DEDUCTIVE LESSON TWELVE 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4

Transcription

1 Studies in 1 Corinthians and Ephesians DEDUCTIVE LESSON TWELVE 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4 Day One: 1 Corinthians 12:1 11 Read 1 Corinthians 12:1 11 and answer the following questions. 1. This week, we take a closer look at the topic of spiritual gifts. What does Paul remind us in verses 4 6? 2. These spiritual gifts, activities, and works are well translated in the New King James version as manifestations of the Spirit (verse 7). We must keep in mind that He is the source of these things. For whose benefit are we given these gifts? 3. List the gifts mentioned in verses Note: We will discuss the gift of tongues in detail when we get to chapter 14. For now, it is enough to know that the gift of tongues is the Spirit-given ability to speak in languages not known to the speaker. 4. What do you suppose the difference is between the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge? 5. What gifts, or manifestations of the Spirit, are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:28? 1

2 6. Now list the various gifts found in Romans 12: And finally, list those gifts mentioned in Ephesians 4: These gifts can very generally be divided into two categories: gifts that involve speaking and gifts that involve doing. What does 1 Peter 4:11 say? 9. As you can see, there is no definitive list of spiritual gifts in Scripture. These lists overlap and have variation. That brings us back to the phrase manifestation of the Spirit. Just as there is infinite variation in God s creation, there is infinite variation in the way God uses us, and the way that the Holy Spirit can work through us. Some gifts are more temporary than others, being given only for the time they are needed to accomplish His work. What does 1 Corinthians 12:11 remind us? We will look at spiritual gifts more tomorrow. Scripture Memory: This week s memory verse is Ephesians 4:29. Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. Ephesians 4:29 Day Two: 1 Corinthians 12:12 31 Read 1 Corinthians 12:12 31 and answer the following questions. 1. In today s reading we see that Paul likens Christ s church to a physical body. In your own words, what are some ways the church is like a body? 2

3 2. Each of us has our own gifts and abilities within the church, just as each member of the body has its own function. What happens when we do not use our gifts? 3. Based on what you have studied so far, and the gifts analysis questionnaire you completed last week, what do you think your spiritual gifts are at present? 4. In addition to spiritual gifts, God has also given us natural abilities. Both can and should be used to serve the Lord, and often work in tandem. Among these abilities are: performing, motivating, investigating, creating, examining, organizing, supervising, guiding, teaching, fixing, cooking, accounting, writing, and so many more.1 In conjunction with natural abilities are learned skills that we acquire and practice during the course of our lives. What would you say some of your best abilities or skills are? (You are not bragging by listing these capabilities; you are making an honest evaluation of the things you are good at.) 5. Are you utilizing these gifts, abilities, and skills to the benefit of the church body? If so, in what capacity are using them? Or are you withholding your gifts to detriment of the church body? If so, what ministries at church do you think you could get involved in to put your gifts, abilities, and skills to work? 6. If one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it (verse 26). Can you give an example from your own experience in a team, company, or group where one member s performance affected the rest of the group in either a positive or negative way? 3

4 Note: Some denominations and churches believe that the sign gifts namely the gifts of tongues, interpretation, miracles, and healings were temporary gifts that were given to the early church to authenticate the apostles and substantiate their message as the true Word of God, until the full canon of Scripture was complete. They therefore believe that the Holy Spirit ceased working through these particular gifts once the 66 books of the Bible were finished. While Harvest does not hold this view concerning sign gifts and believes that the Holy Spirit can and does continue to use these gifts in the modern age as He sees fit, Harvest recognizes that difference of belief in this area does not constitute a major deviation from the essential and foundational doctrines of Christianity. In the spirit of unity, Harvest therefore respects the opinions/beliefs of those brothers and sisters who differ in this area. Scripture Memory: Fill in the missing words from memory. Let no word proceed out of your mouth, but what is for necessary edification, that it may impart to the hearers. Ephesians 4:29 Day Three: Ephesians 4:1 16 Read Ephesians 4:1 16 and answer the following questions. 1. What does Paul beseech us to do in verses 1 3? 2. Paul uses the number one seven times in verses 4 5 as he emphasizes unity. What are those seven things he lists? 3. Verses 9 10 remind us of Proverbs 30:4. Write out that verse below. 4

5 4. Paul again gives us the reason for these spiritual gifts: for the equipping of the saints, the work of ministry, and the edifying of the body. But there will come a day when the spiritual gifts we ve received will no longer be necessary. What does verse 13 say about that time? 5. What things do these gifts help us to avoid, according to verse 14? 6. Read Ephesians 1: Christ is the head of the body, His church. What are the functions of a person s physical head, and how does that apply to what Christ does and is to His church? 7. Write out a prayer asking the Lord to use you in equipping the saints, in the work of ministry, and in edifying the body of Christ (verse 12), using the gifts He has given to you. Pray that you would be submissive to Him as the head of the church and would obey His directives. Scripture Memory: Fill in the missing words from memory. Let no proceed out of your mouth, but what is for necessary, that it may impart to the. 4:29 5

6 Day Four: Ephesians 4:17 24 Read Ephesians 4:17 24 and answer the following questions. 1. For each of these phrases that Paul uses, write out a phrase that means the opposite. Instead of walking in the futility of my mind having my understanding darkened being alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in me because of the blindness of my heart being past feeling giving myself over to lewdness to work all uncleanness with greediness I will walk 2. The NIV translates verses this way: You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. Surely you heard of him and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. When did you first hear of Jesus? When were you first taught His truths? 3. Putting off the old man, in verse 22, means to put away, cast off, or lay aside. What does Romans 6:6 say about the old man? 4. Compare the old man to the new man, as described in Ephesians 4:22, Is the new man just the old man with a makeover? What does 2 Corinthians 5:17 say? 6

7 6. Re-read Ephesians 4: Do you have a friend, relative, or acquaintance who fits this description? Pray for them now. Pray that they would put off the old man and be made into a new creation, in true righteousness and holiness. Scripture Memory: Fill in the missing words from memory. Let no out of your, but what is for necessary, that it may impart to the. : Day Five: Ephesians 4:25 32 Read Ephesians 4:25 32 and answer the following questions. 1. What does verse 25 admonish us to do? 2. What does John 8:44 say about lies? 3. What does Paul tell us about anger, in Ephesians 4:26? 4. What alternative does Paul give to stealing in verse 28? 7

8 5. Verse 29 is your memory verse, instructing us to only say what is helpful. What does James 3:4 10 say about the dangers of the tongue? 6. Ephesians 4:30 says that the Holy Spirit has sealed us for the day of redemption. How does 2 Corinthians 1:21 22 state this wonderful truth? 7. Pick one aspect from Ephesians 4:31 32 that you are weakest in. Write a sentence or two of prayer asking the Lord to help you in that area. Scripture Memory: Write out this week s verse from memory. " : Day Six: Optional Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God (Ephesians 4:30). Ephesians 4:30 says that we can grieve the Holy Spirit, meaning to make Him sorrowful through our actions. What other sins can be committed against the Holy Spirit, according to Scripture? The following excerpt, taken from describes the sins against the Holy Spirit: 8

9 A believer can lie to the Holy Spirit. [See Acts 5:3] Lying to the Holy Spirit means to pretend to be something you are not to go through the motions of living the Christian life without really meaning it in your heart of hearts. These people draw near with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but have removed their hearts far from Me (Isaiah 29:13). A believer can quench the Holy Spirit. Quenching suggests extinguishing a fire. Unbelief can certainly hinder the working and moving of God's Holy Spirit (see Mark 6:4 5). This sin is also committed when the Holy Spirit leads you to do a certain thing (share your faith, pray more, take a step of faith) and you flatly refuse. "Do not quench the Spirit" (1 Thessalonians 5:19). A nonbeliever can resist the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit seeks to speak to the heart of the unbeliever and lead him to God. There are those who are convinced of the truth of the gospel, yet who refuse to yield their hearts to God. You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you (Acts 7:51). These words were spoken by the early Christian martyr Stephen to the unbelieving Sanhedrin shortly before his death. A nonbeliever can insult the Holy Spirit. It is the office of the Holy Spirit to present the saving work of Jesus Christ to the unsaved. A person insults the love of God by saying that he does not really need God's gift of salvation, or by insisting that Christ's death on the cross was unnecessary or unable to save him. To resist the Spirit's appeal is to insult God and to cut off all hope of salvation. Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:29). A nonbeliever can blaspheme the Holy Spirit. "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come (Matthew 12:31 32). This is the most serious offense against the Holy Spirit, for there is no forgiveness for the person who commits it. The work of the Spirit is to convict us of sin and bring us to Jesus Christ. To blaspheme Him is similar to insulting, in that one resists His work altogether. This should not be the concern of any Christian, for this is not a sin we can or will commit. Write out a prayer to the Holy Spirit, telling Him whatever is on your mind in light of what you have learned this week. 9

10 Scripture Memory: Write out your Scripture Memory passage from memory. " : 2012 Brian Joel Jackson. All rights reserved. Express permission granted for use and reproduction by Harvest Christian Fellowship, Riverside, CA. 1 This list is adapted from Gifts Analysis: A Pathway to Find Your Spiritual Gifts booklet, developed by Harvest: Greg Laurie. Riverside, CA. pp Used by permission. 2 Accessed 11/11/11. Prayer Requests: Message Notes: 10

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