God’s call to follow is an invitation to freedom. This is freedom to revel in the Spirit’s fruits: love, joy, peace, patience. This is the path of life.
* What do you think Paul means by the “yoke of slavery”?
* How does Paul define “freedom” in verse 13?
* How would you express the message of verses 16-21 in your own words? How does verse 18 express Paul’s meaning for “freedom”?
* Paul says that we are to live by the Spirit and its fruit. For which spiritual fruit do you most often pray?
* What would daily life be like if we were to allow such fruit to guide us?
Forgive me when I use my freedom to be self-indulgent, instead of loving others.
If we live by the Spirit: Let us also be guided by the Spirit.
"Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head." In your devotion times this week, think of the people around the world who do not have homes where they may live. Some homes have been lost by disaster or conflict. Some folks cannot afford shelter. Include these people in your prayers throughout the week.
One of the gifts of the Spirit is generosity. Decide on a food item or recreational activity (e.g. mid-morning pop or movie outing) to forgo this week. Set aside the money saved to donate to the ELCA Hunger Fund – next Sunday is loose change Sunday.