Wk 4 // May 17 & 18
Wk 4 // LET’S TALK ABOUT IT
May 17 & 18, 2025
Small Group Study
SERMON RECAP
Spend a few minutes recapping this week's sermon together.
TAP HERE TO VIEW THE SERMON NOTES.
TAP HERE TO TAKE THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS TEST THAT WAS IN THE BULLETIN
INTRODUCTION
Most of us look up to someone else whom we consider to be more talented than ourselves. We standardize their gifts and talents as the norm toward which all others should strive. But God has gifted you for a specific reason and for a specific task that requires your personal blend of giftedness. Paul addressed the Corinthian church, reminding the church of the value of each individual gift and person.
UNDERSTANDING
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ 1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-6.
Results come through our serving in the local body, and such service is driven by our giftedness. Paul reminded his readers of this important progression in this passage, beginning with the source (giftedness) that moves one to action (service) with a view to the results (workings). The results are tied to the giftedness. Paul reminded his readers that each gift is important. Some of the Corinthian believers sought the more public or recognized gifts and, in so doing, were working against God’s plans for them and against the advancement of the gospel.
HAVE TWO VOLUNTEERS READ ROMANS 12:6-8 AND 1 CORINTHIANS 12:7-11.
While a variety of lists exist, Paul emphasized the use of the gift given to each individual. Individuals are to use their gifts to the fullest, developing the skills and abilities needed to maximize their impact. Whatever a believer is called upon to do in the kingdom, he or she is to do that action with all their being. Each gift is important and of value in God’s service, and should be treated as valuable by both the person with the gift and fellow believers.
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-13.
Paul reminded his readers that the use of spiritual gifts was a unified effort. Every believer functions within the context of the body and the role in which he or she is assigned by the Spirit. True unity is achieved when each believer fulfills his or her specific role, contributing to the healthy functioning of the congregation (body). Spiritual gifts should produce unity, not strife.
APPLICATION
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for gifting each believer uniquely and for a specific purpose. Help us all to find the joy of serving within our giftedness, for Your honor and glory.
—----------------------------------
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY
[for further reading on this passage]
ROMANS 12:6-8
12:3-8 As part of a renewed mind, the Christian is to think wisely about himself and what his function is to be in the body of Christ (the church; see 1Co 12:12-28). Measure of faith may mean a person should measure himself by the gospel. Others see it as different apportionments of faith. Either way, Paul exhorts Christians to be humble and to use what God has given for the good of the body. Based on Rm 12:3; 1Co 12:8-10; Eph 4:11; 1Pe 4:10, Christians are given gifts to use for the good of others.
The NT lists at least 17 kinds of gifts. Christians are defined not just by their personal faith but also by their inclusion in local faith fellowships that are expressions of the body of Christ (see 1Co 12:12-31). Only some of the gifts are explained in this present passage. Prophecy in the NT churches was direct revelation from God before the canon was completed. This gift was to be used and measured in concert with the objective body of Christian truths. Service (Gk diakonia) is the origin of the word “deacon.” A deacon here is not a member of a board of directors but a servant. It describes not a title or office but a gift of ministry. Pastors should have this gift. Teaching is an essential gift. Parents teach children, older believers teach younger believers, vocational pastor-teachers are the primary instructors in a church, and elders should be able to teach also. All believers can teach to some level, but those who have a special facility for teaching are responsible to develop and utilize it. Exhortation is the gift of motivating and encouraging. This gift is similar to the Holy Spirit’s function. Giving is to be done with generosity. All can give, but capacities differ. Some delight to give out of very small means (Mk 12:41-44); others give a “reverse tithe”—they give 90 percent and live on 10 percent. Leading is a gift of vision and direction that is effective but should not be overbearing. Mercy is helping the sick, the poor, and the sorrowful. This gift is to be exercised with cheerfulness. Practical assistance to needy members was a main emphasis of the early churches. This same emphasis should characterize churches today.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-13
12:4-11a The Spirit, according to His will, distributes a diversity of gifts to the body for its common benefit. Verses 4-6 and the beginning of verse 11 have a variety of wordplays that frame this section.
12:4-6 . The same triune God brings about a variety of gifts and manifests diverse ministries within the corporate body. The different gifts... ministries, and activities within the unified church reflect the essential unity and unified work of the persons of the Godhead (vv. 6,11,24,27-28)—the same Spirit, the same Lord, the same God.
12:7 Each demonstration of the Spirit in a believer is given by God for the mutual benefit of the whole body of believers (cp. vv. 12-31). “Demonstration of the Spirit” refers to gifts, ministries, and activities made possible by the Spirit’s enabling power. Similar lists of spiritual gifts are given in verse 28; Rm 12:6-8; Eph 4:11; and 1Pe 4:10-11.
12:11 The phrase one and the same Spirit is active in all these refers to the Spirit’s supernatural working through a diversity of gifted people to produce one cohesive relationship (cp. v. 7, “what is beneficial”).
12:12 Christ is compressed language for “the body of Christ,” the church (cp. vv. 27-28).
12:13 To illustrate that individual believers become identified as one body of Christ (i.e., as the unified church), Paul borrowed imagery from the practice of dying various cloths by immersing them in the same dye vat. All believers are baptized into one body and are made to drink of one Spirit.
May 17 & 18, 2025
Small Group Study
SERMON RECAP
Spend a few minutes recapping this week's sermon together.
TAP HERE TO VIEW THE SERMON NOTES.
- What was one takeaway from this week's sermon for you?
- Were there any stories, ideas, or points that stuck out?
- Was there anything that challenged you?
TAP HERE TO TAKE THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS TEST THAT WAS IN THE BULLETIN
INTRODUCTION
- What is one thing you wish you had the ability to do? On the other hand, what can you do that others wish they had the ability to do?
- Why do you think people tend to focus more on what they can’t do than on what they can do?
Most of us look up to someone else whom we consider to be more talented than ourselves. We standardize their gifts and talents as the norm toward which all others should strive. But God has gifted you for a specific reason and for a specific task that requires your personal blend of giftedness. Paul addressed the Corinthian church, reminding the church of the value of each individual gift and person.
UNDERSTANDING
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ 1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-6.
- What is the significance of Paul using three different words to describe spiritual gifts? What other words could be used to communicate what Paul was saying?
- Why was it important for Paul to remind the Corinthian believers that different spiritual gifts originated from the Holy Spirit? Would it be important for believers today to be reminded of this truth? Explain.
Results come through our serving in the local body, and such service is driven by our giftedness. Paul reminded his readers of this important progression in this passage, beginning with the source (giftedness) that moves one to action (service) with a view to the results (workings). The results are tied to the giftedness. Paul reminded his readers that each gift is important. Some of the Corinthian believers sought the more public or recognized gifts and, in so doing, were working against God’s plans for them and against the advancement of the gospel.
HAVE TWO VOLUNTEERS READ ROMANS 12:6-8 AND 1 CORINTHIANS 12:7-11.
- How do these two passages complement each other? How are they different? How are they similar?
- What would a church look like if everyone acted on their giftedness in the way described in these passages?
- What keeps people from carrying out their giftedness in the ways described in these passages?
- Why do you think it was important for Paul to emphasize that the Holy Spirit gave each believer a specific spiritual gift? Why is it important for believers today to understand that spiritual gifts are given at the Holy Spirit’s discretion?
While a variety of lists exist, Paul emphasized the use of the gift given to each individual. Individuals are to use their gifts to the fullest, developing the skills and abilities needed to maximize their impact. Whatever a believer is called upon to do in the kingdom, he or she is to do that action with all their being. Each gift is important and of value in God’s service, and should be treated as valuable by both the person with the gift and fellow believers.
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ 1 CORINTHIANS 12:12-13.
- What modern-day illustrations could be used to communicate Paul’s point?
- How is the use of spiritual gifts a means for fostering unity within a local congregation? How can the misuse of spiritual gifts cause disunity?
Paul reminded his readers that the use of spiritual gifts was a unified effort. Every believer functions within the context of the body and the role in which he or she is assigned by the Spirit. True unity is achieved when each believer fulfills his or her specific role, contributing to the healthy functioning of the congregation (body). Spiritual gifts should produce unity, not strife.
APPLICATION
- What might Paul say today to you and your church about the use and misuse of spiritual gifts?
- What actions do you need to take to more fully develop the skills and abilities needed to better exercise your spiritual giftedness?
- How can you celebrate the individual giftedness of other believers, affirming their use of their spiritual gifts?
- What do you need to do to find contentment within your own giftedness?
PRAYER
Lord, thank you for gifting each believer uniquely and for a specific purpose. Help us all to find the joy of serving within our giftedness, for Your honor and glory.
—----------------------------------
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY
[for further reading on this passage]
ROMANS 12:6-8
12:3-8 As part of a renewed mind, the Christian is to think wisely about himself and what his function is to be in the body of Christ (the church; see 1Co 12:12-28). Measure of faith may mean a person should measure himself by the gospel. Others see it as different apportionments of faith. Either way, Paul exhorts Christians to be humble and to use what God has given for the good of the body. Based on Rm 12:3; 1Co 12:8-10; Eph 4:11; 1Pe 4:10, Christians are given gifts to use for the good of others.
The NT lists at least 17 kinds of gifts. Christians are defined not just by their personal faith but also by their inclusion in local faith fellowships that are expressions of the body of Christ (see 1Co 12:12-31). Only some of the gifts are explained in this present passage. Prophecy in the NT churches was direct revelation from God before the canon was completed. This gift was to be used and measured in concert with the objective body of Christian truths. Service (Gk diakonia) is the origin of the word “deacon.” A deacon here is not a member of a board of directors but a servant. It describes not a title or office but a gift of ministry. Pastors should have this gift. Teaching is an essential gift. Parents teach children, older believers teach younger believers, vocational pastor-teachers are the primary instructors in a church, and elders should be able to teach also. All believers can teach to some level, but those who have a special facility for teaching are responsible to develop and utilize it. Exhortation is the gift of motivating and encouraging. This gift is similar to the Holy Spirit’s function. Giving is to be done with generosity. All can give, but capacities differ. Some delight to give out of very small means (Mk 12:41-44); others give a “reverse tithe”—they give 90 percent and live on 10 percent. Leading is a gift of vision and direction that is effective but should not be overbearing. Mercy is helping the sick, the poor, and the sorrowful. This gift is to be exercised with cheerfulness. Practical assistance to needy members was a main emphasis of the early churches. This same emphasis should characterize churches today.
1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-13
12:4-11a The Spirit, according to His will, distributes a diversity of gifts to the body for its common benefit. Verses 4-6 and the beginning of verse 11 have a variety of wordplays that frame this section.
12:4-6 . The same triune God brings about a variety of gifts and manifests diverse ministries within the corporate body. The different gifts... ministries, and activities within the unified church reflect the essential unity and unified work of the persons of the Godhead (vv. 6,11,24,27-28)—the same Spirit, the same Lord, the same God.
12:7 Each demonstration of the Spirit in a believer is given by God for the mutual benefit of the whole body of believers (cp. vv. 12-31). “Demonstration of the Spirit” refers to gifts, ministries, and activities made possible by the Spirit’s enabling power. Similar lists of spiritual gifts are given in verse 28; Rm 12:6-8; Eph 4:11; and 1Pe 4:10-11.
12:11 The phrase one and the same Spirit is active in all these refers to the Spirit’s supernatural working through a diversity of gifted people to produce one cohesive relationship (cp. v. 7, “what is beneficial”).
12:12 Christ is compressed language for “the body of Christ,” the church (cp. vv. 27-28).
12:13 To illustrate that individual believers become identified as one body of Christ (i.e., as the unified church), Paul borrowed imagery from the practice of dying various cloths by immersing them in the same dye vat. All believers are baptized into one body and are made to drink of one Spirit.