Bible Studies

INTRODUCTION

God has given every believer a spiritual gift to enable us to contribute in some way to His work. Spiritual gifts are not our natural abilities or acquired skills, although these can be used for God. For example, it is helpful if the people who are looking after the money can count, and Christian tradesmen can use their skills to maintain property, but these must not be confused with spiritual gift. At this point, take time to read the relevant Scriptures: Romans 12.3-8; 1 Corinthians 12, 13 & 14; Ephesians 4.7-16; 1 Peter 4.10-11. The last of these will form the basis of this study.

Everyone has received a gift.

This is stressed in each of the above passages. Note the repetition of "every man" (each one - Rom 12.3; 1 Cor 12.7,11; Ephesians 4.7. You can never claim to be ungifted.

There are numerous different gifts.

Note the word "manifold" (various - 1 Pet 4.10). Gifts are as numerous and varied as the members of the human body (Rom 12.4-6; 1 Corinthians 12.12). It is so important to identify your own spiritual gift. If unsure, read through the lists again. The list in Ephesians speaks of what we might call public gifts and only a minority of believers fit in there. The lists in 1 Corinthians include a number of gifts that were of a temporary nature, as the context makes clear. One of these lists incorporates the term "helps". Many believers fall into that category. The list in Romans shows that some are fitted to act as representatives of the local church in performing deeds of kindness. (Not everyone is comfortable with visiting the sick or the bereaved, for example, but God has fitted some for such tasks.)

Gift must be used.

Observe the words, "minister the same". At a physical level, if your muscles are not used, they will deteriorate. Similarly, if your gift is unused, there will be spiritual wastage. "Neglect not the gift that is in thee" (1 Tim 4.14).

Be careful to exercise YOUR OWN gift.

"Minister the same", that is, the gift which you have received. Make no attempt to do anything for which you have not been gifted. If you are disappointed with your gift, just remember that it was God who in His wisdom gave you the gift that you have (Rom 12.3; 1 Cor 12.11; Eph 4.7). Use the gift He has given you to maximum advantage.

The use of your gift is for the benefit of your fellow believers.

"Minister one to another", that is, among yourselves. The exercise of gift is for the mutual benefit of the whole local church. This is a very important consideration in the exercise of any gift (1 Cor 14.4). To opt out of service is to deprive other Christians.

You are responsible to God for the use of your gift.

The words "good stewards" indicate that you are accountable, for a steward was a man with the responsibility to administer his master's affairs. To borrow the words of a parable, one day you will be told, "Give an account of thy stewardship" (Lk 16.2).

Gift must be exercised with appropriate diligence

"As of the ability which God giveth". See also Romans 12.6-8. Avoid a careless approach to the service of God.

The exercise of gift is for the glory of God,

"that God in all things may be glorified". To be reluctant to use your gift not only deprives your fellow-Christians, but robs God of His glory.

The only place where the whole range of the permanent spiritual gifts can function is in a scripturally gathered New Testament church. Denominationalism stifles spiritual gift. Very often these systems concentrate most of the responsibilities in one person, rather than allowing everyone to function in the way God intended.

PASSAGES TO STUDY AND QUESTIONS TO ANSWER

1. Do not confuse being gifted with being spiritual. To exercise gift without love is futile (1 Cor 13.1-3). Paul shows that the Corinthians were gifted (1 Cor 1.7). How does he describe them in ch.3.1? The answer shows that you could be gifted without being spiritual.
2. Read 1 Corinthians 12.14-27. Note vv.15-19. Here is an unhappy member: he is disgruntled because he does not have the gift that someone else has, and so he does nothing at all! He is like a body part refusing to bear its responsibility, and the whole body is damaged. Now note vv.20-27. This time, the member has the notion that his function is so much superior to that of others. He fails to realise that every member plays a vital part. Avoid both situations.
3. Reference has been made to 1 Timothy 4.14. Elsewhere, Paul tells Timothy to "stir up the gift of God" which was in him. Use a concordance to find the reference.
4. Romans 12. The section dealing with spiritual gift has been highlighted in the lesson. It is in the heart of the part of Romans that deals with the Christian's responsibilities. Note that in vv.1-2 we have a responsibility to God. What is that responsibility? We will never fulfil the other responsibilities of the chapter if we do not get that one in place!
5. In Ephesians 4.8, there is a quotation from a Psalm. Using your Bible margin or a concordance, find the Old Testament reference.
6. When introducing the theme of spiritual gift in 1 Corinthians 12, Paul makes clear that he does not want us to be ignorant of these things. Using the concordance find another five occasions when he uses this phrase or one very similar: "I would not have you ignorant". (Suggestion: look up the word "ignorant".)
7. What is the one word that answers all the questions of 1 Corinthians 12.29-30.
8. Which verse in 1 Corinthians 13 shows that the gift of tongues was a temporary gift? It, with other spectacular gifts, was given to demonstrate that the new message of the gospel was genuinely from God (Mk 16.15-20).
9. Read the parable of the pounds (Lk 19.11-27). Each servant was told to trade with his pound, perhaps an illustration of the gift that God has given us enabling us to serve Him. What commendation did the first servant received? Where did the third servant hide his pound? Which situation illustrates your life?
10. Stewardship: 1 Peter 4.10. According to 1 Corinthians 4.1-2, what is the main requirement of a steward?