Sermon Discussion Guide – October 13, 2013
Sermon Title / “A Gift For You”Scripture / 1 Corinthians 12 - Message
Key Verse(s): “God’s various gifts are handed out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various ministries are carried out everywhere; but they all originate in God’s Spirit. God’s various expressions of power are in action everywhere; but God himself is behind it all. Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits.” 1 Cor. 12: 4-7.
Summary: God is generous with spiritual gifts and what God offers to us is to be used to show who God is and to build up Christ’s body – the church. Each gift is originated by the Holy Spirit. There are many gifts and some people have more than one gift but no gifts are more superior than another. We are invited to be part of what God offers.
Discussion Starters: Last week we discussed how Jesus was sent to seek and save what was lost. This week we discussed how God sent us different gifts to show who God is. How do we use these gifts to do that? Is it easy to believe that we are using our gifts our own way instead of being sensitive to God’s plan? By using our gifts, how do we seek and help others?
Read and Discuss
Unless otherwise noted, scriptures have been researched and referenced based on the New International Version (NIV); however any translation is perfectly acceptable to use for discussion.
Psalm 112:9, James 1:17 and Matt 7:9-11 – In reading both the Old and New Testament verses, what does this say about God’s gifts and what does it say about the gifts He has given us? Do we sometimes wish for what we consider to be a better gift? Also, do we withhold these gifts from our families or others and if so, why do you think this is? How do we do this?
Romans 12:4-8 – As Christians, we are supposed to live and work together building each other up. How can we use our gifts that God has given us to show God’s love? When we connect with other Christians, what happens in our church? How do we build Christ’s Church together?
Eph. 4:11-13 and 1 Peter 4:10 – God gave His church an enormous responsibility to build up His church everywhere? Why is it important not to be envious of others’ gifts but to work together in this responsibility God gave us? How are we led back to the Lord when we lead others?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we praise you for each gift that you have so generously given to us. Please help each of us to truly understand our gifts and help us to use these gifts for your glory. Also help us to work together as one body so we can accomplish more together. Help us to remember that when we become more like you, the more love we will show to others. Be with us as we use our gifts to serve you and others. Amen.