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.