BEARING FRUIT by pastor Robby Gallaty is part of a trio of books by books published by B&H Publishing Group on the topic of discipleship (the other two titles being Growing Up and Firmly Planted --- also published by B&H Publishing). This particular title focuses on the fruit of the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:22,23. But rather than an in-depth exposition of each of the fruits mentioned in that passage, Gallaty probes a more extensive exposition of the allegory of fruit as compared to the evidences of the life of God that should be evident in the lives of Christians.

The author wants to show that sanctification --- the process on Earth where the believer cooperates with the action and leading of the Holy Spirit to become more like Christ --- is a natural growth function of life as a new creature in Christ. Just as a human baby would be treated as ill and nutritionally comprised if he did not learn to eat and digest adult food, and to grow physically, emotionally and mentally; so too a Christian is expected to display spiritual maturity and the evident inner changes wrought by the Holy Spirit as time goes on. As Gallaty writes, "Believers are expected to sanctify themselves in the Lord through the strength and power of the Spirit within each of us. We walk in the Spirit…when we allow God to work in us and to work through us." And the evidences of that work and sanctification [growth] are the fruits of character and attitude called the "fruits of the Spirit" in Galatians 5.

The author makes a very good point in showing that the term "fruit" is actually used in several places in the New Testament outside of the passage in Galatians, and so a number of chapters are taken up with examining those passages and their meaning to the overall topic of spiritual growth and sanctification. After delving into a thorough explanation of the idea of abiding in Christ, the next chapters look at fruits of repentance, ministry, sanctification, righteousness, good works, love-joy-peace and others in Galatians 5; and finally, the fruit of praise. Writing in a clear and humble manner, Gallaty displays keen insights into both human behavior and psychology, as well as the truths of Scripture and church history to encourage believers to pursue a lifetime and lifestyle of growth by learning to yield to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and keep in step with Him on a daily basis. A quick read, but with much spiritual nourishment to be gained in less than 200 pages. Recommended especially for lay leaders and those who wish to become "disciples who make disciples."

Bearing Fruit: What Happens When God’s People Grow is the latest book by author/pastor Robby Gallaty. Robby is the Senior Pastor of Long Holly Baptist Church in Hendersonville, TN and has become a leading voice for discipleship within Christian circles. This book is the third and final book in a series which began in 2013 with Growing Up: How to Be a Disciple Who Makes Disciples followed by Firmly Planted: How to Cultivate a Faith Rooted in Christ in 2015.
In Bearing Fruit, the author attempts to work through the concept of sanctification, defined by Gallaty as the “process whereby Christ lives His life through us.” He states that the entire process is God’s doing from start to finish but when it happens, God brings forth fruit. All of us should strive to be fruit bearers.
But what is that fruit? That is the question that Gallaty attempts to explore in this book by going to the seven places in the New Testament where the word “fruit” is located. He then explores the following: The Fruit of Repentance, Fruit of Ministry; Fruit of Sanctification, Fruit of Righteousness; Fruit of Good Works; The Fruit of the Spirit; and The Fruit of Praise.
I found this book to be a powerful read, especially when you put it up aside the other books in this series. This will be an excellent discipleship tool that can be used in a small discipleship group setting. It would be helpful to go through this book with what Gallaty has called a “D-Group: a gender-exclusive, closed group of three to six people who meet weekly. He does a great job of really going deep in each of these areas. If you are like me, you will be underlining quotes along the way. This book is full of repeatable material that can benefit believers in their walk with Christ.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

We all want to grow in maturity and fruitfulness. The question many would ask is how? What is fruitfulness? What are the impediments of such fruitful works? Making a distinction between one's status (unchanging) and one's standing (varies), we could navigate appropriately the constant tensions between being saved and the levels of our good works. The author believes that true believers will bear fruit. Based on John 15, he identifies seven places in the New Testament that contain the word 'fruit.' He describes it as follows:

The Fruit of Repentance (John 15:1)
The Fruit of Ministry (Romans 1)
The Fruit of Sanctification (Romans 6)
The Fruit of Righteousness (Philippians 1:9-11)
The Fruit of Good Works (Colossians 1:11-12)
The Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17)
The Fruit of Praise

In Repentance, we learn about what it means to abide in Christ, depending on Jesus to help us grow by letting him tend us, nurture us, and prune us. He concludes with a comparison of Martha and Mary, urging us to live like Mary in terms of allowing God to work. Bearing fruit goes beyond mere believing toward ministry and comes through as burdens for God's ministry to people. It means recognizing the sin in us and taking steps toward escaping sin. This is well described in a powerful Warren Wiersbe quote: "The answer to the problem of sin is not simply determination, discipline, reformation, legislation, or any other human endeavor. Victory comes through crucifixion and resurrection." For one to bear fruit on all cylinders, the barrier of sin has to be overcome. Gradually, we move forward and here, Gallaty hones on a common cliche which has prevented people from growing. People often advised having consistent prayer time, Bible reading, and so on. The sad reality is that the advice are not often taken to heart. As a result, people don't grow. The key reason is a lack of direction and purpose. Growing is simply a direction closer toward God in maturity. A mature believer will live out works of righteousness not because he has to, but because he wants to. Moving deeper, Gallaty highlights the fruit of good works through perseverance and patient endurance. A key thought is the difference between taking things for granted vs taking things with gratitude. It is the latter that shines forth with spiritual fruit. The author goes on to compare and contrast the spiritual fruit vs vice in Galatians 5, reminding us that bearing fruit is a slow growing process. This is so true in an age of instant results and quick expectations. He writes: "The slowest-growing trees sometimes bear the sweetest fruit." I concur. That is perhaps a major reason why the Bible describe the need to abide in Christ. It is not a question of whether we can do it fast or slow, to bear fruit well or not. It is a question of abiding in God, trusting in God's timing to sow, plant, water, and tend, while waiting for fruition. The climax of all fruitfulness is praise and worship.


This is the third installment of a series that addresses the spiritual phases of a believer's life. The first is "Growing Up" about making disciples. The second is "Firmly Planted" which provides theological insights and assurances about our status in Christ. This book provides fodder for helping believers move beyond any stagnant phase. According to the author, the three theological words that journal the formation of fruitfulness are justification, sanctification, and glorification.

Let me offer three thoughts about this book. First, it is a welcome resource for people seeking spiritual direction for personal growth. There is a progressive framework in the way the book is written. It starts off by dealing with the things that impede growth, how we can be free to move forward in good works and righteousness, before the climax of all growth: Worship. This is crucial because many believers see spiritual practices merely as obligations as believers. By moving beyond obligation toward passion, believers would be motivated to grow not because they have to but because they want to.

Second, it covers many New Testament passages about bearing fruit. I have spoken with many believers and whenever I ask them about spiritual fruits, they would often relate to the fruit of the Spirit as in Galatians 5. This book gives us a lot more than simply Galatians. Thanks to Gallaty, we have a collection of reflections and guidance with regard to bearing fruit in Christ. The operative phrase is "abiding in Christ" for without Christ we can do nothing.

Third, growth needs to be done in the context of a community. Personal devotionals and individual prayers are great practices that ought to be continued. However, the lack of accountability would stunt growth. It will even limit the fruits to only a small audience. If this growth could be in the form of a community, not only will it bless many more, it would provide a network of accountability for one another.

This is an excellent book to begin the new year!

Robby Gallaty is the Senior Pastor of Long Hollow Baptist Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee. He was radically saved out of a life of drug addiction on November 12, 2002. In 2008, he began Replicate Ministries to equip and train men and women to be disciples who make disciples.

Rating: 4.75 stars of 5.

conrade
This book has been provided courtesy of B&H Publishing and NetGalley without requiring a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.

Bearing Fruit… I found this book to be packed full of wonderful truths that I’m excited to mull-over. Each chapter is another aspect of fruit in our lives and it’s a great reference to go to which ever one I’m feeling drawn to by the Spirit to read and pray over any things that He might be helping me see in my own life. I found chapter 7 to be my favorite and loved how he mentioned that the fruit that is in us is for others… it’s a way to show the Gospel to others. We need to be constantly weeding our spiritual gardens just like weeding my own garden. If I let it go, I will lessen my harvest if I receive a harvest at all (it might just choke out my plant and kill it). With hands laid out before the Lord, my prayer is that the Gardener would do the cultivation needed in me to bear the fruit He desires, knowing it’s NOT an overnight process.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.