From Seed to Fruit, the Growth Process Page 1

Throughout the Bible, there are many words and ideas used symbolically. One such instance is in our text – Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV). Listed there are nine character traits or qualities that the Apostle Paul calls “fruit,” that we, as Christians, should exhibit. In order to understand how we can make this fruit produce in our lives, we must first understand the fundamental principals of real fruit growth – from the seed to the fruit – the entire process. We must understand the stages of growth, as well as all of the components necessary for growth. These vital pieces of the puzzle include soil, water, light, and time which must ALL be present in order for a seed to sprout, develop into a tree, and bear fruit.

Here are a few important definitions to know and recall throughout this study. It will be very helpful for you to meditate on these definitions, and to refer back to them when they are used in the text of this study:

Develop: to make fuller, better, stronger; to evolve (to unfold, develop gradually); to come into being or activity; to become known.

Fruit: the enlarged or developed reproductive body of a seed plant, consisting of one or more seeds, and usually various protective and supportive structures.

Fruitful: fertile; productive in abundance; producing beneficial results.

Fruitless: yielding no fruit; unprofitable; useless; fruitless efforts.

Photosynthesis: the process of creating carbohydrates for the purpose of being used as energy by plants.

Seed: young plant enclosed with a food supply (the tiny plant inside the hard, outer coat is called the embryo and is the only part of the seed that can grow. Under the right conditions this plant will break through the outer coat and push up through the soil to the light).

Rooted: firmly fixed; to become settled.

Built up: to establish by means of hard work; to shape; construct.

Establish: to render stable; to prevent from changing; to equip; maintain.

Steadiness: remaining or able to remain; unchanged in character under conditions tending to cause such change (I love this one!); firm of purpose; not easily thrown off balance (we need this!).

Nurture: to provide for; those conditions which are favorable to healthy growth; cherish; hold dear; treasure; uphold; value; feed; nurse; rear; support; sustain; tend to.

Cultivate: to prepare land for crops; till; to foster; cause to develop; not left to grow wild; to work by stirring, fertilizing, sowing, and reaping; to bestow labor and care upon for the purpose of aiding and improving growth; to loosen the soil; to improve or develop by study, exercise, or training; to study carefully; to pay special attention to; to endeavor to acquire, develop, or improve by study and effort.

Nature: inborn character; disposition; type; sort.

Light: a form of electromagnetic radiation acting on the retina of the eye to make sight possible; illumination.

Dark: dispiriting; gloomy; very unpromising; occult and possibly evil; obscure; mysterious; secretive; total absence of light; to be ignorant; uninformed.