Just as you are born with natural abilities and aptitudes, you are gifted at your spiritual new birth. The Spirit of God comes to live inside every believer and the Spirit also gives each one a gift. It is part of our lives’ purpose: to know and grow in our gifts, using them for the benefit of the Body of Christ and bringing glory to God.
What you will need: A Bible or your Bible app, a notebook, pen, and highlighter. The verses highlighted below are linked so that you can easily access them during your study time.
Jump Start
Leader: This section is designed to get discussions started, examine God’s truth, and apply it to our week. Life Group leaders should not assume everyone in their group is a Christ follower. Because they are taking part in a Life Group, they must have some openness to knowing more, exploring. Pray for the Holy Spirit to work and let Him lead you as well.
1. Name a gift you wanted badly but were sorely disappointed in it. Now, the reverse: one gift you underestimated when you received but found particularly useful in the end!
2. Spiritual gifts are supernatural. Read 1 Corinthians 12:1 and 11. Would you say you are “informed” or “uninformed” on the gifts of the Spirit? Do you have an idea what your gift(s) is? How did you receive your gift?
Leader Note: Spiritual gifts are a part of our inheritance or birthright when we become believers. The Spirit gives us all at least one gift. (NOTE: we can operate in any gift if needed, but we are empowered in at least one. For example, everyone can serve, but not all are “built” primarily to serve. Same with mercy, faith, etc. In a specific instance, God the Spirit might empower you to a supernatural word of wisdom, faith, or touch of healing,) People can be “informed” about the gifts in general but unsure or “uninformed” about their personal gifts. The Spirit gives us gifts when we accept Jesus as Savior, and He comes to indwell us. It is up to Him which gift we receive.
3. Spiritual gifts are most fruitful when accepted. Read 1 Peter 4:10-11 and Ephesians 4:11-13. Once the gifts have been given, who controls their usage or disuse? How can you put yourself in a position to use your gifts? What happens when they are used correctly?
Leader Note: Each believer chooses to use or not use his or her gift. We are “stewards” or managers of them. However, we are not superheroes. We don’t control them; the Spirit empowers and controls them. We can position ourselves by being tight with the Spirit in prayer and daily quiet time, and by being where we can pray or serve or use our gifts. We can use them incorrectly and cause confusion and disunity in the church, lording our special giftings over others, boasting in our abilities. But if used correctly, they bring glory to God, they build up the Body of Christ (His Church), they bring us into unity, and they mature us in the faith, making us more like Jesus.
4. Spiritual gifts are rooted in the Spirit, not in us. Read 1 Corinthians 12:8-9, 21-26, 1 Peter 4:11, and 1 Corinthians 4:7, 13:4. No matter your gift, what can you be sure of? No matter what your gift is, what must be your attitude? What is a very real outcome of gift comparison? If the gifts are not for our individual benefit, who are they for? What happens when the gifts operate correctly?
Leader Note: Every gift is not only given by the Spirit but empowered every time it is used by that same Spirit. He is with you every time you are called to use your gift. For example, He gives wisdom and the words to speak into a certain situation at exactly the right time. No matter what, you can be assured the Spirit will be with you, lead you, and empower you as you operate in your gifts as He directs. Your attitude must be one of gratitude and worship, using it to glorify God. Bragging, boasting, or pride do not have any place in the believer’s life. Thankfulness that God is using you is the proper attitude.
People sometimes honor others who have the “power gifts” like healing or tongues. Or people wish they had the more verbal, visible gifts like preaching and teaching. Sometimes, we don’t even notice people with the gifts of mercy, serving, or administration. In other cases, we don’t value gifts that we don’t have. For example, if you have the gift of mercy and take unlimited amounts of time caring for others, others with the gift of leadership or administration can become frustrated because you are late or you don’t focus on the details that matter to them! We should honor each other and every gift because God has made the body and gifted the body exactly how He expects it to work. When we treat every part of the body and every spiritual gift as indispensable, there is unity. We rejoice with one another and care for each other when we are hurting.
5. This Week: The hope for you as a believer and for our Cove Family is that we will each seek God and pursue His plan, that we would accept and use the gifts He has given us. If you are committed to growing in your spiritual gift, tell your Life Group. Pray this prayer and then individually work through the Deeper section below.
Father God: Thank You for salvation and eternal life through Your Son, Jesus Christ. Thank You for living within me by Your Holy Spirit. Thank You for the gifts, the weapons, the empowering that You have promised to me and given me at my new birth into You. I am committing to seeking You and I expectantly believe You will reveal to me the gifts You have given. I commit to learning about the gifts, feeling Your nudges and confirmation. I commit to begin moving, serving, checking out areas where You lead me. I ask Your Spirit to fill me to overflowing and lead me in Your way. In Jesus' Name I pray.Amen.
Deeper
Leader: This section is designed for further use in your Life Group or for personal study. These can also be used as discussion points and ways to stay connected with your group throughout the week. Encourage your group to take time daily to walk through these questions.
6. Do you have an idea of your spiritual gift(s)? If not, start here:
a. Pray the prayer above repeatedly, and daily, in your quiet time.
b. Start studying the spiritual gifts and see what God impresses on your heart. 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4:1-16, and 1 Peter 4:7-11
c. Start serving somewhere. God can direct you as you take a step on a journey to seek and serve Him.
7. If you know your gift and use it regularly, write down what positions you in the place to hear God and use your gift. Where are you most effective and most likely to be used? Will you commit to remaining in that place so that you will bring glory to God and bring life and the peace of God to others?
8. If you know your gift and do not use it, exam your life. Where is God convicting you of sin, pride, or lack of passion?