1 CORINTHIANS - Gifted to Serve

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Discussion Guide for small groups, families, and individuals

1 CORINTHIANS - Gifted to Serve DECEMBER 12/13, 2015 For Starters 1. Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged you or raised questions? 2. How do people today define or describe a person who is “spiritual”? 3. As a group, make a list of what you know about spiritual gifts.

Digging In 1. Read 1 Cor 12:1-11. After reminding the church that true spirituality is more about living out our confession that Jesus is Lord, than it is about having some power of spiritual gift, Paul reminds them and us that our profound unity is strengthened by our diversity. Look at vv 4-6. What do we share in common, what is different? 2. Why are the gifts given and by whom in 12:7, 11? (cf Eph 1:13-14 reminds us that we receive the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit when we first trusted/believed in Christ.) 3. The church is like a body - our body has many parts, the many parts form one body, cf 12:12. What problem/challenge is Paul addressing in verses15-20, what about 21-26? 4. Read 1 Peter 4:10,11. List out 3-4 key principles to remember as we serve others using our gifts.

Bringing It Home 1. This week in your groups, help each other identify their spiritual gift(s) and talk about how the diverse gifting in your group makes it a better group. Use the definitions on the next page to help guide you. 2. Are we as a group set up to practice v 26? What is keeping us back, how can we improve? 3. Are you more likely to suffer from an inferiority or superiority complex? What is the corrective teaching that you need to remember? 4. How does this passage help you better understand the term “church member”?

SPIRITUAL GIFTS Administration The Spirit-given ability to guide and organize people and ministries toward a common goal. Traits: Organizer, doer, delegator, knows how to get things done

Discernment The Spirit-given ability to distinguish between truth and error. Traits: Perceptive, thinks biblically, insightful

Encouragement The Spirit-given ability to strengthen people's faith through a word of comfort or exhortation. Traits: Counselor, exhorter, encourager

Evangelism The Spirit-given ability to share the Gospel with power and great effect. Traits: Dynamic witness of Jesus Christ,

Faith The Spirit-given ability to see what God wants done and to believe He will accomplish His will, even if it looks impossible. Traits: A deep confidence in God, strong faith in His promises

Giving The Spirit-given ability to share you resources generously, especially with those who are in need. Traits: Generous, are managers not owners of what they have, look for ways to meet needs, merciful

Helps/Service The Spirit-given ability to serve where needed so that God's work is advanced. Traits: Servant, doer, humble

SPIRITUAL GIFTS CONTINUED… Knowledge The Spirit-given ability to receive and share biblical knowledge in various situations. Traits: Learner, insightful, lover of God's Word, analytical

Leadership The Spirit-given ability to provide God's people with vision (foresight) and oversight so that they may accomplish God's purposes. Traits: Visionary, leader, motivates others to follow

Mercy The Spirit-given ability to joyfully embrace people who are hurting, showing Christ's compassion and kindness. Traits: Caring, compassion, kind, empathetic

Pastor-Teacher/Shepherding The Spirit-given ability to nurture and care for God's people, using God's Word to guide them into Christian maturity. Traits: Discipler, mobilizer, teacher, shepherd, nurturer

Prophecy The Spirit-given ability to proclaim a message to God's people so that they are strengthened, encouraged, comforted and instructed. Traits: Bold, passionate about truth, persuasive, convicting, cares for people

Teaching The Spirit-given ability to explain God's Word with clarity, applying it with accuracy so that people grow in Christian maturity. Traits: Clear, a learner, knowledgeable

Wisdom The Spirit-given ability to speak a message that will defend the truth of the Gospel, or give insight and guidance to the church for a particular need. Traits: Perceptive, counselor, biblical thinker, wise