Fruit Full: 100 Family Experiences for Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit

by Christie Thomas

A fun family devotional inspiring children to understand the fruit of the Spirit

It's common for kids to memorize the fruits of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, goodness, self-control, and all the rest. But that doesn't mean they understand what it means. Is peace just not fighting with your siblings? Does self-control mean resisting a second dessert? When Mom and Dad explain these concepts just in terms of morality, we miss the mark.

Christie Thomas is skilled at taking complex ideas and making them accessible to kids . . . and adults learn a lot along the way too. Each of her devotions is designed to help parents connect their children with the Holy Spirit through a Scripture passage, thought-provoking questions, ways to apply each verse, and a prayer. And for each fruit, parents can use the optional hands-on activities when there's extra time.

Perfect for kicking off the New Year as a family, these 100 devotional experiences include illustrated examples of each fruit of the Spirit. They demonstrate the hands, heart, and habits of Jesus and also teach children to spend time with the good God who loves them. By understanding how he covers them with his goodness and how his Spirit helps them grow their own beautiful, Jesus-reflecting character, the whole family will connect to the Vine and grow abundant fruit together.

256 pages, Paperback

First published February 15, 2022

About the author

I'm a mom and writer and have been involved in children’s ministry for most of my life, including working as director of children’s ministry for more than a decade. I live with my husband and three boys in Alberta, Canada.

I have been a family discipleship coach to many parents who need equipping, support, and encouragement. I deeply believe that every Christian parent can confidently nurture deep faith in their kids through little habits that add up over time.

My devotionals and children’s books help parents cultivate faith-filled moments. I'm all about making family faith fun and simple so that your kids love it, and you can feel confident that you're nurturing deep faith roots in your family.

Want to learn more about the person and ministry behind these books? Check out the Little Shoots Deep Roots website, where you will learn to lead your kids spiritually through little faith habits, without feeling like you have to do it all or know it all.

Reviews

[Shonda Knowlton · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite things about this book is the simple, yet engaging way the Fruit of the Spirit is presented to children. I would recommend it for ages 5-12, but could use it for a whole family devotion with multiple ages. Christie Thomas sets forth exactly what the Fruit of the Spirit is and how to have it in our lives. Hint, it's not by working hard at it! She gives 100 devotions to help children learn to abide in Christ and eventually understand that abiding in Christ is the secret to having the Fruit of the Spirit. Each devotion starts with a Bible verse, a relevant story, ways to incorporate into daily life, discussion questions and a prayer. There are 10 devotions for each "fruit": Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-Control. There is list at the beginning of each section with ideas for hands on growth activities: Memorize, Write, Draw, Pray, Research, Imagine, Play, Sing, Ask, and Speak. This is a great guide for kids about Christian living with the Fruit of the Spirit in daily life.

[Michelle Nietert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for families to do together. It would make an easy morning, mealtime or evening read. The lessons are short and we really loved the discussion questions as they allowed us to talk together about how and when we turn to God.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad I was able to get my copy early! I love how this book doesn’t emphasize the fruits of the spirit as characteristics to achieve but as evidence of living a life with Christ. The devotions each have a scripture, short devotion from the author, discussion starter questions, and a prayer. My favorite part is the discussion starter questions because they really help kids think about what they’re learning and put it into practice. Highly recommend this book!

[Chelsea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has been great to read with my kids. There are funny parts to make them laugh, thought provoking discussion starters, and the chapters are short enough to keep their attention. What I love most though is that while the language is at kids level, it’s theologically sound, not watered down or leaving key aspects out. It goes so much deeper than the fruit of the Spirit being some kind of checklist we need to achieve.

[Valerie Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fruit Full is a kid-friendly, Bible-centered way to pursue a healthy, fulfilling spiritual journey as a family.

Don't skip the intro! The author does a great job of explaining how fruit comes from abiding in Christ rather than making a checklist of attributes to attain. Honestly, I felt more grounded and refreshed after reading it. The intro also lays out the approach of the book and discusses all the different ways to use it.

For example, there are optional hands-on activities to mix in as you have time, and a special reading plan your family can use if you want to make this part of your Lenten journey or Easter preparation. I love that!

The author has a knack for taking abstract concepts like the fruit of the Spirit and making them accessible and interesting to kids with devotionals that are the perfect length for short attention spans. I highly recommend this book!

[Belinda Grimbeek · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aaaaaaand she’s done it again!

Sometimes you look at someone in astonishment at what they’re doing and think: “I could never do that!” And you’re right because we’re not meant to live out someone else’s calling. We’ve all got our own gifts and talents and FRUIT to bear. 🍎🍊🥑

That being said, Christie is a machine! She’s able to PRODUCE (see what I’m doing?😊) devotions that are relatable to kids in her own unique style.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Fun and fruity!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Your kids will love this new set of devotions!

#childrensdevotional #kidsdevotional #fruitful #fulloffruit #fruitsofthespirit

[Amanda Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This devotional is wonderful for the whole family . It’s teachable for the younger family members to learn about devotional and how important it is to connect with them daily . The name of the book speaks for its self . Fruits Full !!! The Fruits of the Spirits I would highly recommend this book for parents to share with their child. I was giving a copy from the publisher.

[Nicole Lisa Maria Schrader · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Christie Thomas’ latest release Fruit Full! It’s a wonder resource for Christian families who want to introduce their children to the fruit of the Spirit. Scripture references, fun activities, and prayer examples are just a few of the ways Thomas focuses on love, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control, etc. FruitFull is a must read in our current social climate!

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend this book for families with kids of all ages! We have a 7, 5 and 2 year old - each devotion had questions that were great conversation starters. I can see our family reusing this book as our kids age - good for kids and adults alike!

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

How many family devotionals have you read that have phrases as beautiful as this one?
"God, out of love, sent the Son to free us from our sin so we could join in this dance of love. All you have to do to join is accept that God has given you this gift, and choose to join in the dance!"

If you're like me, not many!

Christie's words are beautiful, theologically deep but accessible for families of all levels! I love Christie's unique blend of humour, personal experience, Scripture & interactivity in each devotional. I would recommend this book to any family that is looking for a devotional experience that will take them deeper into their journey of following Jesus!

[Sonia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a great way to study and discuss the Fruit of the Spirit with kids. The author does a great job of using relatable stories and questions to help apply what was discussed. My family and I are enjoying going through this valuable resource!

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun, special resource for family Bible study. Christie does such a great job of breaking things down so kids can understand them, and the activities and discussion questions are awesome for making things memorable and fun! I am excited to see how this helps many, many families grow in the fruits of the Spirit!

[Shanna Hackett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book as it’s fun and easy to help our kiddos better understand the fruits of the spirit! It’s Hands on too - activities to bring deeper connection and meaning as a family!

[Cindy Munn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the word pictures and analogies right from the get go, from the letter to parents. There is so much wisdom in the concept of this book and so much simplicity in the daily devotions and activities. It's a book that will surely help parents and kids to grow good fruit together as they abide in Christ and nourish themselves with the Spirit. I've only just begun to read it for myself, but I can't wait to dive fully into it as a family. I also LOVE that Christie offers a plan to go through it as a Lent devotional and additional printouts online.

[Glenys Nellist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Using stories from scripture and her own experiences from everyday life, Christie Thomas not only explains the nine fruits of the Spirit in ways that are meaningful and accessible to children but also includes 100 practical ideas for families to participate in together. Fruit Full is a thoroughly easy-to-read, delightful devotional.

[Christie Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might be a little biased as the author, but I still love this book! My kids want to read it again even though I tested all the devotions on them originally, so that tells me it turned out rather well. :)

[Kylie]

I really enjoyed going through this book with my 9, 7 and 4 year olds. The author focuses on bearing fruit through a relationship with Jesus rather than through our own efforts. I would recommend this to an Christian parents wanting to give their children a good grounding in the fruit of the Spirit and draw them into a closer walk with Jesus.

[Stephanie Thurling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! It’s thoughtful, engaging, fun, practical, and simple. I love that Christie provides so many different ways for kids to experience and learn about the Fruit of the Spirit. There is something here for every kid (and adult!) no matter how they learn, what they know, how old they are, or what they enjoy! I can apply this book with my own kids at home and with my Sunday school kids at church!

I received an advance copy from the publisher, but all opinions are my own.

[Brock Eastman · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book for families to engage with each other and the Word of God!

[Melissa Faulkner · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love this book! Fruit Full teaches all about the fruit of the Spirit as the evidence of God's presence working in our lives rather than just as a set of rules to follow. Christie writes in an accessible, child-friendly way that everyone in the family, big and small, can understand, and she invites us in to draw up living water, stay connected to the Vine, and grow in our relationship with Jesus through short devotions that help us understand how this fruit was manifested in Christ's life on earth.

The kids and I have only gone through the first few devotions so far, but I can already see that they're learning, and I'm excited to continue through the book. When asked what they like about the book so far, my 3-year-old said she liked the grapes on the front cover, but my 5-year-old said, "It teaches us about God and how to have a good attitude." When I asked him how we learn to have good attitudes, he told me it's not enough to just want to be good; we have to stay connected to Jesus and pray so that God can help us, so he likes doing our devotions because they help focus us on God. His answer shows me he was definitely paying attention to those first devotions and really understanding what growing in the fruit of the Spirit is all about. Though the short devotions and discussion questions are accessible and understandable to a 5-year-old, they are deep enough to help older kids and adults truly grow in their Christian walks as well.

A few minutes after our devotion today, both of my kids proceeded help me unload the dishwasher, fold an entire stack of laundry on the couch by themselves, take dirty laundry to the washing machine, and clean up part of the floor without being asked. I don't expect that level of extreme helpfulness to show up every day that we read from Fruit Full, but it shows me that God is definitely working in their little hearts.

If you're looking for an easy, accessible devotional to help your family grow in the fruit of the Spirit and in their relationships with God, definitely check this one out. We love it so far, and I'm sure you will too. 😊

[Amanda Trumpower · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was one of the lucky pre-order customers to receive the book early. (Thanks, Amazon!)

By the third paragraph of Christie's letter to parents, I felt like she had sat at my kitchen table and personally witnessed some of the struggles I'd had that day.

By the next page, she flipped my thinking about the fruits of the spirit. Of COURSE the fruits are a by-product, not an action. How had I never thought about it that way before? And of course having my kids fall more in love with God is the best way (the only way!) they will look more like Him...not by "trying to love harder" or "trying to be create more patience"...whatever that means.

Having reminded me the key to spiritual fruit is a deeper relationship with God, she then gave me 100 activities of concise, insightful, accessible devotions to do just that with my kids.

What a wonderful book. Highly recommend to any young family trying to build a solid spiritual foundation rooted in a relationship with God. Thank you so much, Christie!

[Deb Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

My children are 21, 18, and 14. So why would I pick up a book geared to younger families? It’s simple. I am often asked for recommendations of books that help build faith of children and I want to encourage them.

I remember as a mom to younger children how I sought practical books that allowed me to engage my children in knowing and loving Jesus. I was always looking for something that was engaging and filled with truth. This is the book I was looking for all those years.

One of my favorite things about Fruit Full is that the Fruit of the Spirit is not treated like a check list. The different devotions are engaging and create an environment where children can truly get to know God and His character.

This is a book I will recommend to all the moms I know looking to create a family devotion time that truly helps build a solid spiritual foundation.

[Rachel Rector · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always wanted a resource for teaching my children the fruit of the spirit because it is an abstract topic. However, I never could find anything that paired well with the Bible to teach this without being confusing. Then, this book came along and boy it didn't disappoint! My children really enjoy it even my 7 year old boy who gets easily distracted by other devotionals! The author Christie Thomas shares applicable real life experiences, scripture reading, extension activities and great graphics for children to comprehend this more! It gets 5 stars from our house (and that says something with 6 different people in our home)! I definitely recommend it for anyone who has school aged children and above!

[Valerie Fentress · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so well thought out. With Hands-on activities you can tailor to your kids’ learning styles and attention spans, as well as great discussion questions, this is a must-have family devotional. Christie walks slowly through each Fruit of the Spirit laid out in Galatians 5:22-23. Giving you and your family the time an attention each of these abstract ideas and feelings need to grab a firm understanding of these biblical truths.

I am so impressed with the combination of simplicity and depth; Christie has put together so that family with any age kids will glean truth from it’s pages.
And this is with just me reading through it, but I am looking forward to sharing such wisdom with the kiddos at our house soon.

[Tama Fortner · Rating 5 out of 5]

So often, I find it is a struggle to make abstract, spiritual concepts real and relatable to kids. But Christie Thomas has done exactly that in Fruit Full: 100 Family Experiences for Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit. By combining Bible stories with some of her own personal adventures, Thomas has created a resource that is both biblically sound and fun to read. She goes beyond explanations to encourage children to look for the Spirit’s fruits in their own lives, as well as to seek a deeper connection with Christ. With just the right amount of humor to keep kids engaged, Fruit Full is sure to be a sweet experience for your family’s devotion time.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fruit Full has opened our eyes to new ways of living out the fruits of the spirit in our lives. As a family of 6, it is not easy to find a devotional that engages everyone, let alone find a devotional that we all learn new things from.

I love the discussion starter questions at the end to help get my kids thinking and sharing their thoughts. It’s been fun bringing Fruit Full into our family’s faith life. Highly recommend!

[Erin Greneaux · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic devotional! It is written with kids in mind using examples and language that is relevant and entertaining while also packing in so much Biblical wisdom in a non-preachy way. Most family devotionals are either meant more for kids or parents, but this one has a great balance. I found myself learning deeper truths about the fruit of the spirit right alongside my children. Highly recommend!!!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kids are lower elementary age and this devotional is accessible for them! But, it would be perfect for multi-age families - I am gaining a lot from it as an adult too. The way the Fruit of the Spirit is talked about is not as a to-do list but instead focuses on Christ and growing in Him and understanding His character. The kids are all enjoying it so far.

[Melanie Salte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christie does an exceptional job drawing kids of all ages into real relationship with Jesus. The discussion starters truly began meaningful and transformative conversations for me and my kids. I so appreciate the humor Christie puts in the mix as well!

[Adina Wittenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christie Thomas has an amazing insight into bringing bible verses alive for children at a younger age!
She has a few books published and in circulation on amazon, and other suppliers.