1. God’s Will and the Church
November 3

2. Advice?
When have you been given advice that you’re glad you didn’t ignore?
God reveals His plans for us through His church, the Body of Believers.
In addition to scripture and God’s Holy Spirit, He can reveal His will in other ways.
Mature believers can often give good direction and guidance.

3. Listen for reference to the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:1-3 (NIV) Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I tell you 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. The Holy Spirit Works through Believers
What is the subject matter under discussion in this portion of the letter and what might have led Paul to address it?
What did Paul remind his readers about their spiritual past? What was the condition of the Corinthians when they were pagans?

5. The Holy Spirit Works through Believers
What confession is evidence of the Spirit’s dwelling within a person? What is the only way a person can say, "Jesus is Lord"?
Recall again the Campus Crusade diagram of the true Spiritual man

6. The Holy Spirit Works through Believers
What reasons exist that Christians today are ignorant about Spiritual gifts?
The Corinthians were led astray before they became believers, and may have still struggled with some of those influences. What are some sources people listen to that may lead believers astray today?

7. Listen for concepts of unity and diversity.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (NIV) There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

8. God’s Work through Us in the Church
So what things were specified different, what things were the same?
Why does Paul use different words to talk about something that is a “gift”? What does use of these different words have to say about the purpose of spiritual gifts?
What did Paul say that suggests spiritual gifts are functional and pragmatic?
Different
The Same

9. God’s Work through Us in the Church
How have you seen the principle in these verses play out in your church?
How would it affect a church, making it different if every believer understood and exercised his/her spiritual gift?

10. Listen for the variety of spiritual gifts.
1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (NIV) Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the 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,

11. Listen for the variety of spiritual gifts.
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 gives them to each one, just as he determines.

12. God’s Spirit Gifts in a Great Variety
What is another phrase in which Paul refers to spiritual gifts?
What about the pattern of the list suggests that not everyone has every gift?
Let’s list the specific gifts enumerated by Paul in this passage

13. God’s Spirit Gifts in a Great Variety
Now consider implications
Gift
Meaning and Implications
Wisdom
Knowledge
Faith
Healing
Miraculous powers
Prophecy
Distinguish spirits
Languages
Interpretation
Put facts together for wise decisions
Gain new understanding from Scripture
Trust God in face of impossibilities
Successful prayer for sick people
Demonstrate God’s power supernaturally
Speak God’s message to others
Recognize presence/absence of an evil spirit
Good linguist, ecstatic utterances
Interpret someone’s public speaking in tongues

14. God’s Spirit Gifts in a Great Variety
What could you say to someone who admits they are struggling with the feeling that they had nothing to offer to the ministry of their church?
A Spiritual Gifts Inventory questionnaire is available from LifeWay at
How can our group best use our gifts to serve Christ and His church?

15. Applications Video
View Video

16. Application
Reflect.
Reflect on what God may have been saying to you recently though other people.
Thank God for the believers He has placed around you to walk alongside you.

17. Application
Pray.
Keep a prayer list of other people’s needs and decisions.
Pray regularly and specifically that they would see what God desires and obediently follow God’s plan.

18. Application
Serve.
Use the gift(s) God has given you to serve His body.
You don’t have to know what your gift is in order to serve; begin to serve in an area where your heart is drawn and your gift will manifest itself.

19. Family Activities
Well … I believe you need to do the Crossword Puzzle … just sayin’. But there’s other good options on the Family Activities page. Look it up at with the QR code here.

20. God’s Will and the Church
November 3