Fruit Match

• Before class, create matching cards by making two sets of nine different pictures, each one representing one of the Fruits of the Spirit. Glue the individual pictures to index cards so the cards look identical from the back side. When it is time to play, shuffle the cards to mix them up. Lay the cards facedown on the table and have the first player pick two cards. If the cards match, the child may keep them. If the cards do not match, have the child turn them facedown in place. Allow the next child to take a turn. Continue taking turns until all the pictures have been matched. Then ask each child to describe what is happening on her card. Name the Fruits of the Spirit and ask each child which fruit is represented by the picture on her card.
  
  

Sing It to Learn It

• Singer and songwriter Rich Nelson's "The Fruit of the Spirit" song helps children learn and memorize the nine Spiritual Fruits. Promote active learning with the children by adding in hand and body motions.
  
  Have the children shake their fingers "no" while singing, "The fruit of the Spirit's not a coconut."
  
  Then have the children shake their heads emphatically "no" and sing again, "The fruit of the Spirit's not a coconut."
  
  While singing, "If you wanna be a coconut, you might as well hear it," have children put their hands up and cup their ears as if trying hard to hear something. Then they sing, "You can't be a fruit of the Spirit."
  
  While the children are singing the names of each of the Fruits, have them demonstrate each Fruit through facial expressions or gestures.
  
  "'Cause the fruit is: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience,
  
  "Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness,
  
  "Gentleness and Self-Control."
  
  For "Love," children can hug themselves. "Joy" can be shown with a big smile. "Peace" can be demonstrated by resting heads on hands as if sleeping. "Patience" can be shown by twiddling thumbs. For "Kindness," children can pat each other on the back. "Goodness" can be shown by hugging someone. "Faithfulness" can be simulated by folding hands in prayer. Demonstrate "Gentleness" by having each child lightly patting the head of the person next to him. Have children stand at attention to express "Self-control."
  
  The additional verses are:
  
  "The fruit of the Spirit's not a watermelon..."
  
  "The fruit of the Spirit's not a passion fruit..."
  
  "The fruit of the Spirit's not a, like, kiwi..."
  
  "The fruit of the Spirit's not a banana-mon..."
  
  "The fruit of the Spirit's not a Georgia peach..."
  
  ("The Fruit of the Spirit" is used with permission from RichNelsonMusic.com.)
  
  

Fruit Cereal Necklace

• Provide each child with nine pieces of circular-shaped fruit cereal and a piece of twine. Have the children thread the twine through the pieces of cereal and name the nine Fruits of the Spirit at the same time. When they have finished, help them knot the two ends of the twine together to secure their necklaces. Remind each child to tell her parents what the necklace represents.
  
  

My Favorite Fruit

• Share to show kindness and love.Jupiterimages/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images
  
  Have each child draw a picture of his favorite piece of fruit on one side of a piece of paper. Discuss why that particular fruit is his favorite. Turning the paper over, have the child draw his favorite Fruit of the Spirit on the other side. Sing Rich Nelson's "Fruit of the Spirit" song again while the children draw. Ask everyone why the Fruit he chose is his favorite. Have each child discuss how he can share his favorite Fruit of the Spirit with his family and friends through his actions.