01
What is a fruit of the Spirit sorting activity?
It is a hands-on game where children read short, everyday situations and place each one on the fruit of the Spirit it shows. Instead of memorising a list of nine words, kids match them to things they actually do: waiting for the slide, telling the truth about spilled paint, sharing an umbrella.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Galatians 5:22-23 (World English Bible)
Sorting turns a list children recite into choices they recognise.
02
The free printable: what is in the PDF
- Page 1, leader sheet: the verse, a five-step plan and the answer key for all 27 cards.
- Page 2, nine sorting mats: one cut-paper fruit and label per mat, sized for a table.
- Pages 3 and 4, 27 scenario cards: three per fruit, dashed cut lines, large type for young readers.
US Letter, prints fine on A4. No email, no sign-up. Free to copy for your class.
03
How to run the sorting game in 15 minutes
- Read Galatians 5:22-23 aloud and ask for one fruit from memory.
- Deal the cards face down. Each child reads one and places it on a mat.
- Ask “why that one?” before checking the key.
- Point out the cards that fit two fruits. That conversation is the lesson.
- Finish with: “Which card could you do this week?”
The best part of the game is the disagreement, so leave room for it.
04
Fruit of the Spirit scenarios for kids: a preview
One card per fruit, straight from the printable, with the second fruit the key accepts.
| Fruit | Scenario card | Also fits |
|---|---|---|
| Love | A new kid sits alone at lunch. You save a seat for them every day this week. | Kindness |
| Joy | Your team loses the game. You still thank the coach and laugh with friends on the way home. | Peace |
| Peace | Two of you want the red marker. You suggest taking turns, five minutes each. | Patience |
| Patience | The line for the slide is long. You wait your turn without pushing. | Self-control |
| Kindness | Someone is carrying a heavy box to the classroom. You hold the door open. | – |
| Goodness | You find five dollars on the playground and take it to the office. | Faith |
| Faith | You promised to feed the fish while your neighbors were away. You do it every single day. | Goodness |
| Gentleness | Your baby cousin pulls your hair. You gently open his fingers instead of yelling. | Self-control |
| Self-control | You are really angry at your brother. You walk away and count to ten instead of hitting. | Peace |
A design decision we made: almost every card has an “also fits” answer. Real kindness often looks like patience too, and a game with only one right answer teaches kids to guess what the teacher wants.
05
Honest limits of a paper sorting game
- It shows what the fruit looks like. It does not explain the Holy Spirit's work behind it; that is your teaching time.
- The scenarios are written for a typical Western school day. Swap in local situations if a card feels foreign.
- Older kids (12 and up) may find the cards easy. Ask them to write three new ones instead.
06
Questions teachers ask about the sorting cards
What age is this fruit of the Spirit sorting activity for?
The 27 cards are written for roughly ages 6 to 11, with situations from home, school and the playground. For pre-readers, a leader reads each card aloud and the child places it.
Do I have to sign up or give an email to get the printable?
No. The PDF (38 KB, 4 pages) downloads directly from this page. There is no form and no account.
Can one card fit more than one fruit of the Spirit?
Yes, and that is on purpose. Holding the door can be kindness or love. The leader key lists a main fruit and, for most cards, a second one that also fits. If a child argues well for a third, let them win.
Why does the list say faith instead of faithfulness?
We quote Galatians 5:22-23 from the World English Bible, which says “faith”. Many translations say “faithfulness”. The cards treat it as keeping your word and trusting God, so either label works for your class.
How long does the sorting activity take?
About 15 minutes for a group of 6 to 10 children, or 20 if you let the arguments about second fruits run. It also works as a 5-minute opener with just one mat per fruit.
Can I copy the cards for my whole church?
Yes. Print and copy as many as you need for classes, camps and home use. Please do not sell them.
Is the Ninefruit app free?
Ninefruit's free tier includes the daily moment, Help Me Practise, a starter plan, daily rounds of every game (including Spot the Fruit), weekly challenges and the journal. Ninefruit Premium adds all nine practice plans, unlimited games, every Decision Story and the full Family Conversation deck.
07
Who this printable is not for
If your class is mostly preschoolers, a coloring page with the nine fruit drawn as real fruit will hold attention better than reading cards. If you lead adults or teens, the cards will feel young; a discussion guide or the app's adult reading style fits better. And if you need a full 9-week curriculum with crafts and memory verses, use a published one; this is a single-session activity.
08
Sorting cards vs. other fruit of the Spirit activities
Coloring page
Best for ages 3 to 5. Teaches the nine names, not what they look like in a day.
Word search
Quiet and familiar. Spelling practice more than understanding.
Sorting cards
Ages 6 to 11. Kids match real situations and explain why. Needs 15 minutes and scissors.
Ninefruit app
For families at home: a daily moment, Spot the Fruit and Family Conversation Cards, with a Beginner reading style.
Keep the sorting going at home
Ninefruit gives families one realistic moment a day and a Spot the Fruit round, quoting Scripture from the World English Bible. Family Mode asks for a grown-up before purchases or web links. Get Ninefruit free on the App Store.
Updated November 2026
Related
- Ninefruit: practise the Fruit of the SpiritPractise love, joy, peace and all nine fruit in two-minute everyday moments: a situation, a verse in plain words, one step. Free on iPhone.
- 7-day patience challenge: one pause a dayA 7-day patience challenge from Galatians 5: one real situation, one verse and one 10-second pause a day. Free pause counter, no sign-up.
- How to deal with a difficult coworker as a ChristianWhat the Bible says about a difficult coworker: 10 facts with World English Bible verses, sorted by situation, plus a 20-second practice round.
- A 27-day Fruit of the Spirit Advent checklistA free 27-day Advent checklist from 29 November to Christmas Day: nine fruits of the Spirit, three small days each. Scratch today's card.