Waiting For God Lesson 5 February 1

Be honest, now … What is one unique talent or ability you have (whether useful or pointless)? How did you find out what your greatest interests were? Everyone has some sort of “skill” – Today we look at spiritual skills or gifts – The Spirit of God may take us into surprising, difficult situations, but he will equip us along the way.

Listen for a strange phenomenon. Acts 2:5-11 (NIV) Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: "Are not all these men who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them

Listen for a strange phenomenon. in his own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs--we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!"

Gifted Communicators Who was staying in Jerusalem? What languages were the Jews from Galilee speaking? How did the God-fearing Jews visiting Jerusalem react when they heard Christians speaking their languages? What was the topic of conversation among the crowds?

Gifted Communicators Why do people today feel unqualified to share the gospel or “declare the wonders of God” with others? So what was different about the people who declared the wonders of God in this passage? They probably didn’t have formal training either.

Gifted Communicators How does God use us to witness to others? What areas of your own unbelief must you deal with in order to become more open to the movement of God in your life?

Listen for contrasts. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (NIV) There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

Variety of Gifts So what things were specified different, what things were the same? Why does Paul use different words to talk about something that is a “gift”? What does use of these different words have to say about the purpose of spiritual gifts? What evidence do you see that Paul is addressing believers not only in Corinth but believers everywhere for all time? DifferentSame

Variety of Gifts What reasons exist that Christians today are ignorant about Spiritual gifts? How would it affect a church, making it different if every believer understood and exercised his/her spiritual gift?

Listen for what happens when good deeds are done with the wrong motive. 1 Corinthians 12:31 – 13:5 (NIV) But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. … 1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move

Listen for what happens when good deeds are done with the wrong motive. mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Ministry in Love What good deeds are mentioned in the passage? What results when I do these things with the wrong motive? What kinds of wrong motives might we have? What kinds of results might occur from these actions with the wrong motives? What are the characteristics of love mentioned?

Application The Lord never promised that the Christian life would be easy. – Think about difficult situations you face this week – It is difficult to help others in need – recall the story of the Good Samaritan – The Holy Spirit has promised to help us in all things.

Application Look for opportunities to point out examples of love to your children – Point out situations where they have the opportunity to ‘show’ love to others – Ask them if they will be the Good Samaritan that Jesus has asked us to be – with the help of the Holy Spirit

Application Remember the warning from 1 Corinthians 13 … ‘without love…we are nothing, and we gain nothing.’ – Consider, this would place love and faith on the same level – Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and let him produce the fruit of love in your life today.

Waiting For God Lesson 5 February 1