1. Into Our History

Suggested Icebreakers:

Imagine Oasis is planning a summer outreach event in the park, complete with food, kids games, music and a salvation message. What role would you most like to play in this event? (Discuss the importance of different people doing different tasks.)
Tell of a time when you attempted and failed at something for which you had little or no ability. (Discuss the importance of ability to success at a task.)

2. Into the Bible

a. What is a spiritual gift?

Answer: A spiritual gift is a special, God-given ability or talent to accomplish a specific task. Most often, but not always, spiritual gifts shadow the natural abilities, interests and passions with which each of us is born. The Bible also teaches us in I Corinthians 14:32 that spiritual gifts are subject to the individual, meaning we decide whether or not to utilize our gifts.

b. Read Romans 12:3 – 8.

1. We must think soberly about our gifts (vs.3)

· If we were to be quite literal, Paul is saying,

“I say to everyone, do not super-think about yourself.”

Or,

“Do not get hyper about yourself.”

· Question: Why should our gifts be exercise with the utmost humility?

· Answer: They are grace given (vs.6, 3), distributed to us according to God’s will (cf. 1 Cor 12:11) and therefore have no origin in ourselves.

2. We must think collectively about our gifts (vss.4-5)

· Romans 12:4-5 (as well as 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 12:13-27 and Ephesians 4:12-16) compares the use of spiritual gifts to the different parts of the human body, emphasizing that every part is essential, and tell us the two purposes of spiritual gifts are to 1) glorify God, and 2) edify, or build up the Body of Christ.

· Question: Given the analogy of the human body for how gifts are to function, why is it necessary that our spiritual gifts are used for others in the context of a local church?

· Answer: If you separate a member from the body from the rest of the body, that member no longer functions. Also, to separate a member from the body from the rest of the body handicaps the rest of the body. In the same way, each member and gift within the church is interdependent. If that member remains inactive or uninvolved, it affects themselves as well as the body as a whole.

3. We must think strategically about our gifts (vss.6-8)

· Paul insists that we be active: “Each of us is to exercise them accordingly…according to the proportion of our faith.”

· Paul insists that we be accurate: It’s important to know what we’ve been gifted with. Paul mentions 7 in this passage (There are several lists of spiritual gifts are found in scripture, and can be found in I Corinthians 12:8-10, 28; Ephesians 4:11; and I Peter 4:10-11).

· Leader: At this point (time permitting), you might want to ask those present if they think they have any of the gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8. If ‘yes’ or ‘no,’ make the application in the next section.

3. Into Our Lives

a. If people have not discovered (or are unsure) they spiritual gift, encourage them to do the following things:

1. Enroll in Oasis’ three-week Discovery course.

2. Ask God to show you what gifts He has given you.

3. Experiment with different ministries to find your “fit.”

4. Observe your level of enjoyment and effectiveness.

5. Expect confirmation from other Christians.

b. If people know what their spiritual gift is, challenge them to think of ways of using it

~In their A.C.T.S group

~In some of the existing ministries at Oasis.