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Study Sheet for I Corinthians 12:1-13 (click here for Study Notes)
COLLEEN MOORE TINKER

Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. You know that when you ere pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I tell you 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. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit the message of wisdom, to another the 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 if 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 gives them to each one, just as he determines.

The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body-whether Jews of Greeks, slave or free-and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. (NIV)

Day 1

In Paul's time miraculous acts and physical healings marked the prevailing pagan culture. Even Jewish rabbis often healed the sick. The Corinthians had just left the worship of demons and were learning how to live as Spirit-filled Christ-followers.

1. Why do you think Paul felt he had to address the subjects of spiritual gifts with the Corinthians? (Eph. 2:2; I Cor. 14:1; Matt. 24:24)

2. Why do you think it was necessary for Paul to state 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"? (I John 4:2,3)

3. Why can no one say from the heart, "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit? (John 15:26,27)

Day 2

Paul stressed that there are different kinds of gifts, service, and working, but the same Spirit, Lord, and God. (v. 4-6)

1. The Greek word translated "service" is used to denote service of all types to the Christian community. The Greek word translated "working" denotes power in action. What is significant about Paul linking "gifts" with Spirit, "service" with Lord, and "working" with God?

2. What does Paul emphasize about spiritual gifts by describing them as gifts, service, and working, or power?

3. Why does God give the gifts of the spirit to Christ-followers? (Eph. 4:12-15; I Cor. 14:12; Romans 12:4-8; Hebrews 2;4)

Day 3

In verses 8-10 Paul names some of the spiritual gifts God gives.

1. Why do you think God gives different but related gifts to different people, for example, wisdom to one and knowledge to another?

2. Jesus talked about having faith, a spiritual gift, the size of a mustard seed. He also talked about the kingdom of heaven starting as a mustard seed. How are faith and the kingdom of heaven related? (see Matt. 17:19-21; 13:31; 13:24; 21:21)

3. In what ways is the gift of distinguishing between spirits needed in the church today? (I John 4;1; 1 Thes. 5:21; 2 Peter 1:21; 21; Matt. 7:15; 24:11; I Tim. 4:1)

4. Why is the gift of interpretation of tongues given along with the gift of tongues? (I Cor. 14:6-12)

Day 4

These gifts of the Spirit are different from the fruits of the spirit listed in Gal. 5:22-23.

1. What is the difference between the gifts of the Spirit and the fruits of the Spirit? (see Gal. 5:22-23; Matthew 7:16-20; Eph. 5:9)

2. Why is it necessary to have the fruits along with the gifts? (Matt. 7:21-23; I Cor. 13:1-3; 2 Thes. 2:9-11; Rev. 13:13-14)

3. How is it possible to have spiritual gifts without the fruits of the Spirit? (Rev. 16:14; 19:20)

Day 5

All the fruits of the Spirit are for all Christ-followers. The gifts of the Spirit are also for all Christ-followers, but not all get the same gifts.

1. What determines who gets what gift(s)? (verse 11; Hebrews 2:4)

2. What determines how or if we get the gifts of the Spirit? (v.13; John 7:37-39; Acts 2:38; 10:44-47; Gal. 3:5, 14; Eph. 1:13)

3. What is one of the most notable effects of the presence of the Holy Spirit in the church? (v. 12-13; John 17:23; Eph. 1:23; Romans 12:5; Romans 5:5; Eph. 4:3; Col 3: 12-14)

Day 6

1. In what ways have your ideas about spiritual gifts been different from what the Bible teaches?

2. What spiritual gift(s) do you think God has given you?

3. Are there fruits of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23) which you lack that God wants to develop in you? What?

4. What fear have you had regarding the Holy Spirit?

Day 7

Humans cannot control the Holy Spirit, but we can quench its fire.

1. In what areas of your life do you have difficulty experiencing the fruits of the Spirit?

2. What fear or habit or issue of control do you have that inhibits your intimacy with the Holy Spirit?

3. How would trusting Jesus' love and the presence of the Holy Spirit in you change your life?

4. What fear or belief or habit do you need to release and surrender to Jesus, laying it before him and asking him to fill its place in you with the peace and healing and power of His Spirit?