Deep Roots, Good Fruit

Tim Challies

It is one of God’s greatest promises and one of our foremost encouragements: that he is changing us from the inside out. By the work of his Spirit, he is transforming us so we bear fruit—fruit that displays the goodness and grace of our Savior. That is the subject of this book, which has been written by one of my favorite authors. And as Kristin does on her blog and elsewhere, she not only writes what is true, but she writes it beautifully and compellingly.

Carolyn Lacey

Growth in godliness is slow, and it’s easy to become discouraged. In this beautifully written book, Kristin Couch skilfully weaves story and Scripture together to show how God’s Spirit works, gently and patiently, through the day-to-day, seemingly insignificant experiences of life to grow good fruit in his people. Her invitation to slow down and notice this transforming work in your own life will encourage you and fuel your desire to grow more like Jesus.

“A lovely, gentle book”

In the Bible, the book of Galatians has that well known passage “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23).
Sometimes, keeping to this can seem like a lofty ambition, challenging, with all the circumstances that life throws in our direction. But this lovely, gentle book from Kristin Elizabeth Couch shows that in our daily lives, even in the small things, we can intentionally take positive steps in our spiritual growth that will ultimately help us in becoming more Christ-like.
The book takes a chapter for each of the “fruits of the Spirit”, shows how it is applied in ways that have deeply impacted the author’s life, anecdotes that highlight their power in a world where often these things are missing. Then she explains, in an approachable way, their importance, their value and why Christians can be making a difference in the world if they follow the teachings.
There are helpful questions at the end of the book for each chapter, than means it could be a useful text for a Bible study group.

“Delightful and Edifying!”

Kristin's masterful storytelling, combined with her unpacking of correlating Biblical Truth, makes this a delightful and edifying read.

I am particularly grateful for Kristin's unswerving emphasis, in every chapter, on the gospel of Jesus Christ. Her remarkable stories depict the fruit of the Spirit beautifully, yet with grace and conviction, she leads us "back up the sunbeam" to the source Himself and says, in effect, any slight evidence of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, or self-control within ourselves are marks of the Holy Spirit at work. Amen and amen! 

I highly recommend this book!

“Encouraging & Inspiring!”

This book is like a cozy coffee chat with a Christian mentor. The author uses stories to introduce each fruit of the Spirit and then explores applicable Scripture. I loved reading one chapter a day along with my daily Bible reading. This is the perfect companion to your personal Bible reading and it’s sure to both challenge and encourage you.

Thank you to The Good Book Company for a gifted copy of the book. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

“Touching and encouraging read!”

Kristin's writing is so encouraging and compelling! I love how she gently weaved her personal stories and Scripture together to show how God’s Spirit extraordinarily works to grow His people in everyday life. Her stories are beautifully written and are so impactful. The reflection questions at the end of the book were particularly helpful to slow down and give thanks for the examples we experience in life, to reflect and pray for the areas we need to grow in. This book is for every Christian who longs to see how God works in ordinary lives and seeks to grow in the fruit of the Spirit.

“Like Savoring a Sweet Fruit Salad—Nourishing, Refreshing, and Satisfying”

This book is a refreshing read, filled with captivating stories from Kristin’s life, paired with inspiring, biblical reflections on the fruit of the Spirit. Each chapter focuses on a different fruit, from love to self-control, as listed in Galatians 5:22–23. In her signature style, Kristin captures her readers with charming, funny, and even suspenseful tales from her own life, then seamlessly draws us in for a deeper look through the lens of God’s Word.

This is not a devotional book or an in-depth Bible study, and it doesn’t quite fit the memoir mold either. But like a vibrant fruit salad served on a sweltering summer day, Deep Roots, Good Fruit is as tantalizing as it is nourishing—a welcome addition to my overflowing bookshelf.

“Desirable Fruit”

Theology zippered together with well-written stories makes this book desirable fruit! Kristin's gifted writing takes us to places where we experience the fruit of the Spirit lived out in the lives of real people. 'Deep Roots, Good Fruit' is nourishment for those pursuing blossoming fruit in their daily lives.

“Excellent thought-provoking read”

Deep Roots, Good Fruit is a short, easy to read book about the fruit of the Spirit in the ordinary lives of regular believers like you and me. Each of the nine attributes of the fruit of the Spirit has it's own chapter and each it's own wonderfully woven example, showing the reader what the fruit looks like in a Spirit filled follower of Jesus.

Each story drew me in irresistibly. I felt like I was cozied up in the corner of a comfy couch in the living room of Kristin's ordinary life, blanket wrapped around me and a hot cocoa in my hand. With each story I saw the fruit of the Spirit alive and well in the simple, mundane moments of life. After reading this book I have been inspired to walk more worthy of the Lord.

“Ordinary Stories of the Spirit's Work”

Through simple stories of everyday Christians, the author walks us through the fruits of the Spirit in a practical, Scripturally-sound method. Reading this book is such a beautiful testimony of the Spirit's work in our fellow believers. It is full of encouragement but also reminds us that the Holy Spirit is also at work in us.

“Shines forth with the beauty of God's ways”

Kristin Elizabeth Couch enables us to both understand the truth and see the truth in this accessible and encouraging book. She helps us to understand the work God's Spirit is doing in the believer, but then through wonderful, homely storytelling fleshes out that truth in real, lived examples. This is not a book which says 'try harder' - although it is challenging in the standards God calls his people too. Rather it leads us afresh to Christ to want to see this fruit in our lives and give us hope that God will enable us to bring it.

The questions at the end help the reader reflect on each chapter.