From the Inside Out
A Grace Filled Life
Grace to walk in the Spirit (3|3)
Pages 178-186
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (NIV) Concerning Spiritual Gifts Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore, I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
1 Corinthians 14:22-25 (NIV) Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is not for unbelievers but for believers. So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and inquirers or unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all, as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!
According to 1 Corinthians 12:1–11, how should spiritual gifts function within the church? Why is it vital that all expressions of the Spirit aim to strengthen and build up the body of Christ? How might you personally use the gifts God has given you to build up your church community?
According to 1 Corinthians 14:22–25, how can spiritual gifts like tongues and prophecy help reveal God’s reality to unbelievers?
Have you ever received or witnessed a prophetic word that genuinely strengthened, encouraged, or comforted someone? What made it feel authentic and aligned with God’s heart?
How does prophecy, when tested and affirmed, help guide and strengthen believers in fulfilling God’s purposes?
Have you ever received a word, promise, or Scripture that guided your faith journey like a compass?