Spiritual Gifts in the Body

Jesus calls us to be fully devoted to him. Our call to salvation is also a call to ministry, but how can we get the work accomplished? The Holy Spirit has equipped us for the spiritual work of the kingdom. This session will help you…

1. Define spiritual gifts.
2. Recognize the difference between spiritual gifts, the fruit of the Spirit, and talents.
3. Explain how spiritual gifts are distributed.
4. Explain how spiritual gifts are to be used in the church.

DEFINING SPIRITUAL GIFTS:

1. Paul uses the word charasmata, meaning grace gift (1 Corinthians 12:4).
   • This gift is based on the love of the giver, not the merit of the one receiving the gift.
   • What did Paul say is the basis for receiving spiritual gifts? (Romans 12:6)
2. Gifts given are allowing believers to be equipped for ministry or service. What gifts do you read about in these passages?
   • Romans 12:6-8
   • 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30
   • Ephesians 4:11
   • 1 Peter 4:11
3. Spiritual gifts are not the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). While we will never exhibit all of the gifts, we should seek to develop and manifest all the fruit of the Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:29-30).
   • Spiritual fruit represents the kinds of people we are to be.
   • Spiritual gifts emphasize what we are equipped to do.
4. Spiritual gifts are different from talents.
   • Talents are given at physical birth, and will be developed throughout life.
     • Believers and unbelievers possess talents.
     • Talents are present where there is no commitment to Christ.
   • Spiritual gifts are given when someone is born again, “from above” (John 3:3, 16).
     • Only believers possess spiritual gifts.
     • Only believers use their gifts in service to God and his church.
   • Every believer has at least one spiritual gift (1 Peter 4:10).
   • How spiritual gifts are distributed (1 Corinthians 12:7).
5. Spiritual gifts are not to be coveted (1 Corinthians 12:14-26).
   • No one should take pride in their gift.
   • No one should envy the gift of another.
   • God knows how best to get his work done, by whom; to work effectively and efficiently.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION:

1. Every believer should discover and know their spiritual gifts.
2. Every believer should know how to serve in the kingdom and the role; to build up (edify) the church (1 Corinthians 14:12).
   • The word is also in Ephesians 4:11-12.
   • The lack of building up would be to accept immaturity and false teaching in the church (Ephesians 4:14).
   • We are to be equipped to do the work we are called to do (Ephesians 4:11).
   • What is our maturity standard? (Ephesians 4:13)
3. Every believer is called to care for one another in the body (1 Corinthians 12:25-26).
   • We are all in this together and effect one another.
   • When one stubs a toe, it affects the whole body.
   • Interdependence is the key, which is not independence.
   • What was Paul’s charge to Timothy? (2 Timothy 1:6).
   • What warning does John give? (1 John 4:1).
   • What should be present in the life of a believer? (1 Corinthians 14:1)
4. Every believer should develop the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
   • What might that look like in the church? (Ephesians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 12:25).
   • More on spiritual gifts can be found here.