Tending the Wild Garden

Tending the Wild Garden

Growing in the Fruit of the Spirit

Eugenia Anne Gamble
Westminster John Knox Press, 2024
ISBN 9780664268602

Softcover, 200 pp.
5.5 X 8.5 X 0.49 inches | 0.61 pounds

In a world fixated on outward appearances, discover the joy of cultivating an inward relationship with the Spirit, where virtues like love, joy, and self-control blossom naturally.

"The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." - Galatians 5:22-23a

The apostle Paul paints a beautiful picture when he describes the fruit of the Spirit but all too often, we reduce this list of virtues into a checklist of attributes to pursue and strive for. However, pastor and author Eugenia Gamble contends that this understanding is backwards. The Holy Spirit is the One who grows and develops those attributes within us as we pursue our relationship with God. By tending that relationship, the virtues of God develop and blossom as a fruit grows on a well-tended tree.

Tending the Wild Garden explores the true meaning behind each of the virtues in Paul's list, guiding us to discover anew what it means to be a deeply loved child of God indwelt by God's Spirit. Gamble helps us to move beyond the checklist mentality of traditional understandings of the fruit of the Spirit, to cultivate our relationship with God, and to uproot the "weeds" that could threaten the flourishing of the fruit in our lives.

Key Features of this Bible Study:

Ten Chapters/Sessions introduce the garden and explore each of the nine aspects of the fruit of the SpiritSix daily devotions in each chapter with daily Scripture, reflections, and spiritual practicesQuestions for personal and group discussion

Let the fruit of the Spirit be more than just words on a page-they're the living expressions of God's love within you. Dare to cultivate a life overflowing with love, joy, peace, and so much more.