spiritual gifts in the bible

MEMORY VERSE: “ For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth.” Ephesians 5:9.

BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

INTRODUCTION

For every believer in Christ Jesus, it is essential to be able to distinguish between the spiritual gifts and the fruit of the Spirit, this would help them optimise their roles in a believer’s life. Both come from the Holy Spirit but serve different purposes: one focuses on service and edification, while the other reflects character and spiritual maturity.

OUTLINE

1. YOU NEED BOTH!
2. FURTHER DISTICTIONS BETWEEN THEM

1. YOU NEED BOTH!

Spiritual gifts are supernatural abilities given by the Holy Spirit to equip believers for ministry and service in the body of Christ. The Holy Spirit distributes them according to His will and specific purposes of each believer to whom at least one gift is given. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. These gifts include prophecy, healing, teaching, serving, giving, and leadership, and many more Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10. The primary purpose of spiritual gifts is to build up the church, encourage others, and glorify God 1 Corinthians 14:26. The Holy Spirit determines who receives each gift, ensuring the diversity and unity of the body of Christ 1 Corinthians 12:11. While gifts are freely given, they require active use, growth, and stewardship through practice, prayer and learning to keep flourishing in the life of the believer. 1 Timothy 4:14.

The fruit of the Spirit represents the character traits and virtues that grow in believers as they walk closely with God Galatians 5:25. It reflects the character of Christ as we walk in close relationship with Him and include joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, righteousness and truth Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5-9. The fruit produced in believers reflect His nature John 15:4-5. The fruit of the Spirit is a sign of spiritual growth and maturity 2 Peter 3:18, A believer’s life is recognised by the presence of these virtues Matthew 7:16-20. Growth in the fruit requires intentional obedience to God’s word,prayer, and avoiding sinful influences Psalm 1:1-3.

2. FURTHER DISTICTIONS BETWEEN THEM

Both spiritual gifts and the fruit of the Spirit are essential for a balanced christian life. However, spiritual gifts empower believers for ministry, while the fruit of the Spirit shapes them into Christ-like individuals. Spiritual gifts focus on abilities for service while the Fruit of the Spirit focuses on character and maturity of the believer. Spiritual gifts are given to each believer uniquely whereas all the key components of the fruit are expected to be evident in every believer. A believer is given Spiritual gifts to edify others, but the fruit is produced to reflect Christ’s nature. Spiritual gifts are diverse and specific to roles given to each believer. However, the fruit of the Spirit are unified and holistic traits.

CONCLUSION

Spiritual gifts will help the believer to be effective in service while the fruit of the Spirit ensure that the work of the believer is rooted in godly character.

FURTHER READING

Sun: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.
Mon: Romans 12:6-8.
Tue: Colossians 3:17.
Wed: 1 Timothy 1:6.
Thurs: Galatians 5:22-23.
Fri: Romans 14:17
Sat: Ephesians 5:9

Sunday School Lesson 25

Spiritual Gifts: Identification And Usage

MEMORY VERSE: “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” – 1 Peter 4:10

BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 12:6-8 KJV

INTRODUCTION: It is definitely commendable for God’s children to desire to know the spiritual gifts given to them by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of service in the Church and glorify God in the world (2 Timothy 1:6). The existence of a gift is a call to exercise it. Therefore, Apostle Paul advised Timothy, “Neglect not the gift that is in you,” (1Timothy 4:14).

LESSON OUTLINES

1. Identifying Your Spiritual Giftedness
2. Effective Use Of Spiritual Gifts

1. IDENTIFYING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTEDNESS

Identifying your spiritual giftedness can be accomplished in various ways.
Effective fervent prayers is very vital because the One who knows exactly how you are spiritually gifted is the gift-giver Himself-the Holy Spirit. You can ask Him to show you how you are gifted in order to better use your spiritual gifts for His glory (Luke 11:9, 13). Confirmation from others also gives light to your spiritual giftedness. Other people who see you serving the Lord can often identify a spiritual gift in use that you might take for granted or not recognise (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:5-6). In addition, you can carry out a self-test. There are questions you can ask yourself as pointers to your spiritual gift.

Questions like ‘what spiritual activity do l enjoy doing?”, “What ministry in my life is God blessing?”, “What is the Holy Spirit telling or prompting me to do? (Romans 12:5-8 ;1Corinthians 7:20,24).

2. EFFECTIVE USE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Every Christian is given at least a gift at conversion (Ephesians 4:7). As you manage well your initial gift and as your ministry expands, you may ask God for other gifts under the direction and promptings of the Holy Spirit
(1 Corinthians 12:31,14:39). Every gifted person has a proper function in the body of Christ (the church). No gift is superior to others but gifts differ in function (1 Corinthians 12:20-25). No one believer has all the gifts (1 Corinthians 12:28-30), so we need one another.

Spiritual gifts are given to edify (build up) other believers (1 Corinthians 14:12; 26: Ephesians 4:12); to promote growth, unity and love (Ephesians 4:16); to assist in the care of one another (1 Corinthians 12:25; 1 Peter 4:10); and to glorify God, especially in the ministry of the Word (1 Peter 4:11).

CONCLUSION: Faithful utilisation of a gift brings increased effectiveness in the ministry, but failure to develop a gift curtails ministry.

QUESTIONS:

1. In what ways can believers identify their spiritual gifts?
2. How can believers put their spiritual giftedness into effective usage?

FURTHER READING:

Monday: 1 Corinthians 12:11 (KJV)
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

Tuesday: 1 Timothy 4:14 (KJV)
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

Wednesday: 2 Timothy 1:6 (KJV)
6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

Thursday: Ephesians 4:7 (KJV)
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Friday: 2 Timothy 4:5 (KJV)
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Saturday: Romans 12:7 (KJV)
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

Sunday: Colossians 4:17 (KJV)
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.