Gifted – Part 1
Embrace your gifting
Introduction
Receiving a meaningful gift says something meaningful and powerful: you are valued, known, and worth investing in. In the same way, God is a generous giver who has given each believer spiritual gifts. They are not for personal status, but for purpose. These gifts are meant to be used, enjoyed, and shared for the building up of others and the strengthening of the church.
But like any gift, we have a choice. We can embrace it, neglect it, misunderstand it, or even misuse it. Just like Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:1, Pastor Mark invites us to eagerly desire spiritual gifts. Similarly, he also challenges us to reflect honestly: Am I using what God has given me? Am I growing in it? Or have I shelved it?
Read: |
Discuss
- Read 1 Corinthians 12:4–11. This passage highlights that while there are different kinds of gifts, they all come from the same Spirit and are given as He determines. What stands out to you about how and why these gifts are given? How does this shape the way you view your own gifts and the gifts of others?
- Take a moment to reflect on your motivations when it comes to serving. What tends to drive you more: love for God and others, or recognition, responsibility, or expectation? What helps you discern your heart in this area, and how can we realign our motives when they drift?
- Pastor Mark reminded us that spiritual gifting does not always equal spiritual maturity. Why is this an important distinction for us to understand as a church? What might it look like in practice to grow not only in our gifting, but also in character and Christlikeness?
- Think about times, either personally or in church life, where gifts have been misused, overemphasised, or elevated above others. What impact did that have on individuals and the wider church? What helps create a healthy environment where gifts are used rightly?
- Read 1 Corinthians 12:14–20. This passage reminds us that every part of the body is needed. How do you tend to respond when your gifts feel less visible or less valued? What does it look like to be content in how God has wired you, while remaining open to Him stretching and growing you?
- Read 1 Corinthians 14:1. We are encouraged to “eagerly desire” spiritual gifts. What does this look like in a way that is sincere and not self-seeking? Is there a gift you sense God may be inviting you to pursue, grow in, or re-engage with in this season?
Who’s Your Person of Peace?
Who is one person in your world right now who might need encouragement to take a step toward serving, belonging, or using their gifts? How can you come alongside them this week?
Respond
Every follower of Jesus has been chosen, gifted, and placed intentionally in His body. No one is ‘just’ a volunteer. No one is insignificant. Your presence and contribution help the Church thrive, grow, and reach others for Christ. Take a moment this week to ask, “Lord, where are You inviting me to serve, grow, or step into my gifting in this next season?”
Gifted – Part 2
The Gift of Tongues
Introduction
The gift of tongues was initially given to the disciples during Pentecost and was widely used in the early Church. However, at a church in Corinth there was a lack of wisdom in the way it was practiced, such that it caused confusion and disharmony. Paul offers guidelines for this gift to be the blessing that it was intended to be. The misuse of tongues does not necessitate the dis-use of tongues. In this study, we explore the gift of tongues and how it can benefit every believer today.
Read:
Acts 2:1-17
Acts 10:44-46
Acts 19:1-6
1 Corinthians 14:1-5
Discuss
- Has a loved one ever given you a gift you did not like? Why didn’t you like it, and what did you do with that gift? See Luke 11:10-13. Now, consider that if the Holy Spirit offers us gifts, what would an appropriate response be?
- Jesus commanded his disciples: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 1:4-5). What was the purpose of this gift (see Acts 1:8) and how can it help us today?
- Speaking in tongues is a personal prayer language (see 1 Corinthians 14:1-2, Romans 8:26,27). Have you ever found yourself not knowing what to pray for but after praying in tongues for a few minutes, been led to pray something specific? Share about how praying in tongues has enriched your prayer life.
- Speaking in tongues strengthens faith (see 1 Corinthians 14:4 and Jude 1:20). If you do have this gift, how do you find praying and worshipping in tongues builds your faith? For example, have you experienced more of God’s power and presence, or been able to hear Him speak more clearly?
- 1 Corinthians 14:14-16 describes praying and worshipping with one’s spirit (such as in tongues) and also with one’s mind (that is, understanding). How does praying and worshipping in both ways enrich our prayer and worship life?
- Pastor Tim suggests that context matters; speaking in tongues sometimes needs to be translated so we can all understand. When the disciples first spoke in tongues, other nationalities understood it in their own language (see 1 Corinthians 14:12,16-19). Have you ever heard someone give a message in tongues in a church service with an interpretation? Was there a situation when the message in tongues was a known language to the hearer but unknown to the speaker? How does this demonstrate the power of the gospel for all nations?
Who’s Your Person of Peace?
If you are able to pray in tongues, spend a few minutes regularly praying for a person of peace to read the Bible with. Alternatively, if you already have a person in mind, take time to pray (with your understanding) that God would prepare that person to read the Bible with you.
Respond
Speaking in tongues is one of the gifts of the Spirit that everyone and anyone can eagerly desire.
The gift of tongues was experienced every time the Holy Spirit was poured out in extra measure. The early disciples experienced it at Pentecost, so did Cornelius’s household and the Christians at Ephesus. The Salvation Army experienced this when their founders William and Catherine Booth first started their ministry in 1865, which continues today. The Azusa Street Revival (1906) was also marked by various signs and wonders, including speaking in tongues, and is credited as the start of the Pentecostal movement.
Paul exhorts us to eagerly desire spiritual gifts, including the gift of tongues, and he wished that everyone in the church at Corinth may experience this. If you already have this gift, can you commit to set aside several minutes a day to pray in tongues, and see how this practice enriches your faith? If you don’t have the gift but desire it, can you seek God daily for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in your life?
Gifted – Part 3
Healing and Miracles
Introduction
When the church; the Body of Christ, is asked if they want to see healings and miracles, there are many hands that go up, accenting to the desire to witness God moving powerfully in ways that cannot be explained in any other way. However, most would see themselves as spectators rather than participants in these Spiritual Gift, and most would be shocked or challenged if God were to invite them personally into that work. We celebrate the idea of God moving yet hesitate at the thought that He might choose to move through us. As you discuss this topic, encouraged one another to stir up the gift God has place within you.
Read:
1 Cor 12:4-11, 27-28
Discuss
- Share a story of healing or miracles that you have witnessed or have known about through close contact.
- Discuss what it means to be a part of the Body of Christ? (Rom 12:4-5; 1Cor 12:13). Referring to the reading; who are these ‘gifts of the Spirit’ given to and for what purpose? (Consider vs.7; emphasis on “each one”) If the gifts are given to “each one” why do many believers remain spectators rather than participants? What might hold someone back from stepping into what God has already given?
- God does heal, but not always (Consider 1 Tim 5:23; 2Cor 12:8–9). How should this shape our expectations, prayers, and trust in God? Cessationists wrongly claim miracles were only to validate the early Gospel (Heb 2:4; 1Cor 13:8–12), but do these passages teach that gifts have ceased, or do they point to something future—what is the “perfect” or “completeness” in 1Cor13:10 referring to?
- If our ultimate healing is found in our resurrected life (i.e. eternity), what does that suggest about how we understand healing in the present? How do we hold together both present-day faith for healing and trust in God when healing does not occur?
- ‘Word of Faith’ doctrine wrongfully claims we should be healed all the time, drawing from passages like: Mt 9:22; Mk 5:34; & Lk 8:48. In these passages, where is the focus placed – on the strength of a person’s faith, or on the One in whom their faith is placed? What does it mean to have faith in the living God through Christ, rather than in the power of our own faith? What could be the impact on people when ‘Word of Faith’ prayer does not result in the miracle hoped for? (e.g. misplaced guilt, denial of reality, disillusionment with God, and viewing suffering as abnormal or suspect)
- Read 2 Tim 1:6. A gift can be present but dormant. It needs to be fanned into flame. What can cause a gift to remain dormant in a believer’s life? What does it look like in practice to “fan into flame” what God has already placed within us?
Who’s Your Person of Peace?
There are people around us who have something God has placed in them, but it remains dormant. Who is your person-of-peace this week – someone you can encourage, pray with, and help step out of passivity into what God may be stirring in them?
Respond
How do we move beyond comfort and hesitation to actively use spiritual gifts in everyday life, and how can this group foster a culture that encourages participation rather than passivity, becoming a safe place where gifts are stirred, exercised, and strengthened over time? If that gift is within you, are you prepared to fan it into flame and exercise it? If God works through you, is your character grounded enough that you won’t take the glory, but give Him honour alone? Do we carry the transparency, intimacy, and humility with God to walk in His gifts without pride or self-exaltation?
Gifted – Part 4
We Get To Hear
Introduction
As children of God, we get to hear the voice of God when we seek him. The Lord promises us : “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know” (Jeremiah 33:3). When God gives us a message for someone else, we can faithfully carry His word to them and operate in the gift of prophesy. This is “forthtelling” – ie we speak forth the word of God that we sense is applicable for a person or community. Such a word can significantly impact and edify the hearers spiritually. How can we cultivate this gift within us and steward it well?
Read:
Acts 2: 14-18; 1 Corinthains 14:1-4, 1 Corinthians 14:24-25
Discuss
Facilitators: Choose 3-4 questions that spark meaningful conversation and
discern where God is leading, there no need to answer all questions.
- Have you ever received a prophetic word from someone? How did it
encourage you and affect your faith? Conversely, have you been led to
give a prophetic word to another person? How did you know it was the
right word for the person? - Listening to the voice of God precedes the operation of the gift of
prophesy. Why can we be assured that we can all hear the voice of God?
See Jeremiah 33:3, John 10:27 - In the Old Testament, there were certain individuals who were called to
be prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel. Yet this gift of prophesy is
now available to all believers in New Testament today. Why is that the
case? See Acts 2:17. Which promise in the Old Testament does this event
fulfill as foretold hundreds of years ago? - Why does Paul encourage all Christians in Corinth to desire the gift of
prophesy? See 1 Corinthians 14:1. 1 14:24-25. It was said that the gift of
prophecy is used for strengthening, encouraging, comforting, edifying
and evangelism. How can the gift of prophesy accomplish these? Have
you witnessed any of these yourself personally? - Why is spending time reading and meditating the Word of God so
essential when one desires to move in the gift of prophesy? Will a word
of prophesy ever contradict a Scriptural truth or principle? One simple
step in learning to operate in the gift of prophesy is to try and sense an
applicable Scripture for a person. Why is this a safe approach? - How can we be intentional in being sensitive to the Holy Spirit to lead
us in operating the gift of prophesy? What questions can you be asking
God regularly to attune ourselves to this? - Revelations 19:10 says “ .. For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears
testimony to Jesus.”. What does this tell us about the nature of the
prophetic words? How should it impact the person receiving this word
in regards to the faith in Jesus? - Why is love and humility so important when one shares a prophetic
word? See 1 Corinthian 13:9. How can a prophetic word be presented in a
spirit of humility, what language can one use?
Who’s Your Person of Peace?
The gift of prophesy can be used to reach people who do not know Jesus
and become a witness of God’s love to them. Can you pray for a prophetic
word for the person of peace in your life? Find an appropriate moment to
share this word with them in wisdom.
Respond
The gift of prophesy, when used correctly, can change hearts and minds by
pointing people to Jesus. What can you do intentionally in your devotional
life to cultivate the gift of prophesy?
Alternatively, if you like to have the gift of prophesy activated in your life, ask
someone in the LifeGroup or the pastoral team to pray for you to impart
and activate this gift in you. Commit to receiving this prayer for yourself and
stewarding this gift.