Faith & Love: A One Year Bible Reading Plan - Part 9Sample

“We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” - Pierre Teilhard de Chardin (French Priest, early 1900’s)

In this chapter of 1st Corinthians 12, the Apostle Paul writes to believers to clarify, challenge, and to call upon. Paul aimed to clarify some misconceptions and even misrepresentations about Spiritual gifts. In light of this, he also challenges us as believers to use our individual gifts for the greater good in the body of Jesus, and finally, he calls upon us to demonstrate unity in diversity as the Spirit works in and through us.

1 Corinthians 12:1 (CSB)

“1 Now concerning spiritual gifts: brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware.”

• How are Spiritual gifts received?

• Are some more important than others?

• What are Spiritual Gifts for?

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (CSB)

“4 Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person. 7 A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good...”

Paul teaches us that it is the Spirit Himself that gives Spiritual gifts. We cannot earn them, work for them, or even qualify for them. This is exactly why they are called “gifts”. We should in turn, receive and use them.

Several gifts are mentioned as an example to demonstrate that each believer had a unique gifting, but all gifts had the same origin. Another helpful word that explains Spiritual gifts, in verse 7, is the word “manifestation” – this simply means how the Holy Spirit works in and through every believer. Ultimately an expression of the Spirit working through us.

Spiritual gifts had a unity in source (vv. 4–6), and they also had a unity in purpose. To build up the body. Your spiritual gifting is to be discovered, developed, and dedicated to serving the body of believers.

1 Corinthians 12:27 (CSB)

“27 Now you are the body of Christ, and individual members of it.”

We are reminded of the blessing and beauty of Jesus’ body of believers, that it is diverse, inclusive, and unified. Where spiritual gifts are expressed, we see the Trinity represented. God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Spirit – the triune God, three and one, diverse and unified, made known and honoured in the body of believers.

Application Question:

We shared three responses regarding spiritual gifts: discovering (How does the Spirit work in and through me?), developing (Am I growing in my gifting?), and dedicating (Am I using my gifting to serve others?). Where do you find yourself as a Spirit-filled, empowered, and called follower of Jesus?