Summary: Paul reminds the Church that the gifts that God has given us are to be used not with a consumeristic approach, but in a way that honors God, advances His mission, serves His Church, and benefits others around us.
1. Read 1 Corinthians 12:1. What are some of the common misconceptions about gifts? Where are the areas of confusion for people? (don't have a gift, don't need to use it in the church, given to me to benefit mainly me, don't use the gift, have never taken the time to identify the gift that God has given you so that you can use it for others).
2. Read Romans 12:6a and 1 Peter 4:10. 2 requests that Paul makes are that Christians USE THEIR GIFTS and that they use them TO SERVE OTHERS. What are your gifts? What do you think God has given you? Your talents, your passions, your abilities, your strengths.
3. Read 1 Corinthians 12:4. How have you used these gifts to benefit yourself? How have you used these gifts to benefit others and the common good? How have you used these gifts to worship and honor God?
c. What are some gifts that God has given you that you aren't using, or that you are just using to benefit yourself? How do these untapped gifts fit into the church body, and how can you use these untapped gifts to honor God?
3. READ Ephesians 2:10.
a. Who created you? Who designed you? Who gave you the gifts and talents that you have? If an all-knowing God did this in your life, do you think he made a mistake with the gift that He gave you? Do you think it could ever be insignificant or unimportant?
b. When you are created in Christ Jesus (a.k.a. receive the gift of salvation and become a follower of Jesus), what is your purpose in that?
c. If God laid out your gifts ahead of time and has a plan for you and a path for you to walk on, what does that communicate about your significance and importance in the Body? Are you living your life with purpose and fulfillment, or do you walk around like this whole life thing is one big coincidence or accident?
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