KE Group Questions
Week of March 8, 2026

Summary
Pastor Steve begins by contrasting the flesh and the Spirit, explaining that Christians have a choice between walking in the Spirit or walking in the flesh, but cannot do both. He lists the deeds of the flesh from Galatians 5, emphasizing that nothing good comes from the flesh and believers must crucify these desires. Pastor Laurie then takes over to explain the fruit of the Spirit in detail - love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. She emphasizes that these are not individual fruits to pick and choose from, but rather the complete character of Jesus that should manifest in believers through the Holy Spirit's power. The message concludes with the understanding that when we accept Christ, He gives us a new heart with His DNA, making the fruit of the Spirit part of our new nature rather than something we must strive to achieve.

Ice Breaker
If you could only eat one type of fruit for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?

Key Verses
  • Galatians 5:16-17
  • Galatians 5:19-21
  • Galatians 5:22-23
  • Matthew 5:17-18
  • Romans 7:18

Questions
  • Pastor Steve mentioned that Christian liberty is 'freedom from sin, not freedom to sin.' What does this distinction mean to you personally, and how does it affect the way you live?
  • Paul says we cannot walk in both the Spirit and the flesh simultaneously. What are some practical ways we can choose to 'walk in the Spirit' in our daily lives?
  • Looking at the list of deeds of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, which ones do you think are most prevalent in our culture today? How can we guard against these in our own lives?
  • Pastor Laurie emphasized that the fruit of the Spirit is not like a bowl of fruit where we pick and choose, but rather the complete character of Jesus. Why is it important to understand that all these qualities should be present in a believer's life?
  • Love is listed first among the fruit of the Spirit. How does walking in love fulfill the law, as Paul suggests in this passage?
  • Self-control is described as the 'capstone' of all the other virtues. Why do you think self-control is so crucial for the other fruit to manifest properly in our lives?
  • The message explained that these virtues are part of our new 'DNA' when we accept Christ. How does this perspective change the way we approach spiritual growth and character development?
  • Paul says 'against such things there is no law' regarding the fruit of the Spirit. What does this mean, and how should this encourage us in our spiritual walk?

Life Application
This week, choose one area where you've been walking in the flesh rather than the Spirit. Identify specific actions you can take to 'crucify' that fleshly desire and instead allow the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit in that area of your life. Each day, consciously surrender that area to God and ask Him to manifest His character through you. Keep a journal of how you see God working in this area throughout the week.

Key Takeaways
  • Christians must choose between walking in the Spirit or walking in the flesh - we cannot do both simultaneously
  • The fruit of the Spirit represents the complete character of Jesus that should manifest in believers through the Holy Spirit's power
  • When we accept Christ, we receive a new heart with God's 'DNA,' making spiritual fruit part of our new nature rather than something we must strive to achieve
  • Self-control is the capstone virtue that enables all other fruit of the Spirit to operate properly in our lives
  • Christian liberty means freedom from sin to love and serve others, not freedom to indulge our fleshly desires

Importance  of KE Groups

Growing spiritually takes a daily personal walk with God and a gathering together in fellowship with other believers.

Our corporate gathering is for equipping the saints, but meeting in small groups allows regular individual
participation so that personal needs can be addressed.

Small groups also foster growth in ministering the gifts of the Holy Spirit, accountability, and the support
necessary to be a healthy member of the family of God.

The leadership of Praise Tabernacle has encouraged group leaders to be missional and evangelistic
in their approach to leading these groups.

The ultimate goal is Kingdom Expansion.

Learn More

KE  (KINGDOM EXPANSION)  
GROUP LOCATIONS


Egg Harbor Township
Wednesday Nights @ 6:30 pm - Andy & Lori Holman's home -


1st & 3rd Wednesday Nights @ 7:00 pm - Terry & Sue Luma's home -


Mays Landing
1st Wednesdays, 7 pm - Host: Pastor Josh & Loraine Kennedy;


3rd Wednesdays, 7 pm - Host: Matt & Elise Lucas;

4th Wednesday, 7 pm - Host: Caleb & Tahlia Wilkes;


Reach out to Pastor Josh if you have any questions: (609) 402-8869

Egg Harbor City
2nd & 4th Wednesday Nights @  6:30pm - Eddie Aponte's home -


Galloway
2nd & 4th Wednesday Nights @  6:30pm -Greg & Regina's home


Ocean View
Sunday Nights (Every 1st & 3rd) @ 6pm - Joanne Utt's Home  -