Spiritual gifts are not discovered just to satisfy our curiosity but rather to indicate what the Lord would have us do and to show where we fit into the church body. This, of course, brings great responsibility as we seek to fulfill that for which God has especially equipped us.1 Compare Romans 12:4, 1 Corinthians 12:12, and Ephesians … Continue reading –>
Once upon a time, in the land of Gifted, lived some very miserable people. They trudged through the streets of Gifted every day carrying huge burdens on their backs. A visitor to Gifted once asked why the people of Gifted carried these heavy burdens with them day after day. The answer was surprising. The visitor … Continue reading –>
Gifts of the spiritual kind “Spiritual gifts,” Donna said. “Why do I always get nervous when we talk about spiritual gifts?”1 Dean cleared his throat. “Well, it’s true,” Donna said. “Every time we start talking about spiritual gifts it ends up as a long meeting with even longer forms to fill out, and then we’re … Continue reading –>
When we think of spiritual gifts and witnessing and evangelism, we tend mostly to focus on the gifts of evangelism, preaching, and teaching. Though not all gifts are overtly evangelistic, if ministered within the church body they will have varying degrees of impact upon the church’s evangelistic mission.1 Read Acts 6:1–4 again. People were given similar responsibilities to … Continue reading –>
Key Thought : The Holy Spirit has given us spiritual gifts to use in witnessing and ministry. He calls us to share these gifts. [Teaching plan for “Spiritual Gifts for Evangelism & Witnessing” April 16, 2012] 1. Have a volunteer read Ephesians 4:11-14. A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the … Continue reading –>
Discovering our gifts is not difficult. You will be able to recognize quickly the gifted ministry areas of your pastor and other key leaders in your church. All you have to do is observe what they are doing and notice how people respond to their ministry. However, it is another matter when it comes to … Continue reading –>
To a certain extent a person’s spiritual gifts define his or her place in the local church. In other words, to discover spiritual gifts is to discover where the Lord wants you to function in the body. Have you ever been asked to be involved in an area for which you just had no passion … Continue reading –>
If you asked the members of your church, many of them would have to think long and hard before they could conclude that they had any spiritual gift that the Bible lists, even though many of these people have probably already been exercising a spiritual gift. They have just not consciously recognized it as such. … Continue reading –>
Read for This Week’s Study: 1 Pet. 4:10; John 16:8, 13; 1 Cor. 12:28–31; Acts 2:40–47; 13:4-5. Memory Text: “And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12, NKJV). Key Thought: … Continue reading –>
“The heart must receive the divine current, and let it flow out in rich streams of mercy and grace to other hearts. All who would win souls to Christ must be winsome.”1 “Winsome,” that’s an old fashioned word, isn’t it?2 It’s certainly not one we use very often. Here are some synonyms for the word, … Continue reading –>
Choosing a Ministry in Which to Become Involved In Last week you were encouraged to consider all of the witnessing and evangelistic areas of church life in which you like being involved or in which you would become involved if asked. The challenge this week is for you to decide upon an evangelistic activity and … Continue reading –>
Afet Afet knew she had found great truth at the small group meeting that she and her mother and sister had been attending. Within a year all three were baptized. Afet’s heart burned to share her faith with others, but it wouldn’t be easy. Most people in her country consider Christians infidels. Afet prayed for … Continue reading –>
