Day 40

RECEIVE POWER FOR SERVICE!

·  THE HOLY SPIRIT EQUIPS ALL BELIEVERS TO “SERVE IN SPECIAL WAYS”

GOD’S WORD: Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.

If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. (Romans 12:4-8, NIV)

REFLECTION-DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What does it mean to speak of Jesus’ community of faith as the “body of Christ”?

2. What is the gift of “prophesying” and whom do I know who seems gifted for “prophesying”?

3. What is the gift of “serving” and whom do I know who seems gifted for “serving”?

4. What is the gift of “teaching” and whom do I know who seems gifted for “teaching”?

5. What is the gift of “encouraging” and whom do I know who seems gifted for “encouraging”?

6. What is the gift of “contributing to the needs of others” and whom do I know who seems gifted for “contributing to the needs of others”?

7. What is the gift of “leadership” and whom do I know who seems gifted for “leadership”?

8. What is the gift of “showing mercy” and whom do I know who seems gifted with “showing mercy”?

·  JESUS’ FOLLOWERS SERVE THE LORD “WITHIN THE BODY OF CHRIST”

GOD’S WORD: But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says: “When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train and gave gifts to men.”

(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.)

It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 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. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

(Ephesians 4:7-16, NIV)

REFLECTION-DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1.  What do I understand to be the most common title for men and women who “take the gospel to new regions and cultures”?

2.  What do I understand it means to have the gift for being a “prophet”?

3.  What do I understand it means to have the gift for being an “evangelist” and whom do I know who seems uniquely gifted as an “evangelist”?

4.  What do I understand it means to have the gift for being a “pastor” and whom do I know who seems uniquely gifted as a “pastor”?

5.  What do I understand it mean to have the gift for being a “teacher” and whom do I know who seems uniquely gifted as a “teacher”?

·  THE HOLY SPIRIT HELPS US “RECOGNIZE AND USE OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS”

GOD’S WORD: I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did, with a clear conscience,

as night and day I constantly remember you in my prayers. Recalling your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your other Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.

(2 Timothy 1:3-7, NIV)

1.  How might my parents, especially if they are spiritually inclined, help me discover or nurture my unique “spiritual gifts”?

2.  How can I help “fan the flame” for the powerful use of my unique spiritual gifts and for others as well?

3.  How does our “overcoming timidity” with the power of “love and self-discipline” relate to the effective use of my unique spiritual gifts? Wha

4.  As I review my personal “natural and spiritual gifts,” what are some special ways I feel equipped and called by the Lord to serve him?

5.  As we review my personal “spiritual gifts and experiences” within the body of Christ, what are some roles which I am beginning to feel the Lord has uniquely equipped me for and in which he may be calling me to serve him?

6.  What resources within the community of faith may be available to help me more clearly “recognize and be empowered by my spiritual gifts”?