 5:44. How could praying for someone like this shift your posture toward them?

SHARE AND PRAY

As you think of the four groups of people (Hardheads, Hurtles, Howevers, and Hostiles), is there someone who comes to mind that God is prompting you to love? What might it look like for love to grow in that specific situation or relationship this week?
Share prayer requests and/or praises (ask someone in your group to write them down and email them out to the group during the week). Then, close by praying the following prayer from Ryan’s message together: God of LOVE, by the power of the Holy Spirit, fill us with Your LOVE, so that it will overflow out of us, each day and every way, in the week ahead, and towards the people you have placed in our lives….AMEN.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. – Galatians 5:22-23a

Day 1 — What’s Leading Me? Read Galatians 5:16-17. What led you most yesterday? Was it stress, ego, fear, ambition, comfort, or something else? Pray “Holy Spirit, make me aware of what is leading me, and gently redirect me toward You.”

Day 2 — Love Is First for a Reason. Read Galatians 5:22. Love is listed first because it fuels every other fruit. Where is your love conditional right now? Pray “God, let love be the root of everything I do today.”
Day 3 — Loving the Hardheads. Read Numbers 14:2-4. The Israelites kept resisting God, yet He remained patient. Loving “Hardheads” means refusing to give up even when growth feels slow. Is there someone you’ve emotionally checked out on? Pray for that person by name today, not that they would change, but that you would love well.

Day 4 — Loving the Hurtles. Read Luke 23:34. Jesus forgave in the middle of pain. Forgiveness is not excusing; it’s releasing. What hurt are you still carrying, and what would it look like to surrender it instead of rehearsing it? Write the name of the person who hurt you on paper. Pray over it, asking the Holy Spirit to produce love and forgiveness in you, and then physically tear the paper up as a symbol of surrender.
Day 5 — Loving the Hostiles & Howevers. Read Matthew 5:44. Jesus commands love for enemies, not because they deserve it, but because we are becoming like Him. Pray specifically for something good to happen in that person’s life this week.

Love Group Guide