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Flourish: Grace-Centered Practices to Protect and Grow a Fruitful Life in Christ
Bible teacher Ava Pennington reveals how to reclaim and defend the fruit of the Spirit from the Enemy
The fruit of the Spirit is promised to every Christian, so why do so many believers lack love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? For those dissatisfied with their level of spiritual maturity, those seeking tools and guidance to cultivate their relationship with God, and those looking to transform their lives, Flourish is the perfect resource, designed to help readers grow in their faith journeys.
With a grace-centered perspective on the fruit of the Spirit, author and Bible teacher Ava Pennington equips readers with biblical principles and practices to recognize Satan's attacks, shield their hearts, and recover what the thief has stolen. Readers will learn how to nurture growth in Christ, protect their fruitfulness, and share the harvest.
Instead of being cheated out of fully ripened godly characteristics, readers can fight spiritual battles with spiritual weapons and reclaim the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. With personal application and discussion questions at the end of each chapter, Flourish is a perfect small group resource.
The fruit of the Spirit is promised to every Christian, so why do so many believers lack love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control? For those dissatisfied with their level of spiritual maturity, those seeking tools and guidance to cultivate their relationship with God, and those looking to transform their lives, Flourish is the perfect resource, designed to help readers grow in their faith journeys.
With a grace-centered perspective on the fruit of the Spirit, author and Bible teacher Ava Pennington equips readers with biblical principles and practices to recognize Satan's attacks, shield their hearts, and recover what the thief has stolen. Readers will learn how to nurture growth in Christ, protect their fruitfulness, and share the harvest.
Instead of being cheated out of fully ripened godly characteristics, readers can fight spiritual battles with spiritual weapons and reclaim the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. With personal application and discussion questions at the end of each chapter, Flourish is a perfect small group resource.
- GenresInspirational
216 pages, Paperback
Published October 21, 2025
7 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
About the author
Ava Pennington
8 books80 followersThere are times when I feel like pinching myself to make sure I’m not dreaming…
I enjoyed working in the corporate world for more than twenty years as a Human Resources executive, but it doesn’t compare to what I’m doing now. For the past several years I’ve been privileged to teach Bible study classes in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and in my church.
And I write. I write. Those two words have opened an amazing world for me as God has set my feet on a new path – a second career I never dreamed attainable.
It began 15 years ago with a short story published in Chicken Soup for the Soul. That story was the first of more than 30 stories published in anthologies, including 25 Chicken Soup for the Soul books. From there, I published articles in Christian magazines such as Today's Christian Woman, Light & Life, The Lookout, and Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse Magazine.
I’m the author of Daily Reflections on the Names of God: A Devotional (Baker/Revell). And I’m humbled to say Kay Arthur, founder of Precept Ministries, Int’l., has endorsed it.
I’ve also co-authored a children’s picture book series, Faith Basics for Kids (Standard Publishing). The first two books in the series are Do You Love Me More? and Will I See You Today?
If you’re looking for a speaker, I love to speak and teach, engaging audiences with relevant, enjoyable presentations.
For more information, visit me at http://www.AvaPennington.com
I enjoyed working in the corporate world for more than twenty years as a Human Resources executive, but it doesn’t compare to what I’m doing now. For the past several years I’ve been privileged to teach Bible study classes in Bible Study Fellowship (BSF) and in my church.
And I write. I write. Those two words have opened an amazing world for me as God has set my feet on a new path – a second career I never dreamed attainable.
It began 15 years ago with a short story published in Chicken Soup for the Soul. That story was the first of more than 30 stories published in anthologies, including 25 Chicken Soup for the Soul books. From there, I published articles in Christian magazines such as Today's Christian Woman, Light & Life, The Lookout, and Focus on the Family’s Clubhouse Magazine.
I’m the author of Daily Reflections on the Names of God: A Devotional (Baker/Revell). And I’m humbled to say Kay Arthur, founder of Precept Ministries, Int’l., has endorsed it.
I’ve also co-authored a children’s picture book series, Faith Basics for Kids (Standard Publishing). The first two books in the series are Do You Love Me More? and Will I See You Today?
If you’re looking for a speaker, I love to speak and teach, engaging audiences with relevant, enjoyable presentations.
For more information, visit me at http://www.AvaPennington.com
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 21, 2025
Flourish will challenge you in a good way. Ava Pennington's writing is transformative. Her stories are vulnerable and relatable. And she's an excellent writer.
Each chapter, one per fruit of the Spirit, is broken into these sections: Recognize the Enemy's Tactics, Nurture a Right Perspective, Recover and Grow, and Share the Harvest. Application questions are included at the end of each chapter.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you are ready to learn how the enemy steals or stunts the growth of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, explore His Word to nurture a proper perspective, grow, and share your faith with a broken world.
Each chapter, one per fruit of the Spirit, is broken into these sections: Recognize the Enemy's Tactics, Nurture a Right Perspective, Recover and Grow, and Share the Harvest. Application questions are included at the end of each chapter.
I highly recommend this book, especially if you are ready to learn how the enemy steals or stunts the growth of the fruit of the Spirit in our lives, explore His Word to nurture a proper perspective, grow, and share your faith with a broken world.
October 19, 2025
The tagline says it perfectly: Grace-centered practices to protect and grow a fruitful life in Christ. Flourish is a deeply Scriptural invitation to live fully yielded to Him. Ava Pennington defines the fruit of the Spirit and reveals how the Holy Spirit cultivates, guards, and restores what God plants within us. These pages feel alive; soaked in Scripture’s truth, watered by grace, and rooted in the eternal Word of God.
Pennington writes with clarity and conviction, gently teaching that the fruit of the Spirit is not something we produce through effort, but something God grows through personal surrender. She leads readers to recognize the spiritual battle that seeks to steal what God has planted and equips them to protect that sacred growth with prayer, obedience, and trust.
I am deeply moved by the reminder that “one of the great frustrations in growing fruit is watching it develop day by day, only to see it stolen just as it reaches the peak of ripeness.” That truth pierces me. The fruit of the Spirit is not symbolic—it is living evidence of God’s presence within us, and the enemy would love nothing more than to see it spoiled or stunted. Yet our God is in the recovery business. Through His Word and His Spirit, He restores what the thief dares to steal.
Every chapter encourages me to stay alert, dependent, and rooted. I pause often to pray, asking the Holy Spirit to quiet the enemy’s lies and draw me nearer to Him and His work within me. This is a book to sit with, letting truth take root deep in your soul.
Flourish is perfect for both new believers and lifelong followers of Christ who long to grow deeper in faith. It’s a resource for personal study or small groups seeking to cultivate lives that reflect Jesus. Grace-filled, biblically sound, and beautifully practical, this book reminds us that fruitfulness begins not with striving, but with surrender … a heart continually yielding in loving obedience.
I received a paperback of this book from the publisher. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on biblical faithfulness, clarity of message, and the author’s ability to illuminate Scripture with accuracy and affection for Christ, ensuring transparency and trustworthy reflection of the book’s spiritual depth and value.
Pennington writes with clarity and conviction, gently teaching that the fruit of the Spirit is not something we produce through effort, but something God grows through personal surrender. She leads readers to recognize the spiritual battle that seeks to steal what God has planted and equips them to protect that sacred growth with prayer, obedience, and trust.
I am deeply moved by the reminder that “one of the great frustrations in growing fruit is watching it develop day by day, only to see it stolen just as it reaches the peak of ripeness.” That truth pierces me. The fruit of the Spirit is not symbolic—it is living evidence of God’s presence within us, and the enemy would love nothing more than to see it spoiled or stunted. Yet our God is in the recovery business. Through His Word and His Spirit, He restores what the thief dares to steal.
Every chapter encourages me to stay alert, dependent, and rooted. I pause often to pray, asking the Holy Spirit to quiet the enemy’s lies and draw me nearer to Him and His work within me. This is a book to sit with, letting truth take root deep in your soul.
Flourish is perfect for both new believers and lifelong followers of Christ who long to grow deeper in faith. It’s a resource for personal study or small groups seeking to cultivate lives that reflect Jesus. Grace-filled, biblically sound, and beautifully practical, this book reminds us that fruitfulness begins not with striving, but with surrender … a heart continually yielding in loving obedience.
I received a paperback of this book from the publisher. I am not required to write a positive review nor paid to do so. This is my honest and unbiased review. My thoughts and opinions expressed in this book review are my own. My review focuses on biblical faithfulness, clarity of message, and the author’s ability to illuminate Scripture with accuracy and affection for Christ, ensuring transparency and trustworthy reflection of the book’s spiritual depth and value.
October 17, 2025
Flourish: Grace-Centered Practices to Protect and Grow a Fruitful Life in Christ is focused on the fruits of the spirit that are listed in Galatians 5:22-23.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I took my time reading it (which I highly recommend) to get the most out of it. I appreciated the author's research and saturation of scripture throughout the book. Her conversation style made the book a quick read and easy to understand.
I have many highlights and tabbed pages. I learned so much about the fruits of the spirit, but I also learned things about myself. Some sections spoke more to me than others, but one particular section really stood out. In this particular section, the author is talking about God's silence and the lies Satan will throw at us during this time. Using the example of Mary and Martha and the death of their brother, and a quote from Oswald Chambers, God's silence is explained in a way I had never heard before. A brief snippet of Chambers' quote:
...When you cannot hear God, you will find that He has trusted you in the most intimate way possible-with absolute silence, not a silence of despair, but one of pleasure, because He saw that you could withstand an even bigger revelation.
Wow! In the case of Mary and Martha, after God's silence, they saw their brother raised from the dead! We tend to think that when God is silent, He isn't listening to us, but that is not the case at all.
There are SO many good parts to this book, and so much to savor, and wisdom to learn from. I highly recommend it.
Thank you to the author and Kregel Publications for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I took my time reading it (which I highly recommend) to get the most out of it. I appreciated the author's research and saturation of scripture throughout the book. Her conversation style made the book a quick read and easy to understand.
I have many highlights and tabbed pages. I learned so much about the fruits of the spirit, but I also learned things about myself. Some sections spoke more to me than others, but one particular section really stood out. In this particular section, the author is talking about God's silence and the lies Satan will throw at us during this time. Using the example of Mary and Martha and the death of their brother, and a quote from Oswald Chambers, God's silence is explained in a way I had never heard before. A brief snippet of Chambers' quote:
...When you cannot hear God, you will find that He has trusted you in the most intimate way possible-with absolute silence, not a silence of despair, but one of pleasure, because He saw that you could withstand an even bigger revelation.
Wow! In the case of Mary and Martha, after God's silence, they saw their brother raised from the dead! We tend to think that when God is silent, He isn't listening to us, but that is not the case at all.
There are SO many good parts to this book, and so much to savor, and wisdom to learn from. I highly recommend it.
Thank you to the author and Kregel Publications for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 22, 2025
Fruit of the Spirit. How often have we read Galatians 5:22-23 in our Bibles, or heard ministers encourage us to strive for these attributes? In this new book, author Ava Pennington provides an enlightening look at the nine "fruits" while offering encouragement to help us achieve them.
Reading this book felt like a personal one-to-one conversation with Pennington, and Flourish was "chock full" of Scripture to support the theories she shares. Each chapter concludes with a set of Application Questions to further challenge my thinking and there are Notes in the back to offer more documentation.
Flourish isn't just for new believers! I was challenged, as a seasoned Christian, to read, ponder, search, and pray about this fruit offered by the Holy Spirit. I was also reminded that I can't just choose the fruits that I like---they are facets of the ONE fruit that the Holy Spirit grows in my life to help me mature in my relationship with God.
This book is perfect for individual use but it would also be a wonderful resource for a group Bible study. I highly recommend Flourish to anyone wanting to strengthen their Christian walk.
I received a copy of this book from Kregel Publications. There was no obligation for a positive review, and no monetary compensation was offered.
Reading this book felt like a personal one-to-one conversation with Pennington, and Flourish was "chock full" of Scripture to support the theories she shares. Each chapter concludes with a set of Application Questions to further challenge my thinking and there are Notes in the back to offer more documentation.
Flourish isn't just for new believers! I was challenged, as a seasoned Christian, to read, ponder, search, and pray about this fruit offered by the Holy Spirit. I was also reminded that I can't just choose the fruits that I like---they are facets of the ONE fruit that the Holy Spirit grows in my life to help me mature in my relationship with God.
This book is perfect for individual use but it would also be a wonderful resource for a group Bible study. I highly recommend Flourish to anyone wanting to strengthen their Christian walk.
I received a copy of this book from Kregel Publications. There was no obligation for a positive review, and no monetary compensation was offered.
October 21, 2025
Too many books touted as "Christian personal growth" should probably be labeled "Christian guilt trips." Written by (often) self-proclaimed experts, these books give us long lists of what we should do and why we should do it. The result, too often, is frustration, guilt, and shame. "Flourish" by Ava Pennington, however, does just the opposite, pointing us back to the glorious good news of the gospel as the firm foundation for everything we are to live, do, and be. Filled with practical tips, real-life illustrations, and biblical wisdom, this book explains the truth about the fruit of the Spirit in a unique and life-giving way. I know Ava as a friend and fellow writer, and this review flows not from that relationship but from a real and honest reading of her book. True confession: I wasn't looking forward to reading a book on a topic I thought I knew well, but Ava's insights surprised and delighted me. The thought-provoking questions that close each chapter make this book a slam-dunk for small groups or individuals seeking to deepen their walk with Christ and (yes) enhance the quantity and quality of their fruit. Well done!
October 3, 2025
In Flourish, Ava Pennington walks alongside believers who long to see the fruits of the Spirit, such as love, joy, and peace, grow abundantly in their lives. This book meets readers right where they are and offers a biblical, grace-filled approach to nurturing and protecting the fruits of the Spirit in our lives.
“Cultivating the fruit of the Spirit is more about we than me.”
This book will help you learn practical ways to develop and protect your fruitfulness and will deepen your desire to grow in the godly characteristics we are called to cultivate as followers of Jesus—both for ourselves and to share the harvest with others.
I especially appreciated the thought-provoking discussion questions at the end of each chapter, they would be perfect for small group discussions!
I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
“Cultivating the fruit of the Spirit is more about we than me.”
This book will help you learn practical ways to develop and protect your fruitfulness and will deepen your desire to grow in the godly characteristics we are called to cultivate as followers of Jesus—both for ourselves and to share the harvest with others.
I especially appreciated the thought-provoking discussion questions at the end of each chapter, they would be perfect for small group discussions!
I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 24, 2025
This book is clear, easy to understand, digest, and apply. The author gives much needed teaching on the reality of the Holy Spirit’s work in the life of a believer through the gift of His fruit. She uses a fourfold approach to examine the facets of each aspect of the fruit of Spirit: recognizing the enemy's tactics, nurturing the right perspective, recognizing and growing by surrendering to the Holy Spirit, and sharing the harvest. Ava Pennington's application of God’s Word regarding the fruit of the Spirit provides heart-pricking, life-giving conviction. She includes sooo many practical takeaways which hold the promise of life-changing sanctification. She graciously leads you on the path to growing into a more fruitful Christian...exactly what every Christian needs!
October 29, 2025
Flourish: Grace-Centered Practices to Protect and Grow a Fruitful Life in Christ by Ava Pennington shares how the fruits of the Spirit should function in our lives. Each chapter shares a different fruit of the spirit in the context of nurturing a right perspective, how to recover and grow, recognizing the enemy’s tactics, and ends with application questions.
The author is passionate about you growing in the fruit of spirit in your faith, and she uses scripture, personal stories, and excellent discussion questions for your journey. This is not a quick read as the book challenges you to think and reflect on your life, your actions, and what you believe. It is practical, thoughtful, and divided into bit-sized chapters. It is an excellent book to grow further in your walk, and I recommend.
I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review
The author is passionate about you growing in the fruit of spirit in your faith, and she uses scripture, personal stories, and excellent discussion questions for your journey. This is not a quick read as the book challenges you to think and reflect on your life, your actions, and what you believe. It is practical, thoughtful, and divided into bit-sized chapters. It is an excellent book to grow further in your walk, and I recommend.
I was gifted a copy and not required to write a positive review
October 21, 2025
Ava Pennington shows the reader a roadmap to connecting with our spiritual gifts. By sharing practical examples of real life situations , she reveals the connection between reading the word and applying it to our daily lives.
She is a wonderful story teller, piquing the reader’s interest as she crafts a beautiful story of connection between the creator and the reader. As I read the book, I felt a greater understanding of my own spiritual gifts as well as how to connect with them. A really outstanding book! I highly recommend
She is a wonderful story teller, piquing the reader’s interest as she crafts a beautiful story of connection between the creator and the reader. As I read the book, I felt a greater understanding of my own spiritual gifts as well as how to connect with them. A really outstanding book! I highly recommend
October 21, 2025
Where is your peace? Your joy? Your patience? Ava has written an insightful book to point you in the right direction to find the Fruit of the Spirit in your life. She gets to the core of things with her easy-to-read and understandable style of writing, along with root-identifying application questions that get directly to the heart of the matter. I know this is a book I will be reading over and over in my walk with God. I highly encourage you to order yours on Amazon now.
October 21, 2025
It was an easy read, even for someone who doesn't read much non-fiction. There was a lot of take-away and a lot to learn from. Everyone knows they need to work on patience, but Ava was able to show different ways and methods to grow in the areas of all the fruit of the Spirit, but she did it in an encouraging, uplifting, and relatable way. This book would be a great choice to read as a Bible study on your own or in a group.
November 5, 2025
This is one of the best books I’ve read in years. Ava is a master at giving us practical, biblical wisdom for an obedient and purpose-filled life. This book is full of pointed scripture references and godly wisdom peppered with applicable stories from Eva’s life. This book offers the best and most complete treatment I’ve seen of how to reflect the fruit of the Spirit to the lost world. Order it today!
October 12, 2025
Love reading Avas book on the Fruit of the Spirit. She has such a great way of helping us step in to all God has in store for us. I loves the reflection questions at the end of each chapter. They were deep and thought provoking, encouraging me to sit and spend time with the Holy Spirit.
This is a must read if you want to grow with the Lord and share your fruit with others.
This is a must read if you want to grow with the Lord and share your fruit with others.
October 13, 2025
Ava’s book offers a profound exploration of the Fruit of the Spirit, guiding readers to understand and apply each one in their daily lives. Together, these virtues strengthen our spiritual foundation, helping us recognize the enemy’s attacks and guard what the Holy Spirit has placed within us. This is a book I will return to time and time again.
October 16, 2025
If you are looking for a deep dive into how to live a fruitful life in Christ, this is the book for you. You will be challenged to look closely at each of the fruits of the Spirit and apply the biblical truths to your daily life. I highly recommend this valuable resource for both individual and group study.
October 29, 2025
Flourish by Ava Pennington is a must-read for those wishing to flourish spiritually. And isn't that all Christians? You will glean fresh insights about the fruit of the Spirit which will deepen your relationship with God, equip you to overcome the enemy's attacks, and bring to fruition those promised Christ-like attributes in your life.
October 10, 2025
Highly recommend!
I love this book so far because Ava looks at the fruits of the spirit from a different angle--learning how to let the fruit flow from our relationship to the ultimate fruitful Branch rather than grasping after each fruit individually.
I love this book so far because Ava looks at the fruits of the spirit from a different angle--learning how to let the fruit flow from our relationship to the ultimate fruitful Branch rather than grasping after each fruit individually.
October 14, 2025
Ava asks us the questions we need to answer to be honest with ourselves so we can grow in our faith, so we can become flourishing believers producing the fruit of faith in our lives. A beautiful book for any season or situation in life.
October 20, 2025
After studying the fruit of the Spirit for much of my life, Flourish has given me a much deeper and intimate understanding of how and why and what to do with these gifts we are given. A book that will be by your side for years to come.
January 15, 2026
This book opened my eyes to work on my personal relationship with Jesus. We can’t change others or control them. How I conduct myself in self control speaks volumes to others. Become more like Christ.
February 22, 2026
This is a book of solid doctrine on the fruits of the Spirit. It has many probing questions that will help you examine your spiritual life. It is hard-hitting yet refreshingly honest. It's just what I needed to be challenged to grow in deep areas of faith.
February 12, 2026
Great resource. This book if filled with wisdom and encouragement.
October 20, 2025
Flourish, by Ava Pennington, explores how we can grow the fruit of the Spirit in our lives and how to protect the fruit from the enemy. It is well written and well researched with great application questions.
December 29, 2025
Earlier this year I learned in a Bible study I was working through, that the fruit of the spirit are not singular fruits we should be striving towards but all interconnected fruit of the Holy Spirit growing in our lives. When I saw Ava’s book I was excited to read it because I wanted to grow in spiritual maturity and cultivate my relationship with God. Ava’s book is insightful and full of solid Biblical truths, but reads very much like a text book. I would have connected more with personal anecdotes of Ava’s on how she came to grow in the fruit of the spirit and or practical steps of implementation. The reflection questions provided at the end of every chapter were helpful, but left space to wonder what to do next. Everyone should read Ava’s book as a reminder of just how richly we have been blessed by God and the need to awaken to the very real and prevalent spiritual battle warring for the fruit that makes our lives loving, joyful, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and with self-control.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews