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HOLY SPIRIT: Gifted People


Icebreaker:
Who is the most talented person you know?
What is the difference between talent and gifting?

Overview:
A young couple fell in love while attending a Christian college. The young man was studying for the ministry while the young woman worked toward a degree in elementary education. By the time they graduated, they were married and headed to their first pastorate at a small, rural church. They were excited and full of plans for their new congregation. There was only one, small problem – the young woman did not play the piano and could not carry a tune in the proverbial bucket. These were skills expected of a pastor wife and much needed in their small congregation.

Start where you are, do anything you can do, and do everything you can do, until you find something you must do! That something is probably your spiritual gift. – Jim George

She couldn’t play or sing but she could organize, plan, teach and love people into the Kingdom of God so that is what she did. Other people stepped up to play the piano. People who could sing sang. She did what she did well and God blessed their ministry together.

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. – 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 ESV

Discussion:

Read 1 Corinthians 12:1-11.

We need to know the facts. We are gifted people. Spiritual gifts are given for the common good but not everyone gets the same gift. No gift is better than any other. Each person using their gifts leads to unity.

Why is someone who sings or plays an instrument deemed more “gifted” than others?
What happens to unity when too many people have the same gift?
How does a lack of certain gifts or activities lead to a lack of unity?
What is the goal of a variety of gifts, services and activities?

I, therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called. – Ephesians 4:1 ESV

What gift do you wish you had?
What gift do you have that you wish you didn’t?
What does it mean to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling?”
How is the church affected when you don’t “walk” in your calling?

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