1. Used in God’s Service January 10

2. Remember the time … When could you hardly wait to use a gift someone gave you? Last week we studied Spiritual Gifts we receive from the Lord – God expects us to use the gifts He has given us. – Today we consider the importance of those Gifts

3. Listen for Paul’s analogy to the body. 1 Corinthians 12:12-16 (NIV) The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 13 For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body--whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free--and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. 14 Now the body is not made up of one part but of many.

4. Listen for Paul’s analogy to the body. 15 If the foot should say, "Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, "Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body," it would not for that reason cease to be part of the body.

5. Your Spiritual Gift is Essential According to this passage, in what way are Christians (the body of believers) like a human body? Why do you think some of the gifts/ministries are (incorrectly) held in higher regard? What lessons are there in seeing the church as a human body? The Human BodyThe Body of Believers

6. Your Spiritual Gift is Essential In what ways are believers bound together as one? Why is every member of the church important to the church’s ability to function effectively? What are the consequences of being discontented with your place in the church?

7. Your Spiritual Gift is Essential Why should members not disparage the gift(s) they have been given? Evidence of diversity is easy to see … how is unity manifested?

8. Listen for talking body parts. 1 Corinthians 12:21-22 (NIV) The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the feet, "I don't need you!" 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,

9. No Spiritual Gift Unimportant Why should members of the body of Christ not say to each other, "I don’t need you"? Why are all parts of the body necessary? How can you honor the contributions of others in your church? What does Paul say about how God intends for members of the Body of the Christ, the church to be combined, interdependent?

10. Listen for two categories of gifts. 1 Peter 4:9-11 (NIV) Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks,

11. Listen for two categories of gifts. he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

12. Glorify God with Your Spiritual Gifts Peter mentions hospitality … why do you suppose was hospitality a critical need among believers in the early church? How were Peter’s readers to use their gifts? How were these believers to speak and serve?

13. Glorify God with Your Spiritual Gifts So we see Peter mentions the categories of hospitality and speaking. What are some specific ministries that could be included in these categories even today? What are the consequences of overestimating your place in the church? Why must love be the driving force behind our spiritual gifts? HospitalitySpeaking

14. Application Commit – Maybe this is the first time for you to use or apply your spiritual gift – Begin each day this week by thanking God for the gift He has given – Commit to God your intention to use the gift in His strength

15. Application Remember – Maybe you’ve been using your spiritual gift(s) for some time – Take some time this week to write down your reflections of how God has been at work through your spiritual gift(s). – Thank God for the opportunity to serve Him.

16. Application Encourage – Help one of your children or grandchildren see the importance of the gift you have recognized in them – Affirm that giftedness – Challenge them to develop the gift as they grow in Christ.

17. Used in God’s Service January 10