Fruit of the Spirit Christmas Planಮಾದರಿ

Day 4: Patience

“Therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and dearly loved, put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a grievance against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you are also to forgive.” (Col. 3:12-13)

“Therefore I, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.“ (Ephesians 4:1-3)

God’s Plan: Patience reflects God's patience with humanity and allows us to navigate challenges and interpersonal conflicts with grace. It teaches us to rely on God’s timing rather than our own. Our patience reflects God’s character to others, showing His longsuffering and mercy.

Description: The ability to endure difficult situations without frustration or complaint; it includes being slow to anger.

Activity idea: Puzzle Challenge

Work on a jigsaw puzzle together, discussing the importance of patience as you slowly piece it together. Practice patience by allowing each participant a separate time to put a piece in.

Example of Fruit in everyday life: Waiting calmly in a long line without getting upset, or being supportive of a friend who is struggling with their issues over an extended period.

Arts and crafts: Colorful Paper Chain

Cut paper into strips, about 2cm wide and 10cm long. You’ll need one strip for each day leading up to Christmas Day (for example, if it's 10 days away, make 10 strips). Decorate the paper strips with markers, crayons, or stickers. Everyone can make their own chain and draw things that make them happy or write words that remind them to be patient, like "wait," "hope" or "joy." Glue or staple the ends of one strip together to form a loop. Then, loop the next strip through and close it to create a chain. Keep adding strips until all the paper is linked in one chain.

Hang the chains somewhere visible, like on doors or a wall. Each day, everyone can remove one link from the chain as they get closer to the big day.

Remove one chain link per day for 5 or 10 days before Christmas. This craft helps family members, children or friends visualize time passing as they build patience for the big day!

This gives them something to look forward to and helps them practice patience one day at a time. Each time they remove a link, talk about what it means to wait and why patience is important. You could also read Psalm 27:14: "Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!"

Eating together: Slow-Cooked Stew

Make a hearty stew in a slow cooker, or a pot on the fire allowing it to simmer for a few hours, showcasing the value of patience in cooking.

Today’s Prayer: Grant me the gift of patience. Help me to wait with grace and endure with a calm spirit. May I trust in Your timing and find strength in moments of waiting.