Overview
In this eight-session study, you will begin to look for and recognize your spiritual gifts and the gifts of others. You will then consider how to practically use these gifts to glorify God in your relationships, your work, and your world.
Introduction
Getting the Most Out of Spiritual Gifts
This section introduces the topic, explains the structure followed in each study and offers tips for those approaching the study on their own as well as those participating in a group.
Part 1: Discovery
Session One
What Are Spiritual Gifts?
Paul says to the Corinthians that the church is not "like a body" but rather is the body of Christ. Through the Spirit, each person has a vital contribution to make to the whole. What is your personal response to the statement that "each one" is given a manifestation of the Spirit?
1 Corinthians 12
Session Two
Equipping the Saints for Ministry
What do you think is the reason people in the church are often content with the status quo, with being consumers of good sermons and spine-tingling worship rather than entering into the full inheritance of the people of God?
Ephesians 4:1-16
Session Three
Discovering Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual gifts are the empowering of the Spirit through the whole person God has created. Thus we are not likely to discover these gifts if we do not know ourselves. What is the role of self-examination and of affirmation from others in discovering spiritual gifts?
Romans 12:1-13; 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22
Session Four
Those Controversial Gifts
What is your greatest hope or your greatest fear when you consider the spontaneous and supernatural expressions of Spirit-ministry in the life of your group or church?
1 Corinthians 14:1-33
Part 2: Practice
Session Five
Spiritual Gifts for Liberation
Why do you think bringing good news to the poor is so central to authentic biblical Christianity? How could you use your spiritual gifts to bring good news to the poor?
Isaiah 61:1-9; Luke 4:14-21
Session Six
Spiritual Gifts in Relationships
Which of the "works of the sinful nature [flesh]" are most evident in your workplace, your society, your church, and your own home? Why is it important for you to identify the exact nature of the tension and conflict that you daily experience, and not just cover it up?
Galatians 5:16-26
Session Seven
Spiritual Gifts in the Workplace
Many believers feel motivated to serve God wholeheartedly in church services and religious activities but lack passion about their daily work in the world. Why do you think it might be important to have a Spirit-gift for work and not just Spirit-infilling for worship services or pastoral ministry?
Exodus 31:1-11; 35:4-19; 35:30–36:7
Session Eight
Spiritual Gifts in Witness
What is the effect on the international gathering of the Holy Spirit's outpouring on the believers? What do we learn from this critical incident about the ministry of evangelism?
Acts 2:1-21, 37-47
Total number of pages: 64
R. Paul Stevens is Professor Emeritus, Marketplace Theology, Regent College (Vancouver, BC) and Marketplace Ministry Mentor. He has worked as a carpenter and small businessman and served as the pastor of an inner city church in Montreal. He has written many books and Bible studies, incuding the LifeGuide® Bible Studies 1 Corinthians (with Dan Williams), 2 Corinthians, End Times, and Job.
