3.22.20 - What Are Our Spiritual Gifts? (Kenny Camacho)

SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 12-13

What are spiritual gifts? Some claim that they are supernatural empowerment of the Holy Spirit separate from our inborn talents and skills. Another camp argues that the Spirit works through our inborn talents and skills to the glory of God. Some believers argue that the listings of the spiritual gifts in the New Testament are the only spiritual gifts, while others believe that the listings are more representative of other things which might not be named. An examination of both Old and New Testament Scriptures reveals a Spirit of God who actively works above and beyond our understandings and limitations to accomplish the Father's purposes of love, unity and reconciliation towards His creation. 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

  1. In many churches today, “discipleship” means trying to make sure every believer has the same beliefs about doctrine, culture, politics, social issues, etc. Yet in Romans and his letter to the Corinthians, the apostle Paul argues that each individual believer is unique, and that the Spirit of God is responsible somehow for this (12:4-6)! Discuss whether unity in the body of Christ requires that we all look, act, or believe the same. Where should a line be drawn, if any, regarding agreeing or having the same beliefs in such things as doctrine, culture, politics, social issues?

  2. 1 Corinthians 13 is often read at weddings and other times where love, especially romantic love, is being described. But in context, this chapter on love directly follows Paul's discussion regarding spiritual gifts, and the opening verses (1-3) correspond directly to the gifts Paul lists in the previous chapter. Consider the following statement: The use of a spiritual gift without love is ultimately meaningless. Do you agree or disagree? Is this chapter teaching that a believer should not exercise their spiritual gift if it cannot be done in love?

  3. The story of Samson (Judges 13-16) reminds us that God is at work in the messiness of our lives and that even in the midst of our sins and shortcomings, he still loves us and desires to perform his work of reconciliation through us. Consider a time when you sensed God wanting you to do something, yet you felt inadequate to accomplish the task. How did the Spirit overcome your reluctance? What steps, if any, did you take to push forward in spite of what you were feeling or even believing about yourself?

Kenny Camacho