Teaching, Evangelism, Prophecy, and Wisdom

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LEADER’S GUIDE

Week #28 Leader’s Guide – October 30, 2016 Straight Talk: Bold Letters to the Corinthians SDBC Community Groups

“Teaching, Evangelism, Prophecy, and Wisdom” Key Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:21-26 21

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”, nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honourable we bestow the greater honour, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honour to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honoured, all rejoice together.

DEFINITIONS:

TEACHING: How we interpret and teach the will of God that is found in Scripture. Connecting dots and applying biblical truths to people’s lives. EVANGELISM: Sharing the gospel with non-believers. Being able to connect dots for people who have no prior experience/knowledge of Jesus. PROPHECY: Spontaneous message that God lays on your heart, or prompts you to speak up. WISDOM: Ability to see situations or issues the way God sees them. Being able to offer godly perspectives on a given situation based on Scriptural truth.

2016 South Delta Baptist Church

Straight Talk

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Do you know anyone who has the gift of teaching (according to the abovementioned definition)? In what areas or ministries do these people usually serve within the church?

2. Historically, we have seen many people gifted with the gift of teaching. Think of people like John Chrysostom, Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Charles Swindoll, John Piper, and Matt Chandler. They all have this gift and use it for building up the church by preaching God’s Word. On the other hand, there are countless people who have built up the church without ever standing behind a pulpit and never standing in the spotlight but still using the gift of teaching within the church. Is there a difference between these “celebrity pastors” and an average Joe Sunday school teacher? Read vv. 21-26 and discuss what you think Paul is saying here.

3. If you have the gift of teaching, and you’re not called to vocational ministry, where how can you use your gift to build up the church in love?

4. How do you develop the gift of teaching in someone?

5. Do you know anyone with the gift of evangelism? How do you know if someone has this gift?

6. What role do people with this gift play in the church? Why are these people vitally important to the health of the church?

7. How do you develop the gift of evangelism in someone?

8. Prophecy is defined by Wayne Grudem in this way: "[Prophecy] should be defined not as ‘predicting the future,’ nor as ‘proclaiming a word from the Lord’ nor as ‘powerful preaching’—but rather as ‘telling something that God has spontaneously brought to mind.’” Do you know anyone who has the gift of prophecy?

9. How can this gift be used to build up the church?

2016 South Delta Baptist Church

Straight Talk

10. How would you develop this gift in someone?

11. In 1 Thessalonians 5:20-21, Paul writes, “Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good.” Why would Paul tell his readers to test prophecies? Compare this with what it says in Acts 17:11. How should we respond when someone says, “I feel God prompting me to tell you this…”

12. Do you know anyone with the gift of wisdom?

13. Read 1 Kings 3:16-28, Acts 6:1-7, and Exodus 18:13-23. What are the fruits of these words of wisdom? What benefit did the congregation receive because of words of wisdom?

14. How do words of wisdom help build up our church?

15. How can we develop the gift of wisdom?

2016 South Delta Baptist Church

Straight Talk