Living Waters

Lesson 7

“The Gifts of the Spirit”

I. Into Our History

Suggested Ice-breakers:

• Our mission at Oasis Christian Fellowship is “to be a church of fully-devoted followers of Jesus Christ.” We believe that a person is well on their way to full-devotion to Jesus if the following five things are found true about them:

Salvation – They have entered into a saving relationship with Jesus and endeavor to develop that relationship.

Sunday Mornings – They are regular attendees of Sunday morning services.

Small Groups – They are regular attendees of small groups.

Stewardship – They support the church financially.

Service – They utilize their God-given gift in the context of the local church.

• Included in this mission is our desire to be used by God to make fully-devoted followers of Jesus. To this end, we have put together four Impact Events – events that are uniquely designed to mobilize our church to reach out to friends and family.

• Oasis is planning a summer outreach event on Saturday July 8, at the church, which will be complete with food, games for the kids, music and a host of other things. What role could you see yourself playing in this event?

• To make this outreach successful, it will take the whole church working together by sharing their God-given abilities.

• In this study, we are covering spiritual gifts. A spiritual gift is a special, God-given ability or talent to accomplish specific tasks with others, who have different gifts, all in the context of church life. Most often, but not always, spiritual gifts shadow the natural abilities, interests and passions each of us was born with.

II. Into the Bible

A. The Purpose of Spiritual Gifts:

Read I Corinthians 12:1-20

1 Corinthians 12:1-20: 1 “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. 3 Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, "Jesus is accursed;” and no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," except by the Holy Spirit. 4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. 6 There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. 7 But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills. 12 For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If the foot says, "Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear says, "Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body," it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 18 But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. 19 If they were all one member, where would the body be? 20 But now there are many members, but one body.”

• What analogy does Paul use to illustrate the purpose and importance of spiritual gifts?

  Note to leader: Develop the notion of the interdependence of parts within a body, and how this relates to the church.

• Who decides how spiritual gifts will be distributed to the Body of Christ? (cf. vs.11)
• Why are different spiritual gifts given?

  The same reason is found as to why there are different parts and organs in body. Each part fulfills different purposes and meets different needs. The liver performs a different function than an eye, yet both of these functions contribute to the overall health of the one organism. Note to Leader: You might want to highlight the gifts listed in verses 7-10 to compare and contrast the different functions and purposes for these gifts, as well as how they relate to the overall function of the body of Christ.

• What is the overall purpose of all spiritual gifts?

  To build up the Body of Christ and bring glory to God.

B. The Responsibility of Spiritual Gifts:

Read I Corinthians 14:32

1 Corinthians 14:32: 32 “… and the spirits of prophets are subject to prophets.”

• Who decides whether or not a spiritual gift is put to use?

Although spiritual gifts are distributed by God and are important to the overall health of the church, the gifts are subject to the individual receiving the gift. This means we decide whether or not to utilize our gifts.

Read Matthew 25:14-30

Matthew 25:14-30: 14 “ For it is just like a man about to go on a journey, who called his own slaves and entrusted his possessions to them. 15 "To one he gave five talents, to another, two, and to another, one, each according to his own ability; and he went on his journey. 16 "Immediately the one who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and gained five more talents. 17 "In the same manner the one who had received the two talents gained two more. 18 "But he who received the one talent went away, and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money. 19 "Now after a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. 20 "The one who had received the five talents came up and brought five more talents, saying, 'Master, you entrusted five talents to me. See, I have gained five more talents.' 21 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' 22 "Also the one who had received the two talents came up and said, 'Master, you entrusted two talents to me. See, I have gained two more talents.' 23 "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' 24 "And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, 'Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow and gathering where you scattered no seed. 25 'And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground. See, you have what is yours.' 26 "But his master answered and said to him, 'You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow and gather where I scattered no seed. 27 'Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. 28 'Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.' 29 "For to everyone who has, more shall be given, and he will have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. 30 "Throw out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

• What happens to those who put their spiritual gifts to work?

• What happens to those who do not put their spiritual gifts to work?

• Does this parable cause you to pause and assess your gifts and whether you are using them as you ought?

III. Into Our Lives

• What spiritual gifts do you believe God has invested in you?

• Which of those spiritual gifts are you currently utilizing? Which ones are you not utilizing fully?

• How does one discover their spiritual gifts?

• Request Oasis’ Discovery self-study course.
• Ask God to show you what gifts He has given you.
• Experiment with different ministries to find your “fit.”
• Observe your level of enjoyment and effectiveness.
• Expect confirmation of your spiritual gifts from other Christians.

• Let’s commit as a group to play our part in the upcoming outreaches

Notes

Here is a list of possible roles: Bringing friends and family; set-up; tear-down; clean-up; operating a booth; donating food and beverages; to name a few.

Leaders, we will probably have flyers available at this time. Please pick up a handful of these flyers at the information center and distribute them to your group.

As a leader, you might want to consider doing something for this outreach as a group.

Several lists of spiritual gifts are found in scripture, and can be found in I Corinthians 12:8-10, 28, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11, and I Peter 4:20.