The Fruit of the Spirit for Kids: Teaching Christian Character Through God's Fruitful Princesses

How do you teach young girls about the fruit of the Spirit in a way that truly captures their hearts? As a Christian parent or educator, you want tools that bring biblical virtues to life for children. That's exactly why I created "God's Fruitful Princesses"—a children's book that transforms Galatians 5:22-23 into an engaging, memorable journey for young hearts.

If you're looking for Christian princess books that teach biblical values, God's Fruitful Princesses combines the magic of princess stories with the transformative power of Scripture.

Each princess in God's Fruitful Princesses has her own special poem and personality that helps girls remember these important lessons. Meet them all in this award-winning book!

What Is the Fruit of the Spirit?

The fruit of the Spirit are gifts God gives His children to help us grow and become more like Jesus. Found in Galatians 5:22-23, these nine beautiful virtues—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—aren't just abstract concepts. They're living qualities that the Holy Spirit cultivates in believers' lives.

When we accept Jesus into our hearts and make Him Lord of our lives, God plants these fruitful seeds that begin to grow inside of us. These gifts help us live a life by the Spirit, following God's desires rather than our own.

Illustration Copyright ©Mistie House

Why Teaching the Fruit of the Spirit Matters for Children

"Each tree is recognized by its own fruit" (Luke 6:44 NIV). The Bible teaches that every healthy tree bears good fruit, while a sick tree bears bad fruit. As Christian parents and teachers, we want to raise children who are like healthy trees—growing in the fruit of the Spirit and sharing good fruit with everyone around them.

When people see good fruit in our children's lives, they catch a glimpse of who Jesus is. When God and others look at their lives, they should see love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control flourishing beautifully.

The Nine Fruits of the Spirit Explained for Children

Children will meet all 9 princesses, each representing a fruit of the Spirit. Illustration Copyright ©Mistie House

1. Love: The Foundation of All Fruit

Love is the first fruit mentioned, and for good reason. Loving others can be challenging, especially when someone hurts your feelings or makes you angry. That's precisely why we need God's help to live a life that pleases Him.

The Bible says God is love (1 John 4:8). One powerful way to share God's love is to forgive others because God loves us and has forgiven us. The Holy Spirit is our helper in learning to love the way Jesus loves.

2. Joy: More Than Just Happiness

Experiencing joy isn't the same as being happy. Joy comes from the Lord, and we can receive joy and express it no matter what is happening around us. Psalm 16:11 reminds us that in God's presence there is fullness of joy, and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Children need to understand that joy is a gift that doesn't depend on circumstances but flows from their relationship with Jesus.

3. Peace: Trusting Jesus in Every Situation

Sometimes things occur in our lives that can feel scary. But God doesn't want us to worry or be afraid. The Bible teaches that we experience peace when we focus on Jesus—the Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 26:3 promises that God will keep us in perfect peace if our mind is stayed on Him. Teaching children to turn their fears over to Jesus helps them experience this supernatural peace.

4. Patience: Waiting Confidently on God

Waiting can be hard for children, especially when they're looking forward to something exciting or when they're hurting and can't wait to feel better. The Bible teaches us to be patient when trouble comes, to be happy in hope, and not to let anything stop us from praying.

Romans 8:25 (NLT) encourages us: "But if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently."

5. Kindness: Choosing to Love Others

God wants His children to be friendly and care about the feelings of others. We can't control what people say or do to us, but we can control how we respond and treat them. Choose kindness!

Ephesians 4:32 instructs us to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave us. This means treating others the way we want to be treated.

6. Goodness: Doing Good from the Inside Out

Goodness involves what we do on the outside and who we are on the inside. We can do good things for people—donating clothes or giving food to people in need. We can also share the goodness in our hearts by showing good moral character—telling the truth, obeying our parents, and hating what is evil.

Galatians 6:10 encourages us to do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

7. Faithfulness: Becoming Loyal Followers

The Bible teaches that the Lord protects those who are faithful—His loyal followers, His godly ones. God is faithful, and we can be faithful too. As children learn more about their King and read their Bibles, their faith will grow as they spend time with the One who is faithful.

8. Gentleness: Strength Under Control

Gentleness is not weakness—it's showing the ability to respond to others with humility. An example of gentleness is showing respect for your parents by refusing to argue when told to clean your room.

The Bible teaches us to speak evil of no one, to avoid arguing, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy and politeness toward all people (Titus 3:2, adapted).

9. Self-Control: God's Power in Us

Self-control is having the power to remain in control over your emotions and actions, even when it's difficult. Self-control chooses God's desires instead of giving in to our feelings.

2 Timothy 1:7 reminds us: "For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." This fruit is especially important as children learn to manage their emotions and reactions.

How to Teach the Fruit of the Spirit to Young Girls

Making biblical concepts accessible to children requires creativity and engagement. Here are effective ways to help young girls understand and embrace the fruit of the Spirit:

1. Use Visual Aids and Stories: Children learn through images and narratives. Picture books that feature relatable characters help make abstract concepts concrete.

2. Make It Interactive: Encourage children to identify the fruits in their own lives and in others. Ask questions like "How can you show God's goodness to people today?"

3. Connect to Scripture: Always point back to God's Word. Memorizing key verses about each fruit helps children internalize these truths.

4. Model the Fruit: Children learn by watching adults. Demonstrate love, patience, kindness, and the other fruits in your daily interactions.

5. Pray Together: Invite children to ask God for His gifts of the Spirit. Prayer reinforces that these virtues come from Him, not from our own strength.

Growing Beautiful Fruit: A Journey, Not a Destination

God's princesses are fruitful and beautiful because God's Spirit lives in them and shines through them. God sent His Son, Jesus, to teach us how to be fruitful. As we read our Bibles, we get a picture of what our beautiful fruit should look like when it's mature in us.

Matthew 5:16 reminds us: "In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Every little girl can be God's fruitful princess. When children understand that these gifts come from God and help them become more like Jesus, they're empowered to SHINE beautifully and help others know Jesus through them.

Resources for Teaching Christian Character to Children

If you're looking for tools to teach young girls about Christian character in a way that captures their imaginations, "God's Fruitful Princesses" delivers that message and more. This 2024 Christlit Book Award winner uses vibrant illustrations and engaging princess characters to bring each fruit of the Spirit to life.

Through heartwarming text and powerful biblical teachings, little girls will be inspired to share God's fruitful gifts with the world around them. It's perfect for family devotions, bedtime reading, Sunday school lessons, or as a meaningful gift for birthdays, baptisms, or any special occasion.

Check out God's Fruitful Princesses on Amazon!

Amazon.com: God's Fruitful Princesses: A Christian Princess Book for Girls about the Fruit of the Spirit (God's princess book for girls, Fruits of the Spirit kids book, Christian stories children): 9798986507965: House, Mistie, House, Mistie: Books

Teaching children about the fruit of the Spirit is one of the most important gifts we can give them. 

These nine virtues become the foundation for godly character that will serve them throughout their lives. By making these biblical truths accessible and engaging, we help the next generation of believers grow strong roots in their faith and bear beautiful fruit that points others to Jesus.

What fruit of the Spirit do you want to help your child develop most? Start the conversation today and watch God's beautiful gifts flourish in their hearts.

Visit Mistie’s Amazon Author Page Link to learn about all of her Christian books: https://www.amazon.com/author/mistiehouse