Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts
An Introduction to Spiritual Gifts
Week of Sunday, April 17, 2005
This Week’s Scripture Reading
1 Corinthians 12:1-7
"1 And now, dear brothers and sisters, I will write about the special abilities the Holy Spirit give to each of us, for I must correct your misunderstandings about them. 2 You know that when you were still pagans you were led astray and swept along in worshipping speechless idols. 3 So I want you to know how to discern what is truly from God: No one speaking by the Spirit of God can curse Jesus, and no one is able to say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit."
"4 Now there are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but it is the same Holy Spirit who is the source of them all. 5 There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving. 6 There are different ways God works in our lives, but it is the same God who does the work through all of us. 7 A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church."
Prayers for the Week:
Sunday |
Heavenly Father, I thank You for who You are and what You have done in my life. Help me not to be ignorant to all the things You have for me. May I come to know your gifts and operate in the fullness of your blessing. I ask this in Jesus' name. . . amen. |
Monday |
Gracious God, I thank You for giving me Your Holy Spirit! I ask that I would continually be led by Him, and walk in His ways. I want to be full of Your Spirit and overflow with His love and His grace. . . In Jesus' name I pray . . . amen. |
Tuesday |
Holy Spirit, I thank You for the spiritual gifts that You have given me. I am so grateful that You desire to use me to reach others and to be a blessing to them. Help me to follow You today so that others may see Your work. . . In Jesus' name. . . amen. |
Wednesday |
Dear Jesus, I worship You. I thank You for saving me. I ask that by the help of Your Spirit, that You would help me to be able to build up your church by edifying others. May we all be strengthened by You. In Your name I ask this. . . amen. |
Thursday |
Heavenly Father, I ask that You would help me to be able to both discover and cultivate the spiritual gifts that You have given me. I want to know exactly who You created me to be, and what You created me to do. In Jesus' name. . . amen. |
Friday |
Dear God, Thank You for all the blessings that I enjoy each day. Help me to use what You have given me for Your glory and honor. I want to please You with the spiritual gifts that You have given me... I ask this In Jesus' name. . . amen. |
Saturday |
Dear Jesus, I yield myself completely to You. I ask that You would use me so that I may be a blessing to others. May I walk in the Holy Spirit at all time, and know His ways. I ask this in Your name. . . amen. |
Background on the Text
1 Corinthians was written by the apostle Paul to a church in the city of Corinth (modern day Greece), which faced a variety of problems. This epistle is probably the most "problem centered" letter in the New Testament which Paul writes to address issues within the church. One of the great strengths of the Corinthian church was that many of the people were operating freely in the power and gifts of the Holy Spirit, but an issue that arose from this was that people were creating an atmosphere of chaos rather than order. Every individual seemed to be more concerned about their own personal edification rather than the edification, or the "building up," of the entire congregation. Because of this error, Paul needed to provide an explanation to them regarding the purpose of spiritual gifts and how they were to be used. 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14 provide some of the best material in the Bible as to the nature of spiritual gifts, and how they should operate among the body of Christ. Paul's writing to the Corinthian church should be the normative approach every healthy congregation should have concerning the operation of spiritual gifts.
Monday
Observation: What does the text say?
Tuesday
Interpretation: What do these verses mean?
Wednesday
Application: How can I respond to the text’s insights and teachings?
Thursday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
Encouraged and strengthened me by:
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Fallen short areas
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What will I do with these insights?
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Friday
After reading and studying this text, reflect on the following discipleship growth points:
What did God say to me this week?
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Share insights and growth points
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Changed/transformed how?
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Saturday
Reflective Thoughts