Bible Study

Title: Concerning Spiritual Gifts
Date: Mar 16, 2010
Topic(s): Service/Servanthood
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Peter 4:10-11, Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:7-16, Colossians 3:1-4

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The apostle Paul begins 1 Corinthians 12 with these words: "Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed" (1 Corinthians 12:1, ESV).

Why would Paul believe it was so important for believers to be educated about spiritual gifts?

Well, if you are uninterested or uninformed about them...

...you may think spiritual gifts are for your own benefit, or

...you may believe you can earn a spiritual gift, or

...you may feel you should be praying for some special gift, or

...you may have the opinion that certain special gifts are to be possessed by each and every believer, or

...you may think that the gift of tongues is a sign that you are filled with the Holy Spirit, or

...you may believe that the Holy Spirit is waiting for every believer to ask for a special gift, or

...you may think that spiritual gifts are something that God gives only to "super-believers," or

...you may simply feel the whole subject doesn't concern you.

What Does God Say?

To find out some of the things God wants you to know about spiritual gifts, take this quiz. Read the verses and write down your answers:

• Which of the following verses show that every Christian has at least one spiritual gift?
• Ephesians 4:7
• 1 Corinthians 12:7
• 1 Peter 4:10
• 1 Corinthians 12:11
• None of the above

• To what does Paul compare the Church in 1 Corinthians 12:14-27?

• Which of the following passages of Scripture does NOT speak about gifts?
• Ephesians 4:11
• Romans 12:3-8
• Colossians 3:1-4
• 1 Corinthians 12:1-27

• What five gifts to the Church are mentioned in Ephesians 4:11?

• What three "varieties" (ESV) or "differences" (KJV) do you find in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6?

My Thoughts

Spiritual gifts are gifts of grace, unearned and undeserved by those who receive them. They are totally controlled and authorized by the Triune God and are distributed to each and every believer by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of serving and building up the Body of Christ, the Church.

As you have opportunity to study the Bible Minutes over the next several days, you will become more and more acquainted with God's wonderful plan for using spiritual gifts for the Church's service, direction and growth in Christ. Hopefully, you will come to a deeper understanding of what gift or gifts you have been given for service, both in your local church and as a member of Christ's Body worldwide.

My Part

As a believer in Christ, you have at least one, possibly more than one, spiritual gift that you have received to use for God's glory. Your gift is not the same as your natural talent (although it could be closely related in some cases).

Study the instructions and principles about gifts in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12:3-8, Ephesians 4:7-16 and 1 Peter 4:10-11. Begin to do some thinking about what gift you may have been given and how you can use it to minister to others. Ask other believers what they think your gift or gifts might be.

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