Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Galatians 5:22-23), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• Self-control as the Fruit of the Spirit is a facet of divine love, the restraining of one’s self-oriented impulses in order to give oneself to others for the sake of Christ and the Gospel. “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the Gospel’s will save it” (Mark 8:34-35). For Christians, self-control means quitting the addiction to self (self-protection, self-fulfillment, self-glorification), instead living out of a fullness in God. This can include both forsaking bad habits and giving up good things in order to love others. According to this definition, can you think of ways in which Jesus demonstrates perfect self-control?

• Do you want God to help you to grow this Fruit so that you share in Christ’s own self-control? Why do you think self-control is so difficult (or at least seems unpleasant) for people? For yourself in particular? What is a particular area of your life where you can “deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Jesus” for his sake and the Gospel’s? Are there certain freedoms, rights, privileges, preferences, or addictions you could give up in order to minister to others in Christ’s name?

• Considering the Gospel, knowing that God has given his Son Jesus for your eternal life with him… do you have what you need? Is there something you need that you don’t have? Is there something you need that you are afraid you will lose if you follow Jesus in selfless love? Can you imagine the true freedom from addiction to self that Jesus offers? Do you believe that “losing your life” for his sake and the Gospel’s actually means salvation?

• Tim Keller says, “The slightly surprising counterfeit [self-control] is a willpower which is based on pride.” Do you feel good about yourself when you adopt strict routines or adhere to strict regulations? Do you think there is value in “tricking yourself” out of bad habits or addictions, by creating obstacles for yourself or by appealing to motives like fear or pride? Do these routines, regulations, or ruses actually have anything to do with Jesus, the Gospel, or love?