Whether you are Pentecostal, Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, non-denomination, etc., this is for you!
God is a God of order…
The evidence is all over creation. From the constellations to the perfect orbits of the planets around the sun, you can see how meticulously God planned our solar system.
I am in awe of our Creator as I observe things like weather patterns, the topography of the earth, the behaviors and instincts of animals, sound waves, the complex systems of the human body, and much more!
Look at the amazing structure of the eye ball if you ever doubt that our Creator is a God of order! Observe the intricacies of a single cell. God has ordered to perfection even the smallest details of life!
Romans 1:20 declares, “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
What does this have to do with our study of 1 Corinthians? How does this connect with spiritual gifts and the movement of the Spirit in our churches?
Creation reveals much about the character and attributes of God. By observing the works of His hands, we can see that God is not a God of chaos and disorder, but that He has a perfect plan for everything He has made.
That includes us as the church! What a profound truth to realize!
Hence, this is the foundation for our understanding of God’s intentions in this week’s study of 1 Corinthians, particularly chapters 12 and 14. Local churches may differ in their interpretation of the use of spiritual gifts or in what constitutes order in the worship service, but we can trust that God knew exactly what He was doing when He established the Church, placed us in it, and distributed His gifts as He saw fit.
When we take a moment to grasp some understanding of the nature of God as Creator, and as a God of order, we have a clearer understanding of how the complexities of all the members within the body of Christ can work together, although very different from each other, to become one solid, unified organism that will bring God glory. Just as God has placed all the intricacies of the human body to work perfectly in sync, that is also His plan for Christ’s spiritual body, that is, the Church.
In order for the church to fulfill its destiny as God has designed it, God has provided diverse gifts as well as guidelines to use these gifts in order to edify each other and build the Kingdom of God. He purposely did not give us all the same gifts or anointing. Each member has been given a specific gift, or more, according to God’s infinite wisdom and His perfect plan. These gifts are not to be a source of pride or contention, but rather should be a source of unity within the body. We complement each other through our differences.
How to move freely in the gifts is another area of dispute among churches as well. However, 1 Corinthians 14 offers practical guidelines to ensure an orderly worship service, regardless of our preferences or styles. We can have full freedom in the Spirit and yet still maintain orderly guidelines according to God’s Word. Keep in mind, however, because of our unique personalities and experiences, we may still have various ways to interpret Paul’s suggestions. That is when we need to take it before God and allow the Holy Spirit to ultimately guide us.
In addition, we must be careful about criticizing or condemning those whose worship services differ from ours. God moves in innumerable ways and gives a sundry of different gifts; yet, it all stems from one and the same Spirit.
1 Corinthians 12:4-6 NLT instructs us: “There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us.”
Thus, as we recognize our diversity, we must keep in mind that we all serve the same God. Since God is creative and powerful enough to make the complex systems of this earth, and of our bodies, to work together in perfect order, He can certainly do the same in our churches.
To tie it all together, however, let’s zero in on the most beautiful chapter of the entire book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, or The Love Chapter. Right in between the chapters on spiritual gifts and order in the service, God reminds us that love is what binds us all together. We can have all kinds of spiritual gifts, abilities, or powers, but without love, we are nothing. Love is the greatest of all, and it stands far above all the other pieces that can divide us. It is love that holds us together!
As in the motto of our study:
In essentials, UNITY;
In non-essentials, or opinions, LIBERTY;
In all things – LOVE!
Discussion Questions
Here is a sneak peek of the questions we will be discussing this week in our small groups.
ICE BREAKER: Sometimes, in our attempt to be dignified and to put our best foot forward, we may fall on our faces, even in church! What is the funniest or most embarrassing moment you have experienced or witnessed in church?
Before we begin our questions, let’s take a quick moment to look over this compiled list of spiritual gifts from 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Peter 4.
- Administration
- Apostleship
- Discernment
- Evangelism
- Exhortation/Encouragement
- Faith
- Giving
- Healing
- Interpretation of Tongues
- Knowledge
- Leadership
- Mercy/Compassion
- Miracles
- Pastor/Shepherd
- Prophecy
- Serving/Ministering
- Teaching
- Tongues
- Wisdom
“There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all… A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other.” 1 Corinthians 12:7 NLT
QUESTION 1: As we remember that God chooses which gifts to give each person, and that He distributes these gifts for the good of all, we do not need to make comparisons that either make us feel inferior to someone else or that will puff us up with pride. We are all parts of one body.
With this in mind, what do you consider to be your primary spiritual gifts? And, can you describe a time God enabled you to use your gifts?
“But our bodies have many parts, and God has put each part just where he wants it.” 1 Corinthians 12:18 NLT
The body of Christ is made up of people with many differences – different backgrounds, personalities, gifts, talents, temperaments, idiosyncrasies, viewpoints, etc. The temptation is to see people with an attitude of cynicism as our default, and we can be quick to criticize others who are different. However, once we understand that we are all part of one body, and that God is the one who equips each one of us differently, we can learn to appreciate the uniqueness each one brings to the body. It is our differences that make us beautiful as well as functional as the body of Christ.
QUESTION 2: What are some of the different backgrounds and gifts you see within your local church? What are some disagreements or problems you have seen among believers because of these differences?
QUESTION 3: What is a better way to treat those in the body who see or do things differently than we do, who display their spiritual gifts differently than what we are used to, and who have different denominational backgrounds?
“Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT
QUESTION 4: As we consider this beautiful description of love, what are some areas God is affirming in your heart that you are doing well, and what are some areas the Spirit is convicting you to improve?
QUESTION 5: Think of a recent or current relationship conflict you have experienced. How can love help to mend what has been broken? What are some practical ways you can pour love into this relationship? (Think through 1 Corinthians 13:4-7.)
“But be sure that everything is done properly and in order.” 1 Corinthians 14:40 NLT
QUESTION 6: Paul goes into quite a bit of detail in chapter 14 about order in the church. We all have diverse backgrounds and worship preferences, but even with our different styles, we are admonished to do all things “properly and in order.” What are some principles we can apply for orderly worship services?
This Week’s Assignments
- Read 1 Corinthians, chapters 15-16 (Read commentary in addition if you wish.)
- Read Week 6, “Real Life” pp. 175-200
- Attend a small group
- Watch this week’s video on Heart to Heart
- Work on memorizing this week’s Bible verse:
But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. 1 Corinthians 15:57-58 NLT
- Weekly Wrap-Up, pp. 201-203
- Digging Deeper articles, Week 6: “Afterlife”
- Blog or journal your insights.
- Choose one “Practical Application” idea to implement this week.
See here for Reading Schedule, Practical Applications, and additional information.
I am praying that you have an awesome week of Bible study! I hope to see you in one of our small groups!
God bless!
