Transformational Life: Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit in You

By Randell Turner PhD

Think about the blessings that came when we accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, when our relationship with our heavenly Father was restored. Arguably the most significant is God’s gift of His Holy Spirit, dwelling within us and transforming us more and more into the image of Jesus. The Spirit starts the process of developing within us a new heart, mind, and spirit.
Transformational Life presents a ten-week study on the process of dependently abiding in Christ in a way that enables us to bear the fruit of the Spirit through God’s transformative pruning process. This is not a one-and-done event; abiding in Christ and bearing fruit are lifelong processes, and they transform us, like nothing else, into the men and women God created us to be. As your Father, the Gardener, prunes your heart, mind, and spirit, you cultivate the fruit of the Spirit in greater abundance.
The blessing of the indwelling Spirit can be truly transformational as we learn how to love, live, and lead with our new heart, mind, and spirit.

• Language: English
• Publisher: LifeRich Publishing
• Release date: Feb 25, 2021
• ISBN: 9781489733672

Randell Turner PhD

Randell Turner, PhD, is an author, counselor, and pioneer in the men’s and fatherhood movement. He has developed award-winning resources for the National Center for Fathering, the National Fatherhood Initiative, Prison Fellowship, and Fatherhood.gov. His personal and professional experience inspired the creation of “Rescuing the Rogue,” a study that equips men to forge intimate relationships that last a lifetime. Randell is the father of two and blessed grandfather of seven.

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Copyright © 2021 Randell Turner, PhD.

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Unless otherwise indicated all scripture quotations are from Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked EVS are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version ® (EVS). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. Website.

ISBN: 978-1-4897-3362-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4897-3367-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021901931

LifeRich Publishing rev. date: 02/09/2021

CONTENTS

Acknowledgments

Introduction

About This Study Guide

Leading a Transformational Life Group

The Fruit of the Spirit: Ready for an Overhaul?

Love: Receiving and Extending God’s Agape Love

Joy: Enduring Despite Life Circumstances

Peace: In the Storm, Not Spared the Storm

Patience: Wisely Waiting on God

Kindness: Putting God’s Love into Action

Goodness: A Reflection of God’s Character

Faithfulness: Remaining True to the Light of This World

Gentleness: Strength Yielded and Under Control

Self-Control: Knowing When to Say Yes and When to Say No

The Transformational Life: Final Thoughts

Sources & References

About the Author

NOTE: All scripture references herein are from the New International Version (NIV) translation of the Bible, unless otherwise noted.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

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My heartfelt thanks to Ash Narayan, for his tireless dedication to this project. His theological giftedness, research and writing skills are evident throughout the book. Our collaboration was fun and exciting.

We are grateful to the Rescuing the Rogue leadership team of Paul Danison, Rob Maroney and Dan Smith for their wisdom that enabled us to map out the vision for this book. A special thanks to Paul for his editorial skills that always makes our work better.

Our deepest appreciation to Tim Lukei the Men’s Pastor at Mariners Church in Irvine, CA. When the COVID 19 pandemic began to shut down most of the country in March 2020, Tim tasked us with developing a group study curriculum to help his men stay spiritually grounded. We recruited a few experienced leaders, most notably Frank Casco, Henry Kim, Sam Peterson and Sean Stier, who during the pandemic faithfully led men through Zoom meetings of the initial draft of Transformational Life. Tim’s vision, the leadership of these men and the platform of Mariners Church all made this book possible.

Our heartfelt gratitude to Paul Wozniak, Chelsea Wozniak, and Lisa Guest of CRUX Press for their thoughtful support of our project. You offered us tremendous suggestions that improved the quality of Transformational Life.

I would also like to thank my family who were my sounding board, providing me with valuable feedback and input: Hilary and Jared Furnish, Alison and Rob Amelse and Rick and Anita Turner.

To the team at Life Rich, thanks for bringing your incredible talents to this finished product.

Finally, we thank our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for his grace, mercies and daily blessings including this book. All the glory to Him. Amen.

INTRODUCTION

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The Gardener’s Pruning

What comes to mind when you think of fruit?

Cherries are my favorite, but not just any cherries. I love the tart cherries grown in the orchards along Michigan’s western shore, the Grand Traverse Bay area, my old stomping grounds. And my favorite way to eat cherries is baked in a pie with a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream on top.

In John 15, though, Jesus wasn’t thinking about cherries—or apples or bananas or pomegranates—when He said, "I am