On 5-10-15, 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as Gifts of the Spirit

Gifts of the Spirit

1 Corinthians 12:1-11

International Sunday School Lesson 

May 10, 2015

 

Commentary

By

Jed Greenough

 

 

If you've been a frequent visitor here over the last five years you would know the importance I stress on our having a servant heart for each other.

We see it in Matthew 24 in the parable that speaks of the servant that was left in charge of his fellow servants. We see it in the scriptures throughout the Bible that speak to not harvesting the edges of the fields, taking care of the foreigners among us, watching over widows and orphans.

Of course when Jesus says after loving The Lord your God with all your heart that we are to love one another as we love ourselves He is demonstrating the consistency of God's word.

This consistency continues as has this theme. We can also tie with the scriptures we've studied for many weeks now today's scripture. The gifts of the Spirit we read about today are "given for the common good", a continuing idea of love.

Do you stop and marvel at that? If not you really should.

This is not an all inclusive gift list as we see other gifts listed elsewhere such as encouragement, teaching, giving and that still would not be all the gifts. God is not limitless and you might not see yours listed and have questions. Let me assuage any fears that you might have because as a Christian you have received the promised Holy Spirit and that same Spirit gifts you.

Do you wonder what your gift or gifts are? If you can't say what they are you may have to ask those who know you. The bottom line is they aren't really yours per say but all of ours.

I think in this day where we can speak for free around the world it's time we start expanding our horizons and the scope of our impact.

There are a lot of preachers who have been in place for too long. There are a lot of churches who have grown too big and need to seed other ones. And there are most Christians who have not stepped out of their little circle.

Next week we will delve into many different ways all over the world the ideas about a common body. How will you utilize your spiritual gifts for the common good?

For Discussion:

1. Discuss those who teach that these gifts were given to the early church and are not for us today.
2. Discuss those who desire gifts that have not been given.
3. Discuss gifts that are not utilized.
4. Discuss the possibility of having gifts such as healing that you are unaware of having not utilized them.
5. Discuss what the individuals gifts are in your group.
6. Discuss the idea that these gifts are to the common good.

 

Upcoming Lessons

5-17-15     The Spirit Creates One Body or One Body; Many Members     1 Corinthians 12:12-31

 

 

 

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved