COMING NEXT QUARTER SPRING 2017 YOU - CONNECT. GROW. SERVE. GO! CONFRONTING CONFLICT IT S WHAT S INSIDE THAT COUNTS ANSWERS FOR SKEPTICS

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1 SPRING 2017 SPRING YOU - CONNECT. GROW. SERVE. GO! LEADER GUIDE INCLUDED COMING NEXT QUARTER IT S WHAT S INSIDE THAT COUNTS All believers gifts matter. SPRING 2017 ANSWERS FOR SKEPTICS CONFRONTING CONFLICT There s never been or ever will be One like Jesus. Conflict shouldn t prevent us from continuing to do God s work. *Subject to change IT S WHAT S INSIDE THAT COUNTS All believers gifts matter. ANSWERS FOR SKEPTICS CONFRONTING CONFLICT There s never been or ever will be One like Jesus. Conflict shouldn t prevent us from continuing to do God s work.

2 HIGHWAY S H E WA N T S T O K N O W W H AT I S T R U E N O T PA R T LY T R U E, O R S O M E T I M E S T R U E, O R A L M O S T T R U E. S H E WA N T S T R U T H I T S E L F. TO HEAVEN You won t find it on a map, but a highway to heaven does exist. The Roman Road is explained in the Book of Romans in the Bible, and it tells how to go to heaven. The road begins at Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is God s power for salvation to everyone who believes. God is the source for our journey to heaven. He gives power for salvation to all who believe. We need God s power because we have a problem with sin. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Sin means missing the mark or missing God s intended destination for us. None of us can reach that destination on his or her own because everyone is a sinner. When we work, we earn money. Sin earns wages as well wages of death. Because God loves all sinners, He has provided another route: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). The highway to heaven is found in Romans 10:9: If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. We need to confess our sin and ask God for forgiveness. To confess Jesus as Lord involves agreeing with God about your sin and your need for salvation. You must repent of your sin, turning away from the direction in life in which you are going. To believe in your heart is to place your faith in Jesus, trusting that He died on the cross to pay for your sins. But God proves His own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us! (Romans 5:8). If you would like to have salvation in Jesus Christ, sincerely pray a prayer like this one: Dear God, I confess to You my sin and need for salvation. I turn away from my sin and place my faith in Jesus as my Savior and Lord. Amen. Share your faith in Jesus with a Christian friend or pastor. Becoming a Christian is your first step on the lifelong road of spiritual growth and service God desires for you. Follow Christ in believer s baptism by immersion and join a local church _2017_SPR.indb 2 She Reads Truth tells the stories of two women who discovered that only God and His Word remain unchanged as the world around them shifted and slipped away. Sometimes it takes everything moving to notice the thing that doesn t move. Sometimes it takes telling two very different stories to notice how the Truth was exactly the same in both of them. SHEREADSTRUTHBOOK.COM 10/20/16 8:02 PM

3 Staying Fit Spiritually We talk a lot about the importance of staying physically fit, but what about the health of your spirit? Connect, Grow, Serve, Go is a call to evaluate your present spiritual condition and discover ways to improve your spiritual health. Packed into each biblical concept Connect, Grow, Serve, Go is a simple way you can move forward, not remain stagnant. Best of all, these tools will stand the test of time no fad diets here. They will help you become spiritually healthy, and stay that way. WITH AN OPEN HEART MARK 12:29-31 IN BODY, MIND, & SPIRIT ROMANS 12:2 WITH WILLING HANDS 1 PETER 4:10-11 WITH READY FEET MATTHEW 28:19-20 Connect urges you to worship, pray, fellowship, and relate to others in positive relationships at work, at home, and in other settings. Spiritual fitness results when you connect with God, with others, and with your church family. Grow refers to learning and understanding more about God and His expectations of His people, which comes through Bible study. You grow by applying that knowledge to your everyday living. Serve describes the work you do inside your church. Your church is full of ministry and service opportunities. You serve by using your spiritual gifts, skills, and passions to glorify God. All of us must work together for the church to function as God intended. Go moves you outside the church and into the community and the world. Evangelism and missions are ways to go into your community and the world in the name of Jesus Christ. It might be uncomfortable at first, but you will experience firsthand the difference Christ can make through you. Connect, Grow, Serve, Go must impact YOU, the individual, before it can permeate your circle of friends, your Bible study group, and then the church as a whole. But balance is the key! We must be actively participating in all four areas if we want to be spiritually healthy. All Go and no Connect with God or other believers results in powerless activity and wears you out. A steady diet of Grow without the action of Serve or Go leads to unhealthy spiritual obesity and laziness. We need a balanced spiritual diet to remain fit and able to serve God in the ways He has gifted us. The YOU lessons will help you Connect, Grow, Serve, and Go. Look for these icons throughout this issue. They will help you check and maintain your spiritual health. YOU _2017_SPR.indb 3 10/20/16 8:02 PM

4 Spring 2017 VOLUME 9, NUMBER 3 CONTENTS IN EVERY ISSUE How to Become a Christian Staying Fit Spiritually A Word from the General Editor A Word from the Editor 8 Suggested Resources 9 YOU Church Story 99 Scripture Memory Cards 101 How to Use Leader Pages 160 Glossary of Key Words 162 Meet the Writers Coming Next Quarter FEATURES 23 HABITS ARE KEY TO FINANCIAL INCREASE by Shawn Dorrough 57 DEFENSELESSLY DEFEND THE FAITH by Brenda M. Croston 85 SOMETHING S GOTTA GIVE by Grendolyn Sutton GROWING AND MATURING WITH YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT by Mark A. Croston Sr. UNAPOLOGETICALLY APOLOGETIC by Ernest L. Reid Jr. THE STRUGGLE IS REAL GETTING AFRICAN-AMERICANS PLUGGED INTO MISSIONS by Cherise Bopape _2017_SPR.indb 4 10/20/16 8:02 PM

5 UNIT 1 IT S WHAT S INSIDE THAT COUNTS Gift That s Meant to Be 25 The Big Picture 11 The Used 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Leader Pages (pp ) 17 ALL Believers Gifts Matter 1 Corinthians 12:12-22 Leader Pages (pp ) 1 Corinthians 12:27-31 Leader Pages (pp ) 31 The Love Connection 1 Corinthians 13 Leader Pages (pp ) UNIT 2 ANSWERS FOR SKEPTICS 39 Yes, God IS Real! 59 Jesus Is the Way Acts 17:22-28 Leader Pages (pp ) 45 Nobody Greater John 3:16-18; 6:66-69; 18:36-37 Leader Pages (pp ) Matthew 16:13-19 Leader Pages (pp ) 65 HeBearKnows How Much We Can Ecclesiastes 3:1-4,10-11,14 Leader Pages (pp ) 51 Jesus Lives! John 20:1-2,19-20,24-29 Leader Pages (pp ) UNIT 3 CONFRONTING CONFLICT 73 My Words 87 My Church 2 Timothy 2:14-16,22-26 Leader Pages (pp ) 79 My Family Genesis 13:5-12,18 Leader Pages (pp ) Acts 15:1-2,19-20,36-41 Leader Pages (pp ) 93 ME! Luke 19:1-10 Leader Pages (pp ) DAILY READINGS are included after each lesson _2017_SPR.indb 5 10/20/16 8:02 PM

6 Season Year Vol. # No. # ERIC GEIGER Vice President, Church Resources MARK CROSTON General Editor A WORD FROM THE GENERAL EDITOR MARK CROSTON I hope you are reading this because you are a part of a Sunday School or other small Bible Study Group. Sunday School is still one of the best tools to help us to grow as Christians. Our transformational groups research says that when we attend a small group like Sunday School we (1) read the Bible more, (2) confess our sins more, (3) share the gospel more, (4) serve more, and (5) live more. Just think about this quarter s studies: BEVERLY SONNIER Content Editor KEN BRADDY Manager, Adult Ongoing Bible Studies MICHAEL KELLEY Director, Groups Ministry Spiritual Gifts. Even when I was a child, I always heard people say that God has a plan for your life. Well, He does, and God gives spiritual gifts to every believer to equip us for success in His purposes for our lives. Apologetics. Do you realize that people who are not Christians believe the things they do just as passionately as you believe in Jesus? This study in apologetics will help equip users to declare rather than debate the truth of God s Word. Conflict Resolution. We all experience conflict from time to time. The key to lasting relationships, though, is doing something positive about it. We will discover how to find positive resolutions. Awesome! The pastor pours into our lives in the worship. We get to talk and go deeper in Sunday School and other small Bible Study groups. We are then equipped for God to pour out of us into the lives of people in our homes, in our neighborhoods, on our jobs, at our Send questions/comments to: Editor, YOU One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN Or make comments on the Web at: or YOU@lifeway.com Printed in the United States of America YOU (ISSN , Item ) is published quarterly by LifeWay Christian Resources, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Thom S. Rainer, President LifeWay Christian Resources. For ordering or inquiries VISIT or WRITE LifeWay Church Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN For Beverly subscriptions or subscription address changes subscribe@lifeway.com, FAX , or WRITE to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, orderentry@lifeway.com, FAX or WRITE to the above address. We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay s doctrinal guideline, please visit Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB, and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. AMP Scripture quotations taken from The Amplified Bible, copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. ( CEV Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version. Copyright 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV ), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV King James Version of the Bible. MSG The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. NASB Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. ( NIV The Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. NLT Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL USA, All rights reserved. NOTE: Some Internet addresses given in this periodical are outside the LifeWay Internet domain. At the time of this posting, the specific pages mentioned were viewed and approved by LifeWay editorial staff. Because information on these pages may have changed by the time of your viewing, the LifeWay editorial staff cannot be held responsible for content on pages outside their control. Specific page addresses referenced in this periodical possibly may link to inappropriate material _2017_SPR.indb 6 10/20/16 8:02 PM

7 schools, and in other places. But like the old saints used to say, Church is like a filling station. We get filled up in worship and Bible study so we can run, pouring out all week long. Wow! This is why weekly worship and Bible study are so important for our growth. Hey, try not to come to Sunday School alone. Always invite someone to join you. In addition to Sunday School, please come and join us at Black Church Leadership and Family Conference, July 11 17, 2017, in picturesque Ridgecrest, North Carolina. Get all the details at There s a full program for every member of the family! You never know where God will lead YOU! Dr. Mark A. Croston Sr. YOU General Editor National Director of Black Church Partnerships A WORD FROM THE EDITOR... I recently had the opportunity to address a dynamic group of pastors representing churches of varying size from across the country. Drawing from my experiences as a former minister of education, I shared that when church leaders and members engage in consistent Bible study, their commitment to ministry inside and outside the church walls increases. The right people move into the right ministry positions as spiritual gifts are identified and used for kingdom building. More and more believers step up to serve willingly based on their giftedness or based on unmet needs. The impact of the Word dwelling richly in us can be amazing! The look and feel of springtime can also be amazing. It welcomes in a sense of freshness and new beginnings. This quarter s lessons that address spiritual gifts, apologetics, and conflict resolution are accompanied by insightful feature articles that encourage each of us to use our gifts wisely, to become better equipped in defending our faith, and to do our part in resolving conflict. This could well be the best time for a fresh start in these areas. I hope you ll give it a try! Peace and blessings, YOU _2017_SPR.indb 7 10/20/16 8:02 PM

8 SUGGESTED DISCIPLE-MAKING RESOURCES Here s a list of resources you can use to deepen your understanding of the units of study this quarter. These resources complement the lessons for this quarter and can be used for small group study, midweek study, or personal Bible study. MINISTERING THROUGH SPIRITUAL GIFTS (FOR UNIT 1) Ministering Through Spiritual Gifts: Recognize Your Personal Gifts and Use Them to Further the Kingdom by Charles Stanley. This 10-session study encourages you to pinpoint your God-given strengths by exploring the seven gifts in Romans 12. God gives every believer a spiritual gift the moment he or she accepts Christ. Many Christians haven t identified their gifts, or they re not sure how to use them for God s glory. Consciously develop your gifts not for your own personal gain but to minister to others and ultimately to bring glory to God. THE HEART OF GOD S STORY (FOR UNIT 2) The Heart of God s Story by George H. Guthrie. This six-session study explores the beauty and power of God s unfolding story in Scripture, weaving the teaching around three key, interlocking themes: face, space, and grace. Face focuses on God s presence as the central theme of Scripture; Space points to God s creating a place for us to walk with Him and live for Him in the world; and Grace refers to God s outward focus as He gives humanity a mission in the world. Discover the presence of God at the heart of His story and understand why we were created, where we are heading, and how to live out the gospel in the world right now. ENTRUSTED: A STUDY OF 2 TIMOTHY (FOR UNIT 3) Entrusted: A Study of 2 Timothy by Beth Moore. This six-session study encourages learners to guard what God has entrusted to you, further His kingdom by sharing Christ with others, and pour into future generations just as Paul once mentored Timothy. In this journey of joy and hardship, we need one another to stay the course and live lives of faithfulness. We were never meant to take this journey of faith alone or in secret. The gift of the gospel is too precious and life-giving to keep to ourselves. 8 YOU Visit or call for more information or to purchase any of these products _2017_SPR.indb 8 10/20/16 8:03 PM

9 YOU CHURCH STORY Women of the Word, Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church Houston, Texas Women of the Word is a multigenerational Sunday School class at Sweet Home Missionary Baptist Church in northeast Houston, Texas. Sweet Home is a predominately African-American church of multigenerational family groups. The twohundred-plus-member congregation embraces a long-standing motto derived from Mark 11:22: Have faith in God. The church s educational ministry was first introduced to YOU curriculum during a National Black Sunday School conference in Tennessee over eight years ago. After careful examination and prayer, YOU was chosen as the Sunday School curriculum. The curriculum is informative with relevant daily life application points. It is adaptable to meet the needs of all groups. The women s group especially enjoys the additional feature articles and weekly devotions which are included. The curriculum is easy to follow and accessible to all adult learners. It provides engaging illustrations that help reinforce learning for both leaders and students. The YOU curriculum has been a blessing to our group. Members often comment on the lessons relevancy and how they encourage reflection on our Christian walk. Class participation remains consistent. Seeing mothers, daughters, and granddaughters engaging with one another is exciting as they each dig deeper into the life-transforming Word of God. Sister Pamela Johnson and Sister Yvonne Jacobs, Instructors Deacon Larry Hines and Deacon Jonathan Gregory, Superintendents Rev. Gregory Collins, Senior Pastor We d love to hear how your church or small group navigated the challenges of switching to YOU, the blessings and benefits your church or small group experienced since switching to YOU, and why you would encourage other churches or small groups to give YOU a try. Please limit your response to 150 words or less. Feel free to provide a photo (jpeg) of a class or group using YOU. Send responses to: beverly.sonnier@lifeway.com. YOU _2017_SPR.indb 9 10/20/16 8:03 PM

10 Unit 1 It s What s Inside that Counts A Bible Study on Spiritual Gifts Everyone loves to receive gifts. Big boxes. Brightly colored paper. Fancy bows. Whether it s Christmas, your birthday, or some other occasion, there is something personal and wonderful about opening a gift that has been picked out just for you. God has a gift for you, one more precious than anything you have ever been given. He has given you a spiritual gift (1 Cor. 12:7-11). Spiritual gifts are more than mere talents, like singing or being a good athlete. Spiritual gifts are special abilities God gives each of His children to enable them to serve Him and His church. If you are a Christian, your gift is already inside you, whether you realize it or not. In this study we will explore 1 Corinthians to gain a better understanding of: what spiritual gifts are, why your gift matters, how your gift fits into God s plan, and how love is essential as you use your gift. 10 Y O U _2017_SPR.indb 10 10/20/16 8:03 PM

11 The leader pages for this lesson are found on pages UNIT 1, LESSON 1 The Gift That s Meant to Be Used Background Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Lesson Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 The Question: What is a spiritual gift? The Point: Spiritual gifts come from God, exalt Christ, and fulfill His purpose. LESSON PASSAGE KEY WORDS 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-11 Now concerning spiritual gifts: brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were a pagans, you used to be enticed and led astray by mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, Jesus is cursed, and no one can b say, Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. 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 produces each gift in c each person. 7 A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good: 8 to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, 9 to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of tongues, to another, interpretation of tongues. 11 One and the same Spirit is d active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills. 1 a Pagans: Many in Corinth had worshiped other gods prior to becoming followers of Jesus. b S ay: Anyone can speak the words Jesus is Lord, but only genuine believers make this genuine confession. c E ach person: That is, each person who confesses Jesus as Lord. Only those who have put their hope in Christ will receive the Holy Spirit. Only those who receive the Holy Spirit will receive a spiritual gift. d A ctive: All these are em- powered by one and the same Spirit (ESV). But it is the Spirit who does all this and decides which gifts to give to each of us (CEV). But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit (KJV). For more information about key words ( ), visit the glossary on pages MEMORY VERSE 1 Corinthians 12:7 A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good. Y OU _2017_SPR.indb 11 10/20/16 8:03 PM

12 The Gift That s Meant to Be Used 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 What is a spiritual gift? UNIT 1 LESSON 1 Spring is planting season. Whether you are a novice gardener, a weather-worn farmer, or somewhere in between, spring is a special time. It is the time when you turn the soil, plant the seeds, and watch for new life to emerge. Spring is a time of preparation and a time of hope for fruit yet to come. God has done some planting of His own in our lives. In this lesson we will begin turning the soil of our hearts and digging into the nature of spiritual gifts, especially what God s purposes are in planting them in you and me. Focal Passage Outline ONE DIVINE SOURCE (1 Cor. 12:1-5) DIFFERENT MANIFESTATIONS (1 Cor. 12:8-10) FOR A SPIRITUAL DEMONSTRATION (1 Cor. 12:6-7, 11) ONE DIVINE SOURCE 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-5 Gardeners know that ignorance isn t always bliss. When planting, gardeners need to know the quality of their soil. They need to know the types of seeds they are planting. They need to know how much sun their plants can tolerate and how often they need to be watered. If not, they won t have much of a garden or flower bed to enjoy. Our ignorance or lack of awareness can have a significant impact on more than our gardens. Spiritual ignorance can impact everything about our lives and the lives of many others. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul emphasized that he didn t want the believers in Corinth to be ignorant when it came to spiritual gifts (v. 1). He wanted them to know. He felt it was essential for them to understand God s purpose behind planting spiritual gifts in each of them. Skim 1 Corinthians 12; 13; and 14. Why do you think Paul felt the need to devote this much space to the topic of spiritual gifts? What could be so dangerous if the Corinthian church (or your church) misunderstood the nature, purpose, and origin of spiritual gifts? 12 Y O U _2017_SPR.indb 12 10/20/16 8:03 PM

13 The Gift That s Meant to Be Used 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 As we begin this four-week study on spiritual gifts, note that there is a distinction between God-given talents and spiritual gifts. They all derive from the same (see Key Words Glossary, pp ) source, but there are distinct differences. Diggin Deeper Talents come in many shapes and sizes. God endows some with great athletic talent. He enables others to play or sing music beautifully. Some are gifted intellectually. The list of talents is endless. However, God gives talents to all people believers and nonbelievers alike. You don t have to be a Christian to be talented. Spiritual gifts, however, are uniquely given only to those who have put their faith in Jesus. They are different from talents. They come at conversion when the Holy Spirit indwells a believer. There is not an exhaustive list of spiritual gifts in one particular passage; instead, they are mentioned in various places in Scripture (Rom. 12:6-8; 1 Cor. 12:8-10,28-30; Eph. 4:11; and 1 Pet. 4:9-11) and often accompany specific roles in the church. The Corinthians were not new to spiritual matters. Their culture was saturated with the worship of Greek gods such as Apollo, Hermes, Athena, and Poseidon. But they were new to matters of the Holy Spirit. The difference is immensely important. Not everything that is spiritual or religious (then or now) is from the Holy Spirit. Paul wanted his readers to discern between the mute idols in verse 2 (see Key Words Glossary, pp ) of their past and the truth found in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Spiritual gifts are from God and should be used for God. One simple question all believers should ask themselves concerning their gifts is, Does this exalt Jesus? If attention is drawn to yourself (or another person, an organization, etc.) and is drawn away from Jesus, then it is not honoring to the Holy Spirit. Manifestation Consider these translations for 1 Corinthians 12:7. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit... for the common good (AMP). A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other (NLT). The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others (CEV). How would you paraphrase this verse in your words? Why is it significant that the Holy Spirit is given to each person and is given for the good of God s kingdom? What does it look like when a spiritual gift is used to glorify self? to glorify God? DIFFERENT MANIFESTATIONS 1 CORINTHIANS 12:8-10 Spring reminds us of the diversity found in God s creation, and diversity may be one of God s greatest gifts to us. When we fail to appreciate the diversity in the world around us, we fail to enjoy Y OU _2017_SPR.indb 13 10/20/16 8:03 PM

14 The Gift That s Meant to Be Used 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Did you know? Controversy over spiritual gifts was one of many issues plaguing the church in Corinth. Apparently, some were putting undue emphasis on the gift of different kinds of tongues (v. 10). the creativity of our Creator. Consider the scope of humanity. We come in all shapes and sizes, colors and pigments, cultures and languages. Our human differences add beauty and intrigue to an already stunning world. So we should not be surprised when we discover that God gives a variety of spiritual gifts to His people. Read 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. Make a list of the gifts in these verses (remember that this is not a complete list of all the spiritual gifts). I n 1 Corinthians 14, Paul encourages the Corinthian believers to desire the gift of prophecy, the ability to communicate clearly the gospel message. Paul does not reject tongues as a gift, but he does emphasize the need for someone to interpret the tongues (v. 10) and the importance of orderly worship (vv ). Understanding what each gift involves can be challenging, so in Lesson 3 (p. 25) we will discuss the gifts in greater depth. Note the difference in these verses between message of wisdom and the message of knowledge (v. 8). One is not more important than the other. Knowledge may indicate an extraordinary ability to know what Scripture means. Wisdom may indicate a giftedness in knowing how to apply it. F irst Corinthians 12; 13; and 14 communicate the common theme of using spiritual gifts for building up the church and glorifying God, not drawing attention to oneself (12:7; 13:1; 14:12). What words does Paul use to emphasize that the different gifts come from one source (vv. 8-10)? Distinguishing between the gifts is important but should not distract us from Scripture s main point in these verses: God has given the church a variety of gifts, and He deserves the glory from each. FOR A SPIRITUAL DEMONSTRATION 1 CORINTHIANS 12:6-7,11 As we celebrate God s gifts, we must take care not to worship the gift or use it to draw attention to ourselves. Think about your birthday. Receiving gifts is great, but they are really an expression of something far greater the deep love and affection another person has for you. The same is true with our spiritual gifts. They are given from God, but they are not to be given more attention than God. He is the one who is d active (see Key Words, p. 11) in everyone and everything (v. 7). Like all of His creation, spiritual gifts are intended to point us and others back to Him. This was a problem in the Corinthian church. In chapter 14, Paul addresses the fact that some were treating the ability to speak in tongues as a superior gift. 14 Y O U _2017_SPR.indb 14 10/20/16 8:03 PM

15 The Gift That s Meant to Be Used 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Do some people today tend to think some spiritual gifts are more important than others? Which ones? Why? This passage also reminds us that spiritual gifts are not for the superspiritual. There is not an elite group of Christians who are gifted while the rest of us are expected to sit back and watch. When gardeners plant a seed, they are expecting produce. No one plants a seed and hopes for nothing to happen. The same is true with God. He has given you and me specific spiritual gifts for a specific role He has in mind. If we refuse to maximize our gift, then we and others are missing out on the greatest benefits that He wants to produce in and through our lives. What is your spiritual gift? How are your using it to benefit God and others? Resources are avilable to help you identify and define each gift (such as Help Your People Discover Their Spiritual Gifts by C. Gene Wilkes, a free download at or Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts: A Personal Inventory Method by Kenneth C. Kinghorn, published by Zondervan). Live It! God loves the world. He loves those who have put their faith in Him and declared Him to be the Lord of their lives. He loves those who do not yet know Him and has chosen to equip each one of His followers with at least one spiritual gift. He desires that His followers use these gifts to exalt His Son, not themselves. He expects His followers to use these gifts to share the gospel and lead those who do not know Him to faith in Him. If you have not yet identified your spiritual gift(s), ask God to help you see how He has gifted you. Also, study these verses: Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10,28-30; Ephesians 4:11; 1 Peter 4:9-11. SO WHAT? How does this apply to me? When seeds are planted and grow, they produce fruit that leads to multiplication. God has planted a spiritual gift in you. He wants you to use it so you will have a fruitful walk with Him and so you can help make more disciples. If He intentionally selected a specific gift for you and invited you to join Him in His work, why would you not use it? Decide to pause each day this week to thank God for the spiritual gift(s) He has This week, how can you guard against pride and the temptation to use your gift to draw given you. Name them specifically. Ask Him to open attention to yourself? your eyes so you can understand how to use them most effectively for Him. W ho are the people you associate with often who are not followers of Jesus? How might God have designed your gift to lead them to Him? Y OU _2017_SPR.indb 15 10/20/16 8:03 PM

16 1. SPIRITUAL GIFTS 1 Corinthians 12:7 2. FINE CHINA 1 Peter 4:10 Did you know that you are gifted? All believers are given a gift from God that is an illustration of Him, which is special and unique to you. If you don t know what that gift is, pray and seek wisdom about it. You can even take an assessment that may help you identify your gift. Once you know what the gift is, honor the Lord by using it. Identify ways you can use your spiritual gift for Him. Unlike china, silver, or crystal that s used on special occasions, your spiritual gift should be used often and should be used to serve others. It is a gift greater than money can buy. It is given to you by your Heavenly Father with hope that you will be obedient and use it to glorify His kingdom. Never let your gift get dusty like the good dishes just sitting on the shelf. Use it the way God intended. Lord, thank You for my spiritual gift. Please give me wisdom on how it should be used to glorify You. Glorious Father, thank You that I don t have to put my spiritual gift on the shelf until special occasions but can use it as often as You see fit. DAILY READINGS 3. THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING James 1:17 4. DIFFERENT GIFTS SAME SPIRIT 1 Corinthians 12:4 When I was a child, getting gifts was exciting. Although there was that one gift that you weren t too excited to receive because it was something you needed. You didn t initially understand it was a gift until you had a need for it. Your spiritual gift is for the greater good as well. And just as that sweater or pair of socks you received was not something you appreciated at the time, you needed them after all. Remember that every perfect gift is from above. A memorable quote from the movie Drumline is, One band, one sound. The band was made up of individuals with various roles, talents, and backgrounds. However, when they came together, they were joined as one, with amazing precision. An individual s actions affected the entire band. This is similar to the spiritual gifts for the body of Christ. There are different gifts from the one Spirit, all working together for the same goal. Awesome God, thank You for this amazing gift. Help me use it according to Your will, not mine. Dear Jesus, as I explore the gifts You ve blessed me with, remind me to use them in ways that complement the giftedness of others. 16 Y O U _2017_SPR.indb 16 10/20/16 8:03 PM

17 HOW TO TEACH Step 1: Read the Lesson and study the Leader Commentary. Unit 1 It s What s Inside that Counts The Gift That s Meant to Be Used Lesson Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 The Question: What is a spiritual gift? The Point: Spiritual gifts come from God, exalt Christ, and fulfill His purpose. The Question: What is a spiritual gift? The Point: Spiritual gifts come from God, exalt Christ, and fulfill His purpose. LESSON PASSAGE KEY WORDS A Bible Study on Spiritual Gifts Everyone loves to receive gifts. Big boxes. Brightly colored paper. Fancy bows. Whether it s Christmas, your birthday, or some other occasion, there is something personal and wonderful about opening a gift that has been picked out just for you. God has a gift for you, one more precious than anything you have ever been given. He has given you a spiritual gift (1 Cor. 12:7-11). Spiritual gifts are more than mere talents, like singing or being a good athlete. Spiritual gifts are special abilities God gives each of His children to enable them to serve Him and His church. If you are a Christian, your gift is already inside you, whether you realize it or not. In this study we will explore 1 Corinthians to gain a better understanding of: what spiritual gifts are, why your gift matters, This commentary is designed to help you think about the question, What is a spiritual gift? and drive home this one truth: Spiritual gifts come from God, exalt Christ, and fulfill His purpose. FOCUS ON THESE POINTS 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-11 Now concerning spiritual gifts: brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be unaware. 2 You know that when you were a pagans, you used to be enticed and led astray by mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, Jesus is cursed, and no one can b say, Jesus is Lord, except by the Holy Spirit. 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 produces each gift in c each person. 7 A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good: 8 to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit, 9 to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of tongues, to another, interpretation of tongues. 11 One and the same Spirit is d active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills. UNIT 1, LESSON 1 (pp ) The Gift That s Meant to Be Used Background Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Lesson Passage: 1 Corinthians 12: LEADER COMMENTARY The leader pages for this lesson are found on pages UNIT 1, LESSON 1 a Pagans: Many in Corinth had worshiped other gods prior to becoming followers of Jesus. b Say: Anyone can speak the words Jesus is Lord, but only genuine believers make this genuine confession. c Each person: That is, each person who confesses Jesus as Lord. Only those who have put their hope in Christ will receive the Holy Spirit. Only those who receive the Holy Spirit will receive a spiritual gift. d Active: All these are em- powered by one and the same Spirit (ESV). But it is the Spirit who does all this and decides which gifts to give to each of us (CEV). But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit (KJV). For more information about key words ( ), visit the glossary on pages MEMORY VERSE 1 Corinthians 12:7 A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good. how your gift fits into God s plan, and One Divine Source (1 Cor. 12:1-5) Paul listed various gifts and declared that each gift came from one and the same source the Holy Spirit. Because misunderstanding spiritual gifts was at the heart of the problem in Corinth, Paul focused on the work of the Holy Spirit in believers which is proof of God s presence no matter what spiritual gifts a believer has. Paul s main point in the first three verses of this section was that all spiritual gifts come from the same Spirit. In verse 5, he altered his terminology slightly. Instead of different gifts, he described these manifestations of the Spirit as different ministries. Instead of the same Spirit, he wrote that these ministries came from the same Lord. Different Manifestations (1 Cor. 12:8-10) Paul s purpose in verses 8-10 was not to detail a complete list of all possible spiritual gifts but rather to emphasize the unity of the Spirit amid the marvelous variety of gifts. The one Holy Spirit is active in many ways through the devoted service of God s people. In verse 8, the phrase message of wisdom recalls an issue Paul addressed earlier in the letter (see 1:18 2:16). Those who claimed this wisdom thought they were more spiritual than members who demonstrated other gifts. Paul rejected that view and its attendant arrogance. However, he affirmed there was indeed a spiritual gift of delivering a message characterized by godly wisdom. Such a message, if genuine, would unify and build up the church, not divide it. The gift of a message of knowledge would follow the same pattern. Some Corinthians put a premium on having knowledge, but their knowledge became a L E A D E R PA G E S Y O U YOU 11 BEFORE YOU TEACH FOR UNIT 1, LESSON 1 (pp ) STEP 1 TAKE THE SURVEY. Take time in advance to build your own knowledge base on spiritual gifts. Preview the resources recommended in the Learner Guide (p. 15): Discover Your Spiritual Gifts by Gene Wilkes, a free downloadable inventory from or Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts: A Personal Inventory Method by Kenneth C. Kinghorn. Consider taking the inventory yourself; it may be useful in answering your learners questions this month. Step 2: Prepare to teach an exciting lesson using the Before You Teach page for each lesson. STEP 2 DEVELOP YOUR CULTURE. By starting this study in chapter 12, we must not overlook the fact that we are picking up in the middle of a letter. Help your learners understand the context by providing some background information into the issues present in the Corinthian church. BACK Welcome members and guests. Briefly review last week s lesson from Acts 5. Invite volunteers to briefly share examples of how they demonstrated their citizenship last week not just of their country but of heaven as well. Explain that this week s lesson continues to look at how we bring honor to God through the use of our spiritual gifts. As citizens of His kingdom, God has equipped us to be useful and productive for His great mission: reaching those who have yet to put their faith in Him. YOU OBJECT LESSON SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND JELLY BEANS Bring a bag of jelly beans. Let learners choose their favorite flavor(s). Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-5 and explain the connection between jelly beans and spiritual gifts. Say: Jelly beans have many flavors but are all essentially the same: corn starch, sugar, and corn syrup. Likewise, we have a variety of spiritual gifts, but they come from the same source: the Holy Spirit. Note that like a mixed bag of jelly beans, spiritual gifts are distributed to the church in a mixture. God doesn t gift everyone in the church in the same way. He does not gift us randomly, though. God specifically designs and instills each gift in each believer and then places them in the right bag (or church) for His purposes. Encourage learners to think about that the next time they eat jelly beans. 102 YOU L EADER PAGES FOR UNIT 1, LESSON 1 (pp ) Write the following words on the board: entreat, acquiesce, capitulate, pilfer, exorbitant, luminary, corpulent, proclivity, abysmal, malaise. Explain that these words come from a list of the top one thousand words most likely to appear on college or graduate school entrance exams. Set a timer for two minutes and ask learners to work with a neighbor to see how many they know (from memory!). No cell phones allowed! When time is up, see which ones the group does and doesn t know. Avoid making it into a competition or highlighting who knows the least. Make sure you look up the definitions prior to class. Explain that in spiritual terms, the topic of spiritual gifts was one such topic that Paul felt the Corinthian church needed to understand. Say: We, likewise, need to know what spiritual gifts are, where they come from, and how they are used. STEP 3 DON T BE AFRAID. STEP 4 PROVIDE BACKGROUND. THE GIFT THAT S MEANT TO BE USED (TEACHING PLAN) INTRODUCTION Discuss whether these words are necessary for college readiness. Ask learners to turn back to their neighbors and develop a short list of basic knowledge people need (examples: how to wash clothes, how to use an oven/stove, etc.). After brief discussion, invite learners to share aloud. You can take steps to change the culture of your group. Use your class list or private social media group to highlight what you are learning in the lesson throughout the week. Keep the messages short and uplifting; avoid nagging your learners or shaming them into reading their lessons. Include in the message one discussion question you know you will ask on Sunday. This week s lesson deals with topics such as gifts of healing (v. 9), the performing of miracles (v. 10), or speaking in different kinds of tongues (v. 10). Be mindful that these topics have led to sharp disagreements among Christians for good reasons. Study your Leader Commentary carefully. Consult other trusted reference material for added insight. For a Spiritual Demonstration (1 Cor. 12:6-7,11) In verse 6 Paul used the phrase different activities all coming from the same God. Take note of Paul s pattern: gifts, ministries, activities coming to believers from Spirit, Lord, and God (a reference to the three Persons of the Trinity). With this threefold affirmation Paul was driving home this truth: all spiritual gifts have their source in God. Then he provided the application: spiritual gifts are active in everyone (that is, in all believers) and everything. A spiritual gift and a manifestation of the Spirit (v. 7) refer to the same reality, but Paul s continued use of the word Spirit is significant. As the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is fully God. All spiritual gifts are to be received and used to produce what is beneficial to the church and its unity. Verse 11 sums up the main point of the previous section and is a bridge to Paul s analogy of the church as a body. All gifts come from the same source, the Spirit, and need to be respected and appreciated by the church. Need more commentary/articles to increase your understanding? Visit how love is essential as you use your gift. 10 YOU source of vanity and pride (see 8:1). These first two spiritual gifts highlight the value of a Christian s speaking wisely, graciously, and correctly to bring unity to the church. The gift described as performing of miracles (v. 10) covers various kinds of miracles other than healing. The gift of prophecy refers not only to foretelling but also to forth-telling. It is a speech gift given by the Spirit for instructing the church and proclaiming the gospel. Paul later indicated that all Christians would do well to desire this gift above any other (see 14:1). In the New Testament we find two possible ways to understand the phrase different kinds of tongues (v. 10). One is that of using a language known to the hearer but unknown to the speaker to declare the gospel message (see Acts 2:7-8,11). The other understanding is that of uttering ecstatic speech unknown to both the speaker and hearer. Paul addressed extensively both the gift and the controversy in chapter 14. Step 3: Use the Teaching Plan for each lesson to prepare and facilitate an in-depth discussion of the lesson passage. Don t forget that you can cut out the Teaching Plan if you want to be on the same page as members of your group. DIG INTO THE TEXT ONE DIVINE SOURCE 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-5 Remind learners of commonly heard phrases such as, Ignorance is bliss and What they don t know can t hurt them. Use the commentary (p. 105) to explain how the topic of spiritual gifts was causing a problem in the Corinthian church. Say: In their case ignorance was certainly not bliss; what they didn t know was hurting them. Use the Learner Guide (p. 13) to help learners distinguish between God-given talents (which are given to everyone) and spiritual gifts (which are given only to Christians). Emphasize the fact that distinguishing between these two will be important throughout this entire series of lessons. Ask the second question (p. 12) under the heading One Divine Source, that asks: What could be so dangerous if the Corinthian church (or your church) misunderstood the nature, purpose, and origin of spiritual gifts? Discuss responses. Use the Object Lesson (p. 102) to help explain verses 4-5. Once completed, invite learners to eat the jelly beans they have chosen. DIFFERENT MANIFESTATIONS 1 CORINTHIANS 12:8-10 Keep in mind that the third lesson in this unit The Big Picture (1 Cor. 12:27-31) will also help unpack the differences between the gifts. Use the commentary (p. 105) to provide an overview of the gifts listed in this passage. Point out that this is not an exhaustive list (also see Rom. 12:6-8; Eph. 4:11; and 1 Pet. 4:911). Supplement the discussion with information from the Biblical Illustrator article Paul s Spiritual Gifts List: A Comparison. (Log on to com/you. Click on the DOWNLOADABLES tab for additional study helps for Unit 1, Lesson 1.) Use the Learner Guide (p. 12) to highlight the diversity of God s creation. Enlist a learner to read the first paragraph of this section of the Learner Guide that begins, Gardeners know. Explain that we see great L E A D E R PA G E S Y O U Step 4: Visit for more leader commentary, articles to enhance your understanding of the lesson passage, and a midweek plan that can be adapted for midweek or worship services _2017_SPR.indb /20/16 8:05 PM

18 BEFORE YOU TEACH FOR UNIT 1, LESSON 1 (pp ) STEP 1 TAKE THE SURVEY. Take time in advance to build your own knowledge base on spiritual gifts. Preview the resources recommended in the Learner Guide (p. 15): Discover Your Spiritual Gifts by Gene Wilkes, a free downloadable inventory from or Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts: A Personal Inventory Method by Kenneth C. Kinghorn. Consider taking the inventory yourself; it may be useful in answering your learners questions this month. STEP 2 DEVELOP YOUR CULTURE. You can take steps to change the culture of your group. Use your class list or private social media group to highlight what you are learning in the lesson throughout the week. Keep the messages short and uplifting; avoid nagging your learners or shaming them into reading their lessons. Include in the message one discussion question you know you will ask on Sunday. STEP 3 DON T BE AFRAID. This week s lesson deals with topics such as gifts of healing (v. 9), the performing of miracles (v. 10), or speaking in different kinds of tongues (v. 10). Be mindful that these topics have led to sharp disagreements among Christians for good reasons. Study your Leader Commentary carefully. Consult other trusted reference material for added insight. STEP 4 PROVIDE BACKGROUND. By starting this study in chapter 12, we must not overlook the fact that we are picking up in the middle of a letter. Help your learners understand the context by providing some background information into the issues present in the Corinthian church. BACK Welcome members and guests. Briefly review last week s lesson from Acts 5. Invite volunteers to briefly share examples of how they demonstrated their citizenship last week not just of their country but of heaven as well. Explain that this week s lesson continues to look at how we bring honor to God through the use of our spiritual gifts. As citizens of His kingdom, God has equipped us to be useful and productive for His great mission: reaching those who have yet to put their faith in Him. YOU OBJECT LESSON SPIRITUAL GIFTS AND JELLY BEANS Bring a bag of jelly beans. Let learners choose their favorite flavor(s). Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-5 and explain the connection between jelly beans and spiritual gifts. Say: Jelly beans have many flavors but are all essentially the same: corn starch, sugar, and corn syrup. Likewise, we have a variety of spiritual gifts, but they come from the same source: the Holy Spirit. Note that like a mixed bag of jelly beans, spiritual gifts are distributed to the church in a mixture. God doesn t gift everyone in the church in the same way. He does not gift us randomly, though. God specifically designs and instills each gift in each believer and then places them in the right bag (or church) for His purposes. Encourage learners to think about that the next time they eat jelly beans. 102 Y O U LE A D E R PAG ES _2017_SPR.indb /20/16 8:05 PM

19 THE GIFT THAT S MEANT TO BE USED (TEACHING PLAN) FOR UNIT 1, LESSON 1 (pp ) INTRODUCTION Write the following words on the board: entreat, acquiesce, capitulate, pilfer, exorbitant, luminary, corpulent, proclivity, abysmal, malaise. Explain that these words come from a list of the top one thousand words most likely to appear on college or graduate school entrance exams. Set a timer for two minutes and ask learners to work with a neighbor to see how many they know (from memory!). No cell phones allowed! When time is up, see which ones the group does and doesn t know. Avoid making it into a competition or highlighting who knows the least. Make sure you look up the definitions prior to class. Discuss whether these words are necessary for college readiness. Ask learners to turn back to their neighbors and develop a short list of basic knowledge people need (examples: how to wash clothes, how to use an oven/stove, etc.). After brief discussion, invite learners to share aloud. Explain that in spiritual terms, the topic of spiritual gifts was one such topic that Paul felt the Corinthian church needed to understand. Say: We, likewise, need to know what spiritual gifts are, where they come from, and how they are used. DIG INTO THE TEXT ONE DIVINE SOURCE 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-5 R emind learners of commonly heard phrases such as, Ignorance is bliss and What they don t know can t hurt them. Use the commentary (p. 105) to explain how the topic of spiritual gifts was causing a problem in the Corinthian church. Say: In their case ignorance was certainly not bliss; what they didn t know was hurting them. Use the Learner Guide (p. 13) to help learners distinguish between God-given talents (which are given to everyone) and spiritual gifts (which are given only to Christians). Emphasize the fact that distinguishing between these two will be important throughout this entire series of lessons. A sk the second question (p. 12) under the heading One Divine Source, that asks: What could be so dangerous if the Corinthian church (or your church) misunderstood the nature, purpose, and origin of spiritual gifts? Discuss responses. U se the Object Lesson (p. 102) to help explain verses 4-5. Once completed, invite learners to eat the jelly beans they have chosen. DIFFERENT MANIFESTATIONS 1 CORINTHIANS 12:8-10 K eep in mind that the third lesson in this unit The Big Picture (1 Cor. 12:27-31) will also help unpack the differences between the gifts. Use the commentary (p. 105) to provide an overview of the gifts listed in this passage. Point out that this is not an exhaustive list (also see Rom. 12:6-8; Eph. 4:11; and 1 Pet. 4:911). Supplement the discussion with information from the Biblical Illustrator article Paul s Spiritual Gifts List: A Comparison. (Log on to com/you. Click on the DOWNLOADABLES tab for additional study helps for Unit 1, Lesson 1.) U se the Learner Guide (p. 12) to highlight the diversity of God s creation. Enlist a learner to read the first paragraph of this section of the Learner Guide that begins, Gardeners know. Explain that we see great L E A DE R PA GE S Y OU _2017_SPR.indb /20/16 8:05 PM

20 THE GIFT THAT S MEANT TO BE USED (TEACHING PLAN) FOR UNIT 1, LESSON 1 (pp ) diversity in nature and in people. Ask: How would all of creation suffer (both nature and humans) if there was a lack of diversity? Point out that we should not be surprised when we find a diversity of spiritual gifts in the church. Say: Paul emphasizes the common source of our spiritual gifts: the Holy Spirit. Ask: Why it is important to remember that all gifts are given by the same Spirit? Discuss responses. FOR A SPIRITUAL DEMONSTRATION 1 CORINTHIANS 12:6-7, 11 I nvite learners to discuss examples in the Bible of how God used ordinary people to do extraordinary things (samples: Abraham, David, Mary, Peter). Explain that God s use of the ordinary is a theme that runs throughout the Bible, and this pattern gives us a glimpse into His character. Point out that Christians must remember that God gives spiritual gifts primarily so He can be exalted. And while we focus on exalting Christ, we must not let false humility settle in. False humility would say, I m not worth much. Others have great gifts but not me. Ask learners to consider this question from the Learner Guide (p. 15), What is your spiritual gift? How are your using it to benefit God and others? Allow time for learners to discuss their responses. SO WHAT? HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME? Learning about spiritual gifts is really learning about yourself. But it is so much more than that. It really is about seeing what God is doing and wants to do through your life. If we are to use spiritual gifts in a way that honors God, it is foundational that we understand the purpose of the gifts to exalt Christ and to benefit the church. Not on the list of purposes for spiritual gifts is the exaltation of prideful Christians or of certain gifts. These questions will help you lead learners to consider if they are using their gifts in a spiritual way: W ill you pray this week, asking God to clarify what spiritual gift(s) He has given you? N ame the people you associate with often who are not followers of Jesus? How might God have designed your gift to lead them to Him? T his week, how can you guard against pride and the temptation to use your gift to draw attention to yourself? H ow are you using your spiritual gifts to support God s work through your local church? CLOSE THE SESSION Challenge learners to consider the extent to which they are using their gifts in the way God intended. Say: As you think about your spiritual gift, don t think that this is something minor or only for the superspiritual. If you have put your faith in Jesus, the Holy Spirit dwells in you and has uniquely gifted you. Close in prayer, thanking God for individuals in your past who used their spiritual gifts to lead you to faith in Christ and to help you grow in your walk with Him. Pray that God will also strengthen class members resolve to use their gifts in the Spirit s power in the days ahead. 104 Y O U LE A D E R PAG ES _2017_SPR.indb /20/16 8:05 PM

21 LEADER COMMENTARY UNIT 1, LESSON 1 (pp ) The Gift That s Meant to Be Used Lesson Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 The Question: What is a spiritual gift? The Point: Spiritual gifts come from God, exalt Christ, and fulfill His purpose. This commentary is designed to help you think about the question, What is a spiritual gift? and drive home this one truth: Spiritual gifts come from God, exalt Christ, and fulfill His purpose. FOCUS ON THESE POINTS One Divine Source (1 Cor. 12:1-5) Paul listed various gifts and declared that each gift came from one and the same source the Holy Spirit. Because misunderstanding spiritual gifts was at the heart of the problem in Corinth, Paul focused on the work of the Holy Spirit in believers which is proof of God s presence no matter what spiritual gifts a believer has. Paul s main point in the first three verses of this section was that all spiritual gifts come from the same Spirit. In verse 5, he altered his terminology slightly. Instead of different gifts, he described these manifestations of the Spirit as different ministries. Instead of the same Spirit, he wrote that these ministries came from the same Lord. Different Manifestations (1 Cor. 12:8-10) Paul s purpose in verses 8-10 was not to detail a complete list of all possible spiritual gifts but rather to emphasize the unity of the Spirit amid the marvelous variety of gifts. The one Holy Spirit is active in many ways through the devoted service of God s people. In verse 8, the phrase message of wisdom recalls an issue Paul addressed earlier in the letter (see 1:18 2:16). Those who claimed this wisdom thought they were more spiritual than members who demonstrated other gifts. Paul rejected that view and its attendant arrogance. However, he affirmed there was indeed a spiritual gift of delivering a message characterized by godly wisdom. Such a message, if genuine, would unify and build up the church, not divide it. The gift of a message of knowledge would follow the same pattern. Some Corinthians put a premium on having knowledge, but their knowledge became a source of vanity and pride (see 8:1). These first two spiritual gifts highlight the value of a Christian s speaking wisely, graciously, and correctly to bring unity to the church. The gift described as performing of miracles (v. 10) covers various kinds of miracles other than healing. The gift of prophecy refers not only to foretelling but also to forth-telling. It is a speech gift given by the Spirit for instructing the church and proclaiming the gospel. Paul later indicated that all Christians would do well to desire this gift above any other (see 14:1). In the New Testament we find two possible ways to understand the phrase different kinds of tongues (v. 10). One is that of using a language known to the hearer but unknown to the speaker to declare the gospel message (see Acts 2:7-8,11). The other understanding is that of uttering ecstatic speech unknown to both the speaker and hearer. Paul addressed extensively both the gift and the controversy in chapter 14. For a Spiritual Demonstration (1 Cor. 12:6-7,11) In verse 6 Paul used the phrase different activities all coming from the same God. Take note of Paul s pattern: gifts, ministries, activities coming to believers from Spirit, Lord, and God (a reference to the three Persons of the Trinity). With this threefold affirmation Paul was driving home this truth: all spiritual gifts have their source in God. Then he provided the application: spiritual gifts are active in everyone (that is, in all believers) and everything. A spiritual gift and a manifestation of the Spirit (v. 7) refer to the same reality, but Paul s continued use of the word Spirit is significant. As the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is fully God. All spiritual gifts are to be received and used to produce what is beneficial to the church and its unity. Verse 11 sums up the main point of the previous section and is a bridge to Paul s analogy of the church as a body. All gifts come from the same source, the Spirit, and need to be respected and appreciated by the church. Need more commentary/articles to increase your understanding? Visit L E A DE R PA GE S Y OU _2017_SPR.indb /20/16 8:05 PM

22 KEY WORDS GLOSSARY The first page of every lesson provides an overview of the lesson, including the lesson title, lesson passages, and key words from the biblical text. The key words marked with a have been explained more fully in this glossary. Adding to it or taking from it: Nothing Come to their senses: The wording indicates a return to sobriety, like a drunkard who had lost control of his faculties. (Unit 3, Lesson 1) Appointed times: Seasons or historical periods. (Unit 2, Lesson 1) Doors: Plural, indicates either a double-door anyone does can alter the slightest act of God. (Unit 2, Lesson 5) Areopagus: A hill overlooking the marketplace, an area that hosted gatherings where philosophical and religious ideas were debated. (Unit 2, Lesson 1) Be diligent: Study (KJV). God uses His Word to reveal Himself to humanity. So it s important that believers handle it well. (Unit 3, Lesson 1) Believes all things: Not a proposal for naiveté in relationships with believers; instead this describes a Christian who trusts that God is sovereignly working all things together for His purposes (Rom. 8:28). (Unit 1, Lesson 4) Belong: Body parts cannot claim independence from the whole; likewise, Christians are a part of the larger body of Christ. We are connected to one another. (Unit 1, Lesson 2) Canaanites and Perizzites: Other residents of the land were watching to see how Abram and Lot settled their conflict. What example are you setting for others regarding conflicts? (Unit 3, Lesson 2) Church: The called out ones ; Jesus community of believers. See Matthew 18:17. (Unit 2, Lesson 4) Circumcised: Circumcision served as a sign of Israel s special relationship with God (Acts 7). It would mean that Gentiles became Jewish before they became Christians. (Unit 3, Lesson 3) entrance or, more probably, an entrance door into the house as well as a door into the room. (Unit 2, Lesson 3) Extorted: Cheated (NIV); defrauded (ESV); taken... by false accusation (KJV).. (Unit 3, Lesson 4) From beginning to end: All of time, including all of time that has yet to occur. (Unit 2, Lesson 5) Gates of Hades: Death and its power. (Unit 2, Lesson 4) Helping: Some are gifted with a great love for serving and helping behind the scenes. This calls for great humility and deserves great honor (1 Cor. 12:22-23). (Unit 1, Lesson 3) Mary Magdalene: One of the women who followed and supported Jesus, from Magdala in Galilee, who experienced dramatic healing when seven demons came out of her. A key witness to Jesus death, burial, the empty tomb, and the first to encounter the risen Christ. (Unit 2, Lesson 3) Mirror: In Paul s day mirrors were not glass but polished metal, such as bronze. As a result, the Corinthians would have viewed mirrors as something that gave an indistinct or imperfect reflection. (Unit 1, Lesson 4) Mute idols: Speechless idols (AMP); from one phony god to another (MSG). (Unit 1, Lesson 1) 160 Y O U _2017_SPR.indb /20/16 8:06 PM

23 KEY WORDS GLOSSARY Other disciple Jesus loved: One of Jesus disciples, traditionally identified as John, author of the Gospel. (Unit 2, Lesson 3) People of Athens: Learned men, philosophers, who worshiped false gods. (Unit 2, Lesson 1) Prophets: From the Greek prophetes, meaning to speak before or to speak for. New Testament prophecy is often connected to the clear proclamation of the gospel. (Unit 1, Lesson 3) Quarreling: Strife (KJV). Indicates a verbal confrontation rather than a legal issue. (Unit 3, Lesson 2) Same: In the church in Corinth, the topic of spiritual gifts was divisive (1 Cor ). Paul is reiterating that all gifts are given for a singular purpose God s glory. (Unit 1, Lesson 1) Seek: Zacchaeus had sought Jesus by climbing a tree, but Jesus had sought Zacchaeus for something much greater. (Unit 3, Lesson 4) Simon Peter: One of the 12 disciples; typically Sodom and Gomorrah: Twin cities destroyed by God. While scholars are not sure of their exact location, some believe they stood under what is now the southern end of the Dead Sea. (Unit 3, Lesson 2) Son of the living God: Emphasized both Jesus deity (Son of God) and His humanity (the Word made flesh). (Unit 2, Lesson 4) Speak: The thread that connects chapters 12; 13; and 14. Paul infuses the discussion of spiritual gifts with an essential discussion about love between fellow Christians (Unit 1, Lesson 4) Task: A broad term for all human activity; everything with which people keep themselves busy. (Unit 2, Lesson 5) Tax collector: Publicans (KJV). Individuals who gathered taxes for the Romans. They usually cheated people by charging them too much and keeping the profits. The Jews considered a Jewish tax collector (like Zacchaeus) a traitor. (Unit 3, Lesson 4) We: Suggests the presence of other women at the empty tomb besides Mary. (Unit 2, Lesson 3) spokesman for the group. (Unit 2, Lesson 4) Y OU _2017_SPR.indb /20/16 8:06 PM

24 COMING NEXT QUARTER UNIT 1 CONNECT God Is... Lesson 1 Holy Exodus 3:2-8a,13-15 Lesson 2 Caring Psalm 23 Lesson 3 Righteous Jeremiah 23:5-6; Romans 3:10-12, Lesson 4 Love 1 John 4:7-12,20-21 UNIT 2 GROW Even Saints Suffer Lesson 1 A Common Predicament Job 1:1,5,8-12,19-22 Lesson 2 Our Companions in Pain Job 2:3,7-13; Hebrews 4:15-16 Lesson 3 Continuing Faith s Path Job 3:1-3,11-12,16,20,23: 13:15; 14:14; 19:25 Lesson 4 A Consistent Paradox Job 9:27-35 Lesson 5 Our Comprehension of God s Purpose Job 42:2-6,10,12,16-17 UNIT 3 GO! Mission Possible Lesson 1 Powered Up Luke 4:14-19,22,24-27 Lesson 2 Balancing Act Luke 5:17-26 Lesson 3 Unlabeled Luke 7:36-48 Lesson 4 Unleashed Luke 8:11-15; 1 Corinthians 3: Y O U _2017_SPR.indb 162 MEET THE WRITERS Justin Smith wrote Unit 1 Learner, Leader, Object Lessons, and Leader Commentaries. He teaches English and Bible at a public high school in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. His wife, Marsha, is the love of his life; they are the proud parents of two daughters, Caroline and Kate. Belle Aire Baptist Church has been his church home since childhood; he currently serves there as a deacon and Sunday School teacher. Dr. Becky Carr Imhauser wrote Unit 2 Learner, Leader, Object Lessons, and Leader Commentaries. She is an author, conference leader, and frequent contributor to LifeWay publications. A minister s widow, Becky met her husband Bill when he was her Sunday School teacher. Now they team-teach Bible studies at First Baptist Church, Sedalia, Missouri. She holds degrees from William Jewell College and Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. Bob Bunn wrote Unit 3 Learner, Leader, Object Lessons, and Leader Commentaries. He is a seasoned Christian-publishing writer and editor. Bob holds degrees from Liberty University, Ohio University, and Southern Seminary. He teaches youth in his local church. Bob and his wife, Mary, are the proud parents of Bobby, Caleb, and Lora. Tehesha Nichols wrote Units 1, 2, and 3 daily readings. She is a member of Beacon Hill Missionary Baptist Church in Chicago Heights, Illinois, and a graduate of Hampton University. She enjoys reading and has a passion for writing. *Subject to change 10/20/16 8:06 PM