Bible Study

Title: Faith and Spiritual Gifts
Date: Sep 19, 2005
Topic(s): Faith/Trust
Scripture: Ephesians 4:4-8

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John Henry Newman, a 19th century pastor and writer, declared: "Life is not long enough for a religion of inferences; we shall never have done beginning, if we determine to begin with proof.... Life is for action. If we insist on proofs for everything, we shall never come to action: to act you must assume, and that assumption is faith."

As you receive Christ by faith, you must also live out the Christian life by faith. This includes the exercise of your spiritual gifts.

What Does God Say?

The apostle Paul writes:

"We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have all been called to the same glorious future. There is only one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father, who is over us all and in us all and living through us all. However, he has given each one of us a special gift according to the generosity of Christ. That is why the Scriptures say,

'When he ascended to the heights,
he led a crowd of captives
and gave gifts to his people'" (Ephesians 4:4-8, NLT ).

• List at least two things that all Christians have the "same."
• Who are "his people"?
• If you are one of "his people," what have you received?

My Thoughts

The last sentence in the passage above is a statement of fact. Will you believe it? If so, draw a picture (stick figures are fine) showing yourself exercising your gift.

My Part

Thank God for giving you His gift(s). You might want to pray something like this: "Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift You've given me. I would ask that You show me how and where You want me to practice that gift. Amen."

Check the calendar and write the date seven days from today. Plan on using your gift within these next seven days.

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