Fruitful: Cultivating a Spiritual Harvest That Won't Leave You Empty

by Megan Hill (Editor), Lydia Brownback (contributor), Courtney Doctor (Contributor)

A Devotional for Harvesting God-Given Spiritual Fruits  As Christians, we long for a spiritually fruitful life. However, our attempts to work more and hustle harder only leave us feeling weary and worn. Thankfully, God’s word supplies the nourishment we so desperately need. As we abide in Jesus, he fills our emptiness with an abundant crop of spiritual fruit. Through the trusted voices of several female bestselling authors, editors, and Bible teachers, this 40-day devotional explores each of the 9 fruits of the Spirit found in Galatians 5. Every daily reading includes a related verse to ponder, a theologically rich reflection, additional Bible passages to read, and a prayer. This short format provides readers with an easy-to-use devotional resource, filled with substantial biblical counsel for harvesting God-given spiritual fruit. 

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Devotional, Christian Living, Faith, Christian Non Fiction

216 pages, Paperback

Published May 7, 2024

About the author

Megan Hill is a pastor’s wife and a pastor’s daughter who has spent her life praying with others. She serves on the editorial board for Christianity Today and is a regular contributor to Her.meneutics and the Gospel Coalition.

Reviews

[Amanda (The Little Book Spot) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 40 day study on the Fruits of the Spirit is the perfect in depth devotional for the woman who longs to deepen her love and trust for God and grow in spiritual fruitfulness. As we grow and mature in our relationship with Christ, the fruits of the spirit are the evidences of our becoming more like Him.

What to expect: Broken up into 9 sections (one for each fruit), the devotions are around 3 pages long, feature Scriptures to read beforehand and conclude with a place to respond and request (a prayer to follow). Cleverly, at the end of each FOS section there is an easy to follow, fruit based recipe. 🥧 Yum! My daughter and I plan to make the blueberry cobbler today. Such a fun way to break up the sections!

What I really loved: This devotional is rich with Scripture, yet it is not light and fluffy as some women’s studies can be. At the same time, the lessons are short enough to not feel overly lengthy while reading. I also enjoyed that it is written by various women Bible teachers and authors— making the devotions diverse and engaging.

Overall I really loved this book! It was timely and helped me grow in my personal devotional time with the Lord. I loved digging into the Word in this area and challenging myself with the response sections.

This study took what I knew about the FOS and moved it to a richer and more abundant path of understanding! I would without hesitation gift this to any of the women I know in my life. Can used be alone as I did or with a group for even further study.

Thank you @crossway for my #gifted copy!

[Paris (parismaereads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨ Book Review ✨

Fruitful: Cultivating a Spiritual Harvest That Won’t Leave You Empty
edited by Megan Hill & Melissa B. Kruger

My Quick Takes:
- 5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- 40 devotionals
- Covers all 9 fruits of the spirit with multiple entries for each
- An amazing conglomerate of authors penned each devotional: Melissa Kruger, Abbey Wedgeworth, Lydia Brownback, Courtney Doctor, Megan Hill, Winfree Brisley, Lindsey Carlson, Blair Linne, Trillia Newbell, and Sharonda Cooper.

A 40 day study on the fruits of the spirit, Fruitful left my soul nourished and convicted. Each entry focused on a passage of scripture and asks readers to Reflect, Respond, and Request. Additionally, there are fun recipes sprinkled in between sections to break up the study! The entries are short and easy to add into a reading plan, I especially loved the section on Peace.

I’ve unintentionally focused the majority of my time in the word this year on prayer. Each study I’ve picked up has a prayer element and I’m quickly changing how I spend time in the word and can pray the scripture I’m reading. Each devotional in Fruitful has a written prayer in the Request section and the majority of those prayers found their way written into the margins of my Bible.

If you’re looking for spiritual growth and practical ways to cultivate the fruit of the spirit in your day to day life, pick up a copy of Fruitful.

Thank you to Crossway for my copy!

[Chace Henke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful and approachable study for a small group of women. Reading it together was an absolute treat this summer!

[Blair Beaulieu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am typically pretty skeptical about daily devotions and particularly those written by women. For some reason I find that they often gloss over real life and paint Christian living as a simplicity for the blonde and blued eyed woman. However, this one I found contrary to my assumption. While the study analyzed topics with gentleness, I found its approach to calling out sin and growing in personal spiritual fruit to be encouraging. There is also something so sweet about gleaning from the intellectual maturity of older women. I found this study very practical for a season I was looking to grow deep in faith but had limited time to engage in a length devotional.

[Renee Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t typically prefer devotionals, as I find that they tend to replace the reader’s time in God’s word. However, this collection of devotionals written by various women acts as a perfect supplement to your daily time in God’s word and never suggests being a replacement.

These meditations look at the fruits of the Spirit. The authors are committed to the supremacy of Christ and the Spirit’s growing the fruits as we walk in obedience to God’s commandments. Some times the fruits of the Spirit can be difficult to define and hard to differentiate because they overlap so much, yet these authors provide tangible examples from scripture of the fruits, as well as real-life application. Goodness perhaps was my favorite fruit outlined because I think it’s goodness that might be the most overlooked and misunderstood fruit. Many of the fruits were viewed through a lens of everyday struggles and sufferings, which was so refreshing and relatable. This book gave me much to meditate on throughout the time spent with it.

This would be a great book for a new believer because it provides a framework for meditation, reflection, and prayer, but it would also be an edifying book for any believing women interested in cultivating gospel fruit in their own lives as they walk this long, sanctifying road to eternity.

[Tara-Lee Oostenbrug · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listened to the audiobook on Libby :) Loved this devotional! Short, easy to listen to chapters. Would be worth buying and going through for quiet time devotions as each chapter ends with suggested reading, reflection questions and prayer!

[Lydia · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In a world that tells us our best days are behind us, the hope of knowing Christ reminds us that the best is yet to come. We have bright hope for tomorrow.”

[Gabrielle Houweling · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this daily "devotional". It was encouraging, practical and easy to read

[Lindsey Schubert · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book slowly this summer while my husband was on sabbatical and we had a rest from church responsibilities for a little while. It’s been a great reminder (many great reminders) of what fruitfulness actually is according to Scripture. Praying I can carry this perspective with me as we step back into ministry duties soon.

[Liv]

I'm not quite sure how to do a devotional well. And I'm not quite sure the extent to which this needed to be gendered, about being a good 'woman'? But I do like the cover.

[Amanda E. (aebooksandwords) · Rating 4 out of 5]

How do we measure success in this life? And how do we walk out success as God defines it? It is by pursuing a life that is fruitful with God’s help.

“The Bible doesn’t give us a message of work harder, do better. It gives us a message of dependence on Jesus… We flourish not by our own achievements, but by abiding in Jesus.”

This 40-day women’s devotional explores how to pursue a fruitful life by building the fruit of the Spirit from Galatians 5: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

In each reflection, readers will find encouraging biblical counsel paired with Scripture, a reflection question, and a prayer. The book also includes nine recipes featuring actual fruit that your tastebuds can savor such as Farmstand Blueberry Cobbler, Raspberry Sorbet, and Apple Breakfast Grain Bowl. Yum! 😋

Contributors include:

• Melissa Kruger
• Abbey Wedgeworth
• Lydia Brownback
• Courtney Doctor
• Megan Hill
• Winfree Brisley
• Lindsey Carlson
• Blair Linne
• Trillia Newbell
• Sharonda Cooper

Highlights:

“A beach house in Hawaii isn’t enough to satisfy a thirsty soul.”

“As we walk by his Spirit, he teaches us more about himself and then produces fruit that reflects Jesus in our lives.”

“…God wanted no less from me than I wanted from her—to trust him and move forward in peace.”

“Only God is stronger than anything in this life. Only God is wise enough to see you through. Only God is able to hold you no matter what threatens to undo you. Only God can keep you in perfect peace.”

“Aren’t we glad God didn’t treat us as our sins deserved? We should do likewise. God doesn’t ignore our sin. Neither should we ignore our neighbor’s sin. But if we understand the depths of sin that we have been forgiven, we will restore our neighbor with gentleness and humility.”

Thank you to the publisher for gifting me a copy of this book. I am leaving this review voluntarily and was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions are my own.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The devotional book is written by a few different women about the Fruits of the Spirit. This devotional is laid out for 40 days of reading. You could also read it over 9 weeks with a 4-day reading plan, focusing on one fruit each week.

The ladies that wrote the devotional are well-known theology sound women. I am familiar with Melissa Kruger, Lydia Brownback, Abbey Wedgeworth, Courtney Doctor, as I have read some of their books they have written. There are a few others ladies that write and some great quotes from theologians too! In the book, the ladies share a favorite recipe of their, so that is a little bonus, some yummy desserts!

I really liked the layout. Short daily devotion with Scripture, respond, and prayer section. The respond section includes questions for you to take the reading lesson deeper. You will learn more about how the Bible defines each fruit and also what Jesus showed us and how we should live it out. Also, I could see using this book in a small group. Which is something I am interested in doing!

Here are a few quotes:

The Bible doesn’t give us a message of work harder, do better. It gives us a message of dependence on Jesus.
What we need more than podcasts and seminars that offer us ten tips to a better spiritual life (helpful as they might be) is simply to make the Lord the center of everything, to anchor our priorities, plans, and purposes in His ways and Words.
Spirit-produced faithfulness looks like fighting to prioritize time in the Word during a busy season.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fruitful is a collection of forty short devotional thoughts centered around the fruits of the Spirit. The book has nine sections (one for each fruit), and each section concludes with a fruit-based recipe.

Each devotional is three pages long, so it is very quick and easy to read. It contains a short Bible reading (one or two verses) and a reflection from one of the authors (all notable female authors, editors, and/or Bible teachers). Then, each day’s reading wraps up with a directed response, typically a second Scripture reading and reflective question about application, and ends with a prayer.

Easily, one of the best aspects of this book is that, while it follows a devotional format, it consistently remains grounded in scripture. Each reflection contains multiple, clear connections to where the author draws ideas from and provides references to each. Many devotional books offer scant Bible reading or connection to the biblical text beyond a vaguely connected passage, which was refreshing to see.

Overall, this is a series of short, thoughtful devotionals that thankfully encourage more exploration of the themes and introspective reflection on the biblical text.

[Katie Efird · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fruitful, edited by Megan Hill and Melissa Kruger, is a collection of devotions written by various authors on the fruit of the Spirit. As with any book that brings together multiple voices, there were some entries that resonated with me deeply and others that didn’t connect as much. Overall, though, I found it both convicting and encouraging. It challenged me in areas of my spiritual walk while also pointing me to God’s grace and growth in Christ. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a devotional that is both accessible and rooted in Scripture.

[Lianna Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice treatment of the fruits of the Spirit. While helpful overall, little especially stood out to me. At times, the calls to display the fruits of the Spirit came across a bit scolding (or moralistic)—though perhaps that’s too strong a word, and others may not feel the same. My favorite sections were those that lifted my gaze to Christ: beholding His perfection, seeing how He fills me, and then realizing how that fullness gives me a greater capacity to bear fruit in relationship with others.

[Becky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good. It is 40 days on the fruits of the Spirit, written by a variety of authors, most of whom I know and trust. Each chapter is a devotional; it is short, but packed and gets you thinking about that fruit of the Spirit. There are also questions and a prayer at the end of each chapter. I read this in my daily devotions; it was easy to read one chapter a day, but it could easily lend to being a good women's Bible study. There are also recipes interspersed throughout!

[Brittney Beaulieu · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this devotional in addition to my bible reading this summer. It is a great study with biblical references and real life applications to get you thinking and remind you of the truths of the fruits of the spirits. This devotional has the main purpose of pointing us back to Christ is our daily lives. I would definitely recommend!

[Gloria Hettinga · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this devotional! I felt like it dove into each of the fruits of the Spirit in a way that was deeper, refreshing, and very applicable to real life. I would read this every year. Also - the prayers included at the end of the chapter are so great!

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

40 days through the fruit of the spirit with different authors. I usually don't like this format, but the content was so good, plus bonus recipes!!!! ❤️

[Leann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great devotional on the Fruit of the Spirit and there are recipes, too. I really enjoyed this one!

[Bria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Top tier! I’m usually not a fan of devos but this was so good

[Anna Douglas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will definitely read again! A great book!

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like a tree planted by streams of water bearing good fruit. Fruitful was a sweet 40 day study focused on living life a life that bears good fruit.

[Lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

concise and very helpful for self-reflection and to inspire real action.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this devotional! One of my favorites! Really enjoyed the layout. It’s separated by the fruits of the spirit. Also, has some fun recipes.

[Shofam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This spring release from The Gospel Coalition was chosen as our church's women's ministry summer Bible study. This 40 day devotional (plus some recipes to boot) through the fruit of the Spirit has a number of newer contributors, one for each aspect of the fruit. So, each aspect gets four days, all of which are written by the same author, which helped bring continuity. Each followed a progression of thought from a Biblical definition to Jesus's display of that aspect, to what it means for the reader to cultivate it in our own souls, to ramifications in our relationships with others.

I found this to be a really straightforward exploration of the fruit of the Spirit, and while a light lift - only about three pages per day - really dug down deep, pulling in other passages of Scripture, thoughtful quotes, and helpful responses, questions, and prayers. I would recommend this to any woman looking for a devotional that is easy on time but avoids the fluffy surface-level emotive stuff of many women's devotionals.

Oh, Lord, I want to be a woman who bears an increasing harvest of fruit with each passing year. Plant me in your house and let me flourish in your courts. Thank you for making me righteous in Christ and giving me a home with your people. Bless me, that I might be a blessing to others all the days of my life.

[Caroline McGill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m not usually one to enjoy collaborative books like this by women because they can be fluffy, but this was far from it. It was solid, helpful, deeply theological, and not to mention the cover is beautiful. It reminded me of the 31 day Biblical Counseling devotionals, but on the fruit of the Spirit.

[Lynette Karg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written to use as a devotional with contributions from a variety of authors on each of the different character qualities that make up the fruit of the spirit. Each author has a unique voice and there are many practical applications to draw from here.