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Fusion@FFWB
“GIFTED TO SERVE”
Locations & Times
First freewill baptist Church
901 N Bonner St, Washington, NC 27889, USA
Saturday 9:00 AM
Begin the session by asking your group members to share unique talents, abilities, or skills they possess. For instance, someone may be able to touch their nose with their tongue; another may be “double-jointed;” another may be able to fly a plane; etc.
TRANSITION: While we are similar in many ways, we each have specific gifts and abilities others may not have. Today we will learn about the special gifts God has given us with which to serve Him.
TRANSITION: While we are similar in many ways, we each have specific gifts and abilities others may not have. Today we will learn about the special gifts God has given us with which to serve Him.
1. There Are Many Spiritual Gifts, All Given by the Same Holy Spirit
(1 Corinthians 12:1-11)
By definition, spiritual gifts are gracious endowments given to believers by the Holy Spirit to enable them to perform service for the building of the church and the kingdom of God. It was important for the Corinthians to know where these gifts came from, what they looked like, and how they were to be used.
Concerning Spiritual Gifts
1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
EXPLORE: There are other partial lists of gifts given in Scripture. Consider Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11, and 1 Peter 4:10-11.
Romans 12:6-8
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Ephesians 4:11-13
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
1 Peter 4:10-11
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
APPLY: We each have spiritual gifts to use for the glory of God and the benefit of the church.
• How can we come to know which gifts the Spirit has given us to serve Him and His church?
• What might happen in our church if all of us use our gifts and abilities to serve God and help build His kingdom?
• How does it make you feel to know God has gifted you and wants you to be part of what He is doing in the world?
(1 Corinthians 12:1-11)
By definition, spiritual gifts are gracious endowments given to believers by the Holy Spirit to enable them to perform service for the building of the church and the kingdom of God. It was important for the Corinthians to know where these gifts came from, what they looked like, and how they were to be used.
Concerning Spiritual Gifts
1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed.2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols.3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them.5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit,9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
EXPLORE: There are other partial lists of gifts given in Scripture. Consider Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11, and 1 Peter 4:10-11.
Romans 12:6-8
6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith;7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach;8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Ephesians 4:11-13
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
1 Peter 4:10-11
10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
APPLY: We each have spiritual gifts to use for the glory of God and the benefit of the church.
• How can we come to know which gifts the Spirit has given us to serve Him and His church?
• What might happen in our church if all of us use our gifts and abilities to serve God and help build His kingdom?
• How does it make you feel to know God has gifted you and wants you to be part of what He is doing in the world?
2. There Is One Body, Made Up of Many Parts
(1 Corinthians 12:12-26)
The body of Christ is pictured as unity that depends on diversity. It depends on each one functioning in a unique role. It was imperative for the Corinthian believers to focus on unity rather than their diversity. Unique gifts and individuals are to be celebrated.
Unity and Diversity in the Body
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.19 If they were all one part, where would the body be?20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
APPLY: Recognize that every believer has an important role to play in the body of Christ.
• While some roles seem to be more vital than others, why is it true that every role is important to the health of the church?
• How does it make you feel to know you have an important role in God’s kingdom?
(1 Corinthians 12:12-26)
The body of Christ is pictured as unity that depends on diversity. It depends on each one functioning in a unique role. It was imperative for the Corinthian believers to focus on unity rather than their diversity. Unique gifts and individuals are to be celebrated.
Unity and Diversity in the Body
12 Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ.13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.14 Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.
15 Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?18 But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.19 If they were all one part, where would the body be?20 As it is, there are many parts, but one body.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty,24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it,25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other.26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
APPLY: Recognize that every believer has an important role to play in the body of Christ.
• While some roles seem to be more vital than others, why is it true that every role is important to the health of the church?
• How does it make you feel to know you have an important role in God’s kingdom?
3. Each Part of the Body Should Fulfill Its Particular Role
(1 Corinthians 12:27-31)
God has placed each of us in His body, the church, and He has given us gifts to use for His glory.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
Love Is Indispensable
And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
APPLY: Do what God has gifted you to do and encourage others to use their gifts to serve.
• For those that have determined their specific giftedness in the body, share how you reached those conclusions and how God has used you since that time.
• How can we as the church do a more effective job of encouraging others in the fulfillment of their giftedness?
(1 Corinthians 12:27-31)
God has placed each of us in His body, the church, and He has given us gifts to use for His glory.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it.28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles?30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret?31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
Love Is Indispensable
And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
APPLY: Do what God has gifted you to do and encourage others to use their gifts to serve.
• For those that have determined their specific giftedness in the body, share how you reached those conclusions and how God has used you since that time.
• How can we as the church do a more effective job of encouraging others in the fulfillment of their giftedness?
Encourage the group to spend time this week trying to discern what spiritual gifts they possess. There are numerous resources available, including these links to free surveys: bit.ly/CGI-SpiritualGifts or bit.ly/SpiritualGiftsSurvey.
Once the gifts have been discovered, encourage each group member to talk about the results with the appropriate leader at your church.
Ask the following:
• What truth about spiritual gifts stands out to you most after studying this passage of Scripture?
• If already serving, do you feel you are serving in the “sweet spot” of your giftedness? If not, what church leader could you talk with this week about serving in your area of giftedness?
• If you are not presently serving in the ministries of your church, what ministry would you be willing to learn more about or try for a few weeks to see if you might be gifted to serve in that ministry?
Once the gifts have been discovered, encourage each group member to talk about the results with the appropriate leader at your church.
Ask the following:
• What truth about spiritual gifts stands out to you most after studying this passage of Scripture?
• If already serving, do you feel you are serving in the “sweet spot” of your giftedness? If not, what church leader could you talk with this week about serving in your area of giftedness?
• If you are not presently serving in the ministries of your church, what ministry would you be willing to learn more about or try for a few weeks to see if you might be gifted to serve in that ministry?