By: Precious Allitt

Click to View the First Half of Our Journey Through Virtues

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

— Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NASB)  

Continuing Our Journey Through Virtues 

The first half of our year focused on building a strong foundation in love, patience, kindness, humility, compassion, and forgiveness. But spiritual growth doesn’t stop there.

This half of the journey will challenge us to remain faithful, embrace joy, practice gentleness, cultivate peace, exercise self-control, and live in gratitude.

Again, the key to all of this? Staying in the Word. When we consistently engage with Scripture, we allow God to shape our hearts and mold our character.

🌱 July: Living Faithfulness with the Jesus Principles (FAITHFULNESS)

📖 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NASB) – “In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.”  

Faithfulness is about staying committed—to God, to His Word, and to the calling on our lives. But let’s be honest—staying faithful isn’t always easy. Life gets busy, distractions come, and sometimes, we just don’t feel like it. But when we are rooted in Scripture, we develop a steady, unwavering faith that endures.

✅ Bible Study Tip: Read Hebrews 11 (the “Hall of Faith”). How do these examples inspire you to stay faithful?

🙌 Affirmation: I will remain faithful to God’s calling, trusting Him in every season.

🌱 August: Living with Joy & Contentment (JOY)

📖 Psalm 16:11 (NASB) – “You will make known to me the way of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; in Your right hand there are pleasures forever.”  

Joy isn’t just happiness when things are going well. It’s a deep, unshakable confidence in God—even when things are hard. And let’s be real: joy takes practice. The Bible teaches us that true joy comes not from our circumstances, but from knowing Jesus.

✅ Bible Study Tip: Study Paul’s letters, especially Philippians (often called the “letter of joy”). How did Paul remain joyful despite hardship?

🙌 Affirmation: I will choose joy, knowing that God is my source of strength and contentment.
 
🖊️ Want to Know More About Joy

📅 Read Pastor Coran's Blog Series: Joy Month

⏳ Read Pastor Coran's Blog Series: Joy Week

🌱 September: Practicing Gentleness in Everyday Life (GENTLENESS)

📖 Philippians 4:5 (NASB) – “Let your gentle spirit be known to all people. The Lord is near.”  

Some people mistake gentleness for weakness, but let’s be clear—gentleness is power under control. It’s about responding with grace instead of aggression, love instead of harshness. When we are rooted in Scripture, we learn how to embody Christ’s gentleness in our words, our actions, and our relationships.

✅ Bible Study Tip: Read about Jesus’ interactions with people (especially in the Gospels). How did He model gentleness?

🙌 Affirmation: I will walk in gentleness, responding to others with grace and patience.   
  

🌱 October: Cultivating a Heart of Peace (PEACE)

📖 Philippians 4:7 (NASB) – “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”  

With everything going on in the world, peace can feel like a rare thing. But God’s peace is different. It’s not based on circumstances—it’s a supernatural calm that anchors us, even in chaos. The more time we spend in the Word, the more we develop a peace that surpasses understanding.

✅ Bible Study Tip: Meditate on verses about God’s peace (like Isaiah 26:3). How can you apply them when anxiety or stress comes?

🙌 Affirmation: I will rest in God’s peace, knowing He is in control of every situation.  
  

🌱 November: Exercising Self-Control for Godly Living (SELF-CONTROL)

📖 Titus 2:11-12 (NASB) – “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all people, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously, and in a godly manner in the present age.”

Self-control is the ability to say no when necessary and yes when it aligns with God’s will. And let’s be real—this virtue is one of the hardest to develop. But when we are rooted in Scripture, we gain the strength to resist temptation and make choices that honor God.

✅ Bible Study Tip: Study the story of Jesus resisting temptation in Matthew 4. What can you learn from His response?

🙌 Affirmation: I will exercise self-control, making choices that align with God’s will.  
  

🌱 December: Practicing Gratitude as a Spiritual Discipline (GRATITUDE)

📖 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NASB) – “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”  

Gratitude isn’t just about saying “thank you” when things are good. It’s a mindset, a posture of the heart that recognizes God’s goodness in every situation. When we practice gratitude, we shift our focus from what’s missing to what God has already done.  

✅ Bible Study Tip: Start a gratitude journal and write down at least one thing you’re thankful for each day.

🙌 Affirmation: I will cultivate a heart of gratitude, recognizing God’s blessings in every season.  

The Power of Staying Rooted in the Word 

By the time we reach the end of this year, we will have journeyed through 12 transformative virtues. But let’s remember—this isn’t just about learning what these virtues are. It’s about living them out daily.


And how do we do that?


📖 By staying in God’s Word.

💡 Practical Steps to Stay Rooted in the Word:

✅ Daily Scripture Reading – Even if it’s just a few verses a day.

✅ Journaling – Write down what God is teaching you through Scripture.

✅ Prayer – Ask God to help you grow in these virtues.

✅ Community – Discuss what you’re learning with others. 

Why Reading the Word Matters 

Each of these virtues begins with Scripture. We can’t just “try harder” to be patient, kind, or humble. We need the Word of God to transform us from the inside out.

💡 This year, let’s commit to:

✅ Reading the Bible daily (even if it’s just a few verses).

✅ Memorizing Scripture that speaks to these virtues.

✅ Praying for God to develop these virtues in us.

When we stay rooted in the Word, we grow in virtue. And when we grow in virtue, we look more like Jesus.

📖 Journaling Question: Which virtue do I struggle with the most, and how can I grow in it through Scripture?

🙌 Affirmation: I will stay rooted in God’s Word so that His virtues grow in me.
  

Final Encouragement

Spiritual growth doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process. But if we stay rooted, we will see fruit. This year, let’s commit to deepening our faith, growing in virtue, and staying anchored in the Word of God.