"Gifts of the Spirit"
Focus (5):
Recite at least three verses from the past few sessions we have. Meditate on the meaning of each verse and what each verse was trying to say. Add this new verse to your list of verses:
Proverbs 8:17
[17]I love them that love me and those who seek me early shall find me.
Praise (5):
What are you praising the Lord for this day? What has He done in the past and what is He doing to you now that you'd want to praise Him? Lift your hearts to the Lord above in praises and give glory to His name.
Deuteronomy 10:21
[21]He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen.
Preparing to Dive (10):
Are you ready to dive into God's ocean of existence? You might leave your equipment behind. Know that spiritual things are spiritually discerned. Ask for the presence of the Holy Ghost to guide you in today's study. Remember not to rely on your own understanding but to let God speak to your heart.
Proverbs 3:5-7
[5]Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
[6]In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.
[7]Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
Bible Reading (10):
Read the following verses below. Do not gobble and take in all the words of God in a rush. Read them slowly, let the Spirit speak as you read through them. Savor a moment basking in God's presence:
I Corinthians 12:7-11
[7]But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
[8]for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit,
[9]to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit,
[10]to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.
[11]But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Romans 12:4-8
[4]For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
[5]so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
[6]Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
[7]or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
[8]he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.
Ephesians 4:11-12
[11]And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers,
[12]for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
I Peter 4:10
[10]As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
I Corinthians 10:31
[31]Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Meditation (20):
Ponder upon the words of God this worship hour. What does the verses say about gifts that has been bestowed upon us? What does these verses say about different functions in a group? Why does Jesus encourage His people to come together and work for His glory and to spread the undefiled truth?
Let's dive deeper. You're gonna need an oxygen tank which is the Spirit.
In the previous week, we learned God has a plan for each and one of us. Do you think there is someone in this world who has no gift? How does God equip His people for the work of furthering His kingdom?
What is God trying to tell you?
Write down your insights. If God brings to mind verses, write them down too.
Heart Searching (15):
Be honest and open your heart to the Spirit. Let Him search you. Let Him reveal to you the things which are not of God. Let the Spirit cleanse you.
Pause for a moment and talk with our Heavenly Father. What do you think is the gift He has given you? Is it your voice? Your being a musician? Natural way of talking and approaching others? Able to write well? Friendly smile? Gorgeous face?
Whatever it is, know that all good things come from God. Now reread the last verse for the bible reading today. Go back. Now please. Don't skip. 😊😇
What does this verse say about giving glory to the Lord? Since He has given us these gifts, are we using it for His glory? Or our own glory? Are we glorifying Him by using our gifts for Him or for ourselves? Are we being idle? What are we doing for God? Are we pleasing Him? Or are we pleasing the enemy? Are we doing our part as God's ambassadors? As Christians?
This might be a cut but know that God heals. Know that the bible is a sword. Let it cut that we may know the defects of our character.
Heart to Heart (10):
Spend the next few minutes talking with the Lord. Some light might be shed your way from the throne of heaven. Tell Him how you feel right now. Share your frustrations, sadness, shame if any, or share to Him your joy of knowing more about yourself, Him, and His kingdom.
You can confess your sins to Him. Confess your faults as the Spirit reveals to you.
Pray and talk to our Savior. Know that He hears every voice of His people.
Overtime Reading (10):
This is an additional reading material related to our lesson today. When Jesus was on Earth, He used many parables to describe what life would be when following Him and what we should do to start following Him. This is one of those parables.
Matthew 25:13-30
The Parable of the Talents
[14]“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.
[15]And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey.
[16]Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents.
[17]And likewise he who had received two gained two more also.
[18]But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money.
[19]After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
[20]“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’
[21]His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
[22]He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’
[23]His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’
[24]“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed.
[25]And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’
[26]“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
[27]So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest.
[28]Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.
[29]‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away.
[30]And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’
Note:
The parable of talents have a deeper meaning and a deeper sense to it. Ask the Lord to tell you what this parable really means and what each person symbolize. Ask Him to shed light to you and claim that He promised to give wisdom to those who ask. Don't stop praying until He tells you what is the deeper meaning of the parable. Reread it if you have to. Write down your insights in your journal.
Rest (5):
It's the end of the worship hour today. How did you find the exercise? Did God show you something new about yourself? Did God reveal something about what you should do?
What have you learned about God today? How can you rest in Him and His will?
That's it for today's worship. See you tomorrow. I hope and I am praying for each and every one of you. God bless.