Sunday School Lesson July 17, 2022
Subject: United Through the Spirit
The Point: The Holy Spirit brings us together as one church.
The Passages: 1 Corinthians 12:4-14
Study The Bible: 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
1). The Holy Spirit works though every believer for a single common good.
- Now there are different gifts, but the same Spirit.
- There are different ministries, but the same Lord.
- And there are different activities, but the same God works all of them in each person.
- A manifestation of the Spirit is given to each person for the common good:
Lasting truths from: 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
* The Spirit of God has given to each and every follower of Jesus a gift, activity or ministry. Therefore, there are no spectators in the body of Christ.
* No one gift, activity, or ministry is more important than the other. Together, they are of equal importance in building the body of Christ.
* Spiritual gifts aren’t for individual gain of building personal brand, but for advantage of all the body of Christ.
2). The Holy Spirit works through us in different ways toward that common good.
1 Corinthians 12:8-11
- to one is given a message of wisdom through the Spirit, to another, a message of knowledge by the same Spirit,
- to another, faith by the same Spirit, to another, gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
- to another, the performing of miracles, to another, prophecy, to another, distinguishing between spirits, to another, different kinds of tongues, to another, interpretation of tongues.
- One and the same Spirit is active in all these, distributing to each person as he wills.
Lasting truths from: 1 Corinthians 12:8-11
* Every born-again follower of Jesus has been gifted the Holy Spirit to serve.
* The Spirit of God has intentionally gifted the church with diverse gifts so that nothing is lacking.
* Believers are to use their giftedness to server for the common good of the body of Christ.
3). The Holy Spirit makes us one body.
1 Corinthians 12:12-14
- For just as the body is one and has many parts, and all the part of that body, though many, are one body—so also is Christ.
- For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and we were all given one Spirit to drink.
- Indeed the body is not one part but many.
Lasting truth from: 1 Corinthians 12:12-14
* Diversity within a church is a Spirit developed reality.
* As a part of the body, each believer plays a unique and significant role.
* At the moment of conversion, a person is gifted and made a part of the body of Christ. There is no subsequent experience necessary.
Live It Out
As you reflect on this session, respond to the following questions:
- Since the inception of the church people have believed the more demonstrative gifts o ministries are most important. What are some ways you can debunk this faulty belief and highlight the importance of all gifts and ministries?
- The purpose of a manifestation of the Spirit is not self-serving. What are some ways you can help people develop safeguards within the church or in their individual’s lives that promote using gifts for the common good?
- The Spirit creates unity in the body, not uniformity. How can you help people see the difference and understand that uniformity is actually counterproductive?
Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”