Since July 3rd of this summer, 2025, I’ve felt like I’ve been walking through a time tunnel. A stress fracture in my right hip eventually led to a full hip replacement on August 14th. Those weeks of waiting and managing pain were no small challenge. But now, as of September 25th, I’m doing much better. With a clearer head and renewed strength, I want to share with you a subject that’s been on my heart: bearing biblical fruit.
I’ve written three articles identifying biblical fruit in the Scriptures. What follows is the first list of eleven.
How to use this teaching article: When you meet in your small group spend the whole session going through each fruit and communicate how you are progressing and what you can do to increase your fruit bearing efforts.
Notice verse 20 of Matthew 28, “Teaching them to observe,”
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.” – Matthew 28:20 KJV
What if, after every Bible study we attend or every sermon we hear, we had a session to give an account of how we have sought to obey what we learned?
The Parable of the Sower
Mark 4:13–20 (NKJV) 13 And He said to them, “Do you not understand this parable? How then will you understand all the parables? 14 The sower sows the word. 15 And these are the ones by the wayside where the word is sown. When they hear, Satan comes immediately and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts. 16 These likewise are the ones sown on stony ground who, when they hear the word, immediately receive it with gladness; 17 and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they stumble. 18 Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, 19 and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. 20 But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.”
A Few Brief Observations
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In verse 13, Jesus calls this “the parable.” Why? Because it is the key to all His other parables. If we miss this one, we’ll misunderstand the rest.
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The four soils represent four kinds of hearers. Only one—the good soil—produces lasting fruit.
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This means that those who drift away after hearing the Word reveal that they were never truly followers of Christ.
The reality is simple: no fruit, no root. Genuine faith always produces genuine works. As James says:
James 2:14 (NIV)
What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them?
Not all believers bear the same amount of fruit, but all true believers bear fruit.
The following are some of the “good fruit” found in the Bible. It was very up-lifting to identify these and muse over these powerful Scriptures. I would encourage you to look up each of them and allow the Spirit of God to ruminate over His applications for you. Have fun!!
Matthew 12:33 NIV
Make a tree good and its fruit will be good or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad, for a tree is recognized by its fruit.
Please feel free to add to the list.
Assess your progress:
1=Are you increasing? 2=remaining in neutral? 3=are you decreasing?
What will you do to step it up a notch?
Circle One for each fruit. (1, 2, 3)
1 Timothy 4:15 NIV
Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.
2 Corinthians 13:5 NIV
Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you–unless, of course, you fail the test?
#1 The Spirit of God Leads You Into All Truth (1, 2, 3)
John 16:13 (NKJV)
“However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”
1 Corinthians 2:12 (NKJV)
“Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.”
➡️ List two illuminations you have had from the Holy Spirit in the last two weeks.
#2 The Fruit of a Submissive Spirit to God (1, 2, 3)
James 4:7 (NASB95)
“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”
➡️ Explain one positive outcome because you submitted to Christ.
#3 Following Christ Means Reaching Others (1, 2, 3)
Matthew 4:19 (NIV)
“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.”
➡️ Do you have one or two people on your radar that you know are going to hell?
#4 The Bravery to Confront Evil (1, 2, 3)
Proverbs 25:26 (NIV)
“Like a muddied spring or a polluted well are the righteous who give way to the wicked.”
➡️ Name one way you have confronted evil in the last month.
#5 The Discernment to Distinguish Between Truth and Error (1, 2, 3)
1 John 4:1 (NIV)
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
➡️ List two theological errors you are aware of and how you addressed them with Truth.
#6 The Strength to Stand Alone for God and Christ (1, 2, 3)
Daniel 3:17–18 (NIV)
“If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.
18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”
➡️ Name two occasions in which you stood alone for your faith.
#7 Parents Will Not Compromise Scripture (1, 2, 3)
Luke 14:26 (NIV)
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.”
➡️ Have you told your children where you stand on Scripture and what the Bible says?
#8 Hunger for and Internalizing God’s Word (1, 2, 3)
Jeremiah 15:16 (NKJV)
“Your words were found, and I ate them, And Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; For I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts.”
➡️ Is God’s Word in you seeping out as you go about your day?
#9 Discipline Like a Soldier (1, 2, 3)
2 Timothy 2:4 (NIV)
“No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.”
➡️ Name one godly discipline you want to improve.
#10 Discipling Others (1, 2, 3)
2 Timothy 2:2 (NIV)
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
➡️ Are you discipling someone—or seeking someone to disciple?
#11 Affirming and Defending the Faith (1, 2, 3)
Philippians 1:7, 16 (NIV)
“It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart and, whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God’s grace with me. …
16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel.”
➡️ Which will you strengthen more—affirmation or defense of the Faith?
Final Reflection
How did you assess yourself?
Circle one: Pleased • Motivated • Convicted
Remember: Christ is after progress, not perfection.
Walking With You in the Spirit,
Dale
“By their fruit you will recognize them.” — Matthew 7:20