RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 26 October 2025 – Lesson 8
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TOPIC: Spiritual Gifts Versus Fruit (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 26 October 2025)
MEMORY VERSE: “(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)” – Ephesians 5:9 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (KJV) (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 26 October 2025)
4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.
7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
8 For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit;
9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;
10 To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues:
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
INTRODUCTION: The distinction between spiritual gifts and the fruit of the Spirit is essential for understanding their roles in a believer’s life. Both come from the Holy Spirit but serve different purposes: one focuses on service and edification, while the other reflects character and spiritual maturity.
LESSON OUTLINES
- THE UNDERSTANDING
- KEY DIFFERENCES
1. THE UNDERSTANDING
Spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities given by the Holy Spirit to equip believers for ministry, service in the body of Christ and glorify God (1 Corinthians 12:7; 1 Corinthians 14:26). Each believer receives at least one gift. These gifts include prophecy, healing, teaching, serving, giving, and leadership, among others (Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10). The Holy Spirit determines who receives each gift, ensuring the diversity and unity of the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:11). While gifts are freely given, they require active use, growth, and stewardship through practice, prayer, and learning (1 Timothy 4:14).
The fruit of the Spirit represents the character traits and virtues that grow in believers as they walk closely with God (Galatians 5:25). It reflects the personality of Christ, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, righteousness and truth (Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:9). The fruit is produced through abiding in Christ: a close relationship with Him enables believers to reflect His nature (John 15:4-5).
The fruit of the Spirit is a sign of spiritual growth and maturity (2 Peter 3:18). A believer’s life is recognised by the presence of these virtues (Matthew 7:16-20). Growth in the fruit requires intentionality, including obedience to God’s word, prayer, and avoiding sinful influences (Psalm 1:1-3).
2. KEY DIFFERENCES
Both spiritual gifts and the fruit of the Spirit are essential for a balanced Christian life. However, spiritual gifts empower believers for ministry, while the fruit of the Spirit shapes them into Christ-like individuals. Spiritual gifts focus on abilities for service while the fruit of the Spirit focuses on the character and maturity of the believer. Spiritual gifts are given to each believer uniquely whereas all the key components of the fruit are expected to be evident in every believer. A believer is given spiritual gifts to edify others but the fruit is produced to reflect Christ’s nature. Spiritual gifts are diverse and specific to roles given to each believer. However, the fruit of the Spirit are unified and holistic traits.
CONCLUSION: Spiritual gifts help the believer to be effective in service while the fruit of the Spirit ensures the believer is rooted in godly character.
QUESTIONS:
- Describe briefly the spiritual gifts and fruit of the Spirit.
- Highlight four key differences between Spiritual gifts and the fruit of the Spirit.
FURTHER READINGS:
Sunday: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 (KJV)
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19 And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked. 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it. 27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Monday: Romans 12:6-8 (KJV)
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.
Tuesday: Colossians 3:17 (KJV)
And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
Wednesday: 1 Timothy 1:5-6 (KJV)
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
Thursday: Galatians 5:22-23 (KJV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Friday: Romans 14:17 (KJV)
For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Saturday: Ephesians 5:9 (KJV)
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
ASSIGNMENT: State two (2) key differences be-tween spiritual gifts and fruit (5×2=10 Marks).
RCCG Sunday School HYMN
- O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
