Because of their importance to the healthy function of the church body, there is frequent mention of the gifts of the Holy
Spirit. Paul lists spiritual gifts four times (Rom 12:6-8; 1 Cor 12:8-10, 28; Eph 4:11) and Peter speaks of it only once (1
Pet 4:11).
1. Why do you go to church? For the music? For your friends? For the pastor's message? While these are not wrong reasons to
attend church, the apostle Paul explains God's purpose of spiritual gifts and the importance of attending church. What do you
observe?
For just as we have many parts in one body and all the body's parts do not have the same function,
so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually parts of one another. (Rom 12:4-5, NASB)
But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is
given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; to another
faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, and to another the effecting of miracles, and to
another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the
interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just
as He wills. (1 Cor 12:7-11, NASB)
So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual gifts, seek to abound for the edification of the
church. (1 Cor 14:12, NASB)
2. Natural talents are similar to spiritual gifts in that they are endowed by God. Natural talents are developed by training.
How do you develop your spiritual gift? Circle the words that help you observation of the passage.
In pointing out these things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus,
constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have been following. But stay away from
worthless stories that are typical of old women. Rather, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; for bodily training
is just slightly beneficial, but godliness is beneficial for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also
for the life to come. (1 Tim 4:6-8, NASB)
3. To discover all of the spiritual gifts that God bestows, gather all of the biblical data on a table. List your observations.
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the
multifaceted grace of God. Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking actual words of God; whoever
serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be
glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Pet 4:10-11, NASB) |
One who is speaking |
One who is serving |
However, since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, each of us is to use
them properly: if prophecy, in proportion to one's faith; if service, in the act of serving; or the one who teaches,
in the act of teaching; or the one who exhorts, in the work of exhortation; the one who gives, with generosity; the
one who is in leadership, with diligence; the one who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. (Rom 12:6-8, NASB) |
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For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge
according to the same Spirit; to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to
another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. (1 Cor 12:8-10, NASB) |
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And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles,
then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, and various kinds of tongues. All are not apostles, are they? All are
not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? All do not have
gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? But earnestly desire
the greater gifts. (1 Cor 12:28-31, NASB) |
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And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers,
for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the building up of the body of Christ; (Eph 4:11-12, NASB) |
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