100 Days to a Healthier ChurchSample

Day 31

Today’s Big Idea: What are the Spiritual Gifts?

There are three New Testament passages where multiple spiritual gifts are mentioned: Ephesians 4, Romans 12, and the passage we’ll be looking at today, 1 Corinthians 12–14. 

Paul’s instructions to the Corinthian church contain the longest, most thorough teaching about the spiritual gifts in the New Testament. In them, we read about their proper functions and value, while also coming to a better understanding of how they can be abused if we’re not careful to use them well.

How many spiritual gifts are there? It turns out the answer isn’t as simple as the question. Lists of spiritual gifts vary among faith traditions from as few as seven to as many as twenty-seven. 

Key Verse: There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work (1 Corinthians 12:6).

Thoughts to Consider: The spiritual gifts point to two truths at the same time—unity and diversity. There are different gifts (diversity), but it is the same God (unity) who utilizes them for his purpose. In fact, as you read the passage, you no doubt noticed how strongly it directed us toward using this great variety of gifts toward a single, God-appointed purpose.

The spiritual gifts are given to us by God to do His work, not ours. As you consider the variety of spiritual gifts, think and pray about what gifts you have seen in operation when a church is functioning at its healthiest and best. Then take some time to pray that God will guide you and the church to reclaim that unity and diversity for God’s glory as you move forward together.