SEPTEMBER 20, 2026 STUDY GUIDE

Fruit Inspection: Love

1 Corinthians 13:1-8 

Do you like to eat fresh fruit? Fruit is one of the healthiest foods on the planet. Doctors and nutritionists recommend that the average person eat fruit every day. Fruit is loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. The health benefits are numerous; it's good for the mind and the body. 

Why is God interested in fruit? The word "fruit" is used in Genesis 2, Psalm 1, and John 15. God calls His people to bear fruit, more fruit, and much fruit. How do you tell a real believer from a false believer? How do you identify a sincere servant from an insincere servant? God calls His children to be fruit inspectors, meaning first of themselves, and then, as God gives discernment, of others. The presence or absence of spiritual fruit shouts authenticity. 

Open your Bibles and read 1 Corinthians 13:1-8 and Galatians 5:22-23. The emphasis is on the "fruit of the Spirit," not "fruits of the Spirit." God's Word reveals one fruit with nine flavors. It's not like you're eating at a buffet restaurant. You pick one meat option and ignore other options. You have five dessert choices, but you select only one. All nine flavors are to be present and noticeable in your life as a believer. 

Here are a few questions to consider: 

- Have you turned from your sin and trusted Jesus Christ? 

- Are you growing closer to God?              

- Can other people see the fruit the Lord is producing in and through you?  

The first flavor of fruit listed is love. Please hear this next statement; the greatest act of love in human history is Jesus' death on a cross. He died for the sins of the world; He died in your place and paid your sin debt in full. Jesus' love is personal and sacrificial. If you're going to bear delicious fruit that God desires, you must be willing to die to yourself. That lifestyle mirrors the behavior of Jesus. 

What does God reveal about love as a fruit from 1 Corinthians 13? 

1. Understand the Biblical Context (1 Corinthians 13:1-13). This chapter is about love. This section of God's Word has been read at weddings countless times. It's meaningful and relevant in those settings. However, the correct context (the audience) of 1 Corinthians 13 is the church. The church in Corinth was gifted by God, but they weren't loving one another as God desired. Do you love God? Do you love your brothers and sisters in Christ? Do you love people currently outside of Christ?

2. Hear the Biblical Challenge (1 Corinthians 13:1-3). Paul declared that love is foundational for God's people. You may preach great sermons, sing beautiful songs, or teach powerful studies, but if love is missing, you're a "noisy gong" or "a clanging cymbal." As you think about your church family, is love present or absent? Why do many people avoid local churches? A primary reason is the absence of love. God's people are to love Him and one another.

3. Practice the Biblical Commands (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). Paul gave detailed insights about what love is, what love is not, and what love does. Take a few moments and read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 again. In your group, answer these three questions using the biblical text. What is love? What is not love? What does love do? An ungodly culture is watching the church and making comments. Many of the comments are unfair but painfully accurate because love is often missing.

As people inspect your church, do they see love? As an assignment this week, and in an appropriate way, can you send a "love note, email, or text" to another person? In your prayer time, share your love for the Lord with Him. When God opens a door, love a lost person by sharing the gospel with him or her. Those behaviors are the way you live out love in 1 Corinthians 13. 

Here are a few final questions to discuss: 

- How is biblical love being produced (displayed) in your church? 

- When have you felt most loved by the Lord and His people? 

- How are you obeying 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 in your Christian walk? 

As you conclude this week's study, take a few moments and pray for one another. That is a beautiful display of love. Here are three prayer prompts for you and your group. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide your prayer time.

- Pray for your church to love the Lord. 

- Pray for your church to love one another.

- Pray for your church to love those who need Jesus.     

FBC Clarksville is praying for you. Thank you for studying God's Word. May the Lord use this sermon series in your life, allowing you to display the "fruit of the Spirit!" 

Grace and Peace!                                     

View all of the "Fruit Inspection" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/fruitinspection.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2026 STUDY GUIDE

Fruit Inspection: JOY

Psalm 51:1-12

Are you enduring the Christian life or enjoying it? Read Psalm 118:24. God calls His people to be joyful. There are hundreds of references to joy or rejoicing in the Bible. Is joy present or absent in your walk with the Lord?

Real joy happens when the correct priorities are in place. Joy and happiness aren't the same. Happiness comes from stuff and experiences; joy is rooted in the Lord. Our world is self-absorbed. Jesus calls His people to deny self and follow Him. Joy comes when your priorities look like this: 

- Jesus

- Others

- Yourself    

Many verses in God's Word are easy to quote, but not so easy to live. 

Matthew 5:44 - But I say to you, "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you."

Philippians 2:14 - Do all things without grumbling or disputing.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.     

How do you "rejoice always" when life is falling apart? How do you stay "joyful" when you hear the worst news of your life? 

The second flavor of the "fruit of the Spirit" is joy. There's joy in salvation (Acts 8:39; Acts 15:3; Acts 16:34). Jesus' first miracle was at a joyous event, a wedding, not a funeral (John 2:1-12). 

Take a few moments and read Psalm 51. Here are a few opening questions for you and your group: 

- What series of events led David to write Psalm 51? 

- How could David be "a man after God's own heart" and still sin as he did?

- What did David ask God to do that relates to joy in the Christian life?

Here are three biblical principles from this week's text that lead to joy:

1. Believe Joy Matters (Psalm 51:1-3). Joy had fled David's life. His sin had found him out (Numbers 32:23). In the New Testament, the Greek words for joy and grace share the same root word. If you have experienced God's grace, then you should manifest His joy. The lack of joy indicates a spiritual problem, not a financial, relational, or vocational problem. Do you need to talk with Jesus about a lack of joy? 

2. Live Joyful Lives (Psalm 51:3-7). Life was hard for David. His sin had stolen His fellowship with God. His relationship was solid; his fellowship was strained. David confessed his sin because he longed to live joyfully again. Are you currently living a joyful life? Believing God is in control, relating with joyful people, and worshiping the true and living God lead to a joyful life.

3. Watch for Joy-Robbers (Psalm 51:8-12). David's joy had been stolen. The same joy-robbers that David encountered are still present today. Satan is still causing chaos. The wrong people can pull you away from the Lord. Sin remains a weakness for the strongest of the strong. If you're missing joy, what happened? David confessed and asked God for joy. Do you need to do the same? 

David lost the joy of the Lord's salvation. He prayed, "Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit" (Psalm 51:12). It's possible to be saved and lose the joy of His salvation. Is David's story your story? Is the joy of His salvation missing in your life? If so, cry out to Him, asking Him to restore His joy to you.  

Here are a few life application questions for you and your group: 

- When was your "defining moment" of salvation? 

- Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of any sin? 

- Do you need to confess any sin before God and other people? 

- What do you need to specifically ask God to do at this divine moment? 

- Do you need to receive His forgiveness and have your joy restored?  

One of the greatest ministries of a gathered Bible study group is prayer. The Lord delights when His people pray for one another. Here are three ways for you to pray for each other. 

- Pray for victory over temptation. The enemy is on the prowl to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10).       

- Pray for the Holy Spirit to move and for confession to take place. The greatest moves of God in history often started with confession.     

- Pray for every person in your group to live joyfully and fruitfully for God's glory. The Lord is the giver of joy. Receive His joy with thanksgiving. 

Thank you for studying God's Word with FBC Clarksville. You're loved and prayed for weekly. 

May the Lord fill you with His joy this week!  

Joy and Peace! 

View all of the "Fruit Inspection" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/fruitinspection.

OCTOBER 4, 2026 STUDY GUIDE

Fruit Inspection: PEACE

Philippians 4:4-7

Life today is complicated. Mental illness plays no favorites, affecting people of all ages. Stress is on the rise. "How can we pay our bills? How can I find employment? Loneliness is affecting people of all ages. "Why do I seem to be alone in a crowd? Why do I feel isolated in my personal life?" Anxiety is crippling many people today. "Why am I uneasy in certain social settings? Why do I say no to great opportunities?" As a result of these realities, many people live without peace. That's a tough way to live. 

What is the gospel? Take time now and share your understanding of the life and ministry of Jesus. Jesus said, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). True and lasting peace begins with knowing Jesus. He is your peace; He is the Prince of Peace!  

- How does a person come to faith in Jesus? 

- Why are believers surprised at hard times? 

- What does it mean for Jesus to say that He has overcome the world? 

Biblical peace isn't the absence of trouble; it's the presence of Christ in the middle of trouble. 

It's common to ask people, "How are you doing?" In the Hebrew language, the word for peace is "shalom." Jewish people ask, "Do you have peace?" Take a few minutes and read Philippians 4. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, mentioned "the peace of God."  God isn't a god of confusion; He is the God of peace. Share a specific example when your world was in chaos, but you had "the peace of God." How did that happen? What was it like? How may other people experience the same thing? 

Life is filled with peace-killers. Can you think of someone who appeared to have everything the world offered, yet openly confessed to feeling empty, lonely, and without peace? What can you learn from that?  

How do you handle these three realities in your life? How can you maintain peace when life is burdensome?  

- Pressures. You have deadlines to meet. You have a major speech to deliver in two days. Your company is losing money, and you're the leader.  

- Problems. Your health is failing. Your son or daughter is living wayward. Your income is insufficient to meet your daily and monthly needs.  

- People. Your family is broken and divided. You have difficult people in your workplace. You encounter road rage on your commute to work multiple times a week.  

What areas of your life do you need God's peace? Answering this question opens the door for you and your group to take the masks off, to be transparent with one another, and to pray for one another. As you share, spend time in prayer for one another.

- Pray for your group to be as confidential and safe as possible.

- Pray for group members to know that they're not alone in their struggles.  

- Pray for the Lord to bless your brothers and sisters in Christ with His peace. 

In Philippians 4, Paul gave biblical principles about responding to anxiety and experiencing "the peace of God." Here are three biblical principles to know and apply:

1. Experience Peace with God (Philippians 4:4-5; Romans 5:1). The Lord used Dr. Billy Graham greatly. One of his gospel tracts is entitled, "Steps to Peace with God." Peace with God is based on faith; it's relational. When did you experience God's peace? Share your salvation story with your group. Make sure, as you share, that Jesus is the Hero of your story. If someone in your group doesn't have peace with God, share the gospel with him or her now. 

2. Find Peace with Yourself (Philippians 4:6; Psalm 139:14). Technology allows you to see the world's troubles in real time. You know what's happening around the world immediately. If you look closely and listen aggressively, you'll learn that personal battles are taking place. It's the absence of personal peace. Read Psalm 139:14. Do you have personal peace? Do you see yourself the way God sees you? He wants you to find your identity, security, and peace in Him.   

3. Seek Peace with Other People (Philippians 4:7; Romans 12:18). Have you ever experienced a strained relationship with a family member, friend, church member, or business associate? If so, what did you do? Read what Paul said in Romans 12:18. Seeking peace with other people often means you take the lead, you focus on the issues, and you pray for flexibility. Is there anyone that you need to seek peace with in the next few days? 

Here are three final discussion appeals for you and your group. Allow the Holy Spirit to work over the next few minutes.    

- Share how you have peace with God.

- Talk about why it's hard to have peace with yourself. 

- Discuss realistic expectations when it comes to peace with other people.    

Thank you for taking the time to study God's Word today! You're a blessing to FBC Clarksville. 

May the Prince of Peace bless you with peace with Him, yourself, and other people! 

View all of the "Fruit Inspection" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/fruitinspection.

OCTOBER 11, 2026

Guest Preacher: Cole McCartney, Next Generation Pastor

OCTOBER 18, 2026 STUDY GUIDE

Fruit Inspection: PATIENCE

2 Peter 3:8-9

Have you ever prayed this prayer, "Lord, give me patience, and I want it right now?' God has a way of turning impatient people into patient people. Do you struggle with patience? This week's "fruit of the Spirit" is needed by many people. 

A lack of patience elevates anger, regret, and stress. A drive on today's roads reveals the lack of patience. Road rage is a real threat. Traffic delays increase people's heart rate. Slower drivers cause impatient drivers to break traffic laws. Even with all the technological advancements, it hasn't solved the patience dilemma. 

Among your group, talk about what happens when people run low on patience. Your answers will show how deep and wide are the effects of impatience. 

Now is a good time to open God's Word and read 2 Peter 3. Here are three questions to discuss from the biblical text:                   

- What does the patience of the Lord look like?

- What is God's desire for every person on the planet? 

- What is the connection between God's patience and people's obedience?  

The gifts of the Spirit are about ministry; the fruit of the Spirit is about maturity. How is God using you? How are you maturing in Christ?

The Greek word for patience means "longsuffering" or "slow to anger." Patience is a fruit (virtue) listed in Galatians 5:22-23.     

Here are three key, core principles from God's Word about patience:

1. Patience Displays God's Character (2 Peter 3:8-9; Exodus 34:6-7). Peter made it clear that the Lord is patient. Evil in the world reveals God's patience. Lostness throughout the world testifies to God's patience. Using Peter's life as an example, how was God patient with him? As you reflect back on your life, share times when God was patient with you. Have someone in your group read Exodus 34:6-7. God is patient! 

2. Patience Unfolds God's Process (2 Peter 3:8-9; Luke 11:9-10). Peter taught and modeled how God's patience is a process. He had seasons of obedience and disobedience. The goal of the Christian life is Christlikeness, and that's a process. Praying God's way requires patience. Farmers know firsthand the need for patience. Reaping a harvest takes time. What is the Lord doing in your life? How is He teaching you patience? What process is He using? 

3. Patience Reveals God's Grace (2 Peter 3:8-9; Job 42:12). Peter experienced God's amazing grace in many ways. The Lord saved him; the Lord called him; the Lord forgave him; the Lord used him; and the Lord restored him. Job modeled patience as He waited on God's blessings. What do you do when your dreams are shattered, your life falls apart, or you have many questions, but no answers?  Be patient and run to God and be transformed by His grace. His grace is still amazing! 

In your group, sing a song, pray a prayer, or share a word about God's patience. He is worthy to be worshiped. Allow the Holy Spirit to lead you and your group in a time of prayer and praise.   

Here are several group discussion questions: 

- Conversion: How was God patient with you before you were saved? Did you delay His invitation? Did you want to get saved on your time, not His? 

- Call: How was God patient with you when He called you? Did you fight or run from His call? Did you procrastinate and try to do what you wanted at first? 

- Conviction: How has God been patient with you in seasons of disobedience? Did you practice quick repentance? Did you stay in the "far country" too long (Luke 15)? 

The Lord uses your confessions, transparency, and vulnerability. Thank you for sharing your story. 

Take a few moments now to pray for one another. May the Lord use the next few minutes of prayer! 

- Pray with thanksgiving for God's patience. 

- Pray for your group to display the fruit of patience.

- Pray for confession and quick repentance. 

Thank you for studying God's Word with us this week. May the Lord bless you and your group!

Grace and Peace!  

View all of the "Fruit Inspection" Sermon Series Study Guides at fbct.org/fruitinspection.