BACKGROUND
It's Bible Study TOOL TIME: Chapter Study
Here is an inductive study I lead when I do Spiritual Gifts workshops. Usually, I have to give the context of 1 Corinthians to my students, but you already know the context. Regardless, let's review it anyway!
1 Corinthians 12 Context
Context is important for
understanding why the authors of the epistles wrote what they did. Let's review the verses that give context to 1 Corinthians 12.
1 Corinthians 1:10-12
Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cafes,” and “I of Christ.”
1 Corinthians 3:1-4
Now that you have reviewed the context,
read through 1 Corinthians 12 three times:
First time: Read meditatively and prayerfully. Ask God to
speak to you.
Second time:
Observe and mark keywords/phrases:
God, Jesus (Lord), Holy Spirit, varieties, gifts, same, all, each one, one, another, body, members, many, division, all are not, list of gifts in the text (Example: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, etc.)
Third time: Ask these inductive questions of the chapter and record your answers:
What are the gifts? How are they
described?
Who receives the gifts?
Why are gifts given?
When did the gifts start?
When do they cease? (Hint: the answer
is in 1 Corinthians 13)
How are they given?
What illustration is used? What does
it say about it?
Is there an order to the gifts?
Are there any instructions or
cautions? (Look for command verbs)
What gifts are listed?
Now,
skim 1 Corinthians 13. What is the
topic? Why does it follow Chapter 12?
An important part of an inductive study is using cross-references to help in interpretation. You might want to go to the other passages about spiritual gifts and ask these kinds of questions in those passages. They are Romans 12:1-8, Ephesians 4:1-16, and 1 Peter 4:7-11.
See how Paul's other epistles align together in explaining the spiritual gifts and the final goal!
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| Copyright Carol Weaver |
The alternative is this:
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| Copyright Carol Weaver |
or this:
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| Copyright Carol Weaver |
I believe this is why Paul starts out talking about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and the unity and diversity within the Godhead at the beginning of the chapter. Did you notice that?
REFLECTION
I love 1 Corinthians 12 because it emphasizes that no gift is more important than any other gift. The gifts unseen are vital to the functioning of the Body of Christ like your internal organs are vital to the functioning of your physical body. I pray you will discover your gifts.
APPLICATION
Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren,
I do not want you to be unaware
(ignorant).
1 Corinthians 12:1
I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which . . . lives in you . . .
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame
the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on
of my hands.
2 Timothy 1:5-6 (NIV)
I wholeheartedly believe that learning about and exercising your gifts is important for maturity in Christ!
Here is an online version of the test I give my students:
SPIRITUAL GIFTS SURVEY
SPIRITUAL GIFTS SURVEY
Here is a two-page summary you can give your friends to help them give you honest feedback about what they think your gifts are:
I also have studies for each of the gifts listed in the Spiritual Gifts Survey that are available upon request. Just leave a message in the comments section of this post.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for allowing us to share with You in Your wonderful work by giving us gifts of grace! We love You. Teach us to use these gifts to build up the Body of Christ and glorify YOU! Amen.
1 comment:
I think I am functioning in my gifts and enjoying life!
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