The Gift Giver- Week 4

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:1–11

Prepping for Group

Remember, the focus of this series is that we would know that spiritual gifts point us to the Gift Giver. As we wrap up this series we want to make sure we hit 3 points:

1. The gifts are given to glorify Jesus

2. The gifts are given to build the church

3. The gifts are given to advance the mission

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Context

Context is always important when studying Scripture. Remember that Paul is writing a letter to the Corinthian church that was struggling with sin, immaturity, misuse of spiritual gifts and abusing the Lord’s Supper. 1 Corinthians is a corrective letter and an explanation on how the gifts should operate in the church. In this passage, Paul wants to inform the believers on what some of the spiritual gifts are and later discusses what they are for and how they should operate in the church. 

 

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think Paul begins the passage with the statement, “Jesus is Lord”? What does it mean for Jesus to be Lord? Why is it important to know that Jesus is Lord before we begin to look at spiritual gifts? 

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2. In this passage, Paul names many of the spiritual gifts. Do you see any of them in some of the members of your Connect Group? Take some time to share with one another about some of the gifts you see God may have given to individuals in the group.

 

3. We’ve heard the statement several times that “Jesus is the Holy Spirit’s favorite subject”. What does that mean? What’s the relationship between Jesus and the Holy Spirit?

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4. One of the points made in the sermon Sunday is that the gifts are given to build the church. How do spiritual gifts build the church? Have you ever been encouraged by someone else’s ministry gift? Why should we use our spiritual gifts?

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5. Why is it important that we make sure that the gift is for the “common good” of the church? How can spiritual gifts begin to produce pride? What are some of the markers that the use of a gift is actually from God and good for the church? 

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6. A point that was made Sunday is that the gifts were given to advance the mission. Take a few minutes to read Acts chapter 2. What happened when the believers were baptized in the Spirit? Who heard the good news about Christ? What does this say about God’s global purpose? Why do you think it’s important that the Gospel was shared when believers were baptized in the Holy Spirit? What does this say about God’s purpose for us?
 

7. Read Ephesians 5:18. What’s the distinction between the “baptism of the Holy Spirit” and “being filled” with the Spirit? How often should we desire to be filled with the Spirit? 

 

Conclusion

As we conclude this series, take some time to pray with the group with 3 specific focuses:

1. Pray for one another that God would build us up, show us our gifts, and that we would use them to glorify God, build the church and advance His mission. 

2. Pray that Laurens County would be impacted through our ministry and pray that the Gospel would go forth to the nations. 

3. Pray for our church leadership that we will lead courageously into all God has called our church to do. 

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We love you guys so very much. We pray it’s been a great group and like we always say, the best is yet to come!