What about Gifts of the Spirit?

This study is prepared for personal use at home.  Study with a group is highly recommended.  You are invited to form your own group for home study.  Once a month is the minimum frequency for a study with continuity.  Twice a month is very good.

Resources:

Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts:  A personal inventory method by Kenneth Cain Kinghorn,

or

Rediscovering Our Spiritual Gifts by Charles Bryant.

also highly recommended, The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence,

The Holy Spirit

A Bible with both Old and New Testaments

Yourself

A Group

Objectives

1. Search out answers to questions and concerns regarding Spiritual Gifts

2, Discuss the basis, kinds and purpose/s of Spiritual Gifts.

3. Discover and affirm each participant’s Spiritual Gifts

4. Discover the Gifts of the group as a whole and purposes/s

5. Encourage and support each person in the use of Spiritual Gifts.

Basic concepts regarding the Spirit are found in the following Scriptures. Look up, read, make notes.

What and Why?

John 1 : 12, 13

John 3 : 5 – 8, 16

John 4 : 24

Purpose and Benefit?

John 16 : 13

Galatians 5 : 13, 26

How?

Romans 12 : 1 – 8

How and Benefit?

John 20 : 21, 23

Additional Benefits

Romans 5 : 5, 16

Romans 11 : 29

Romans 15 : 13

Ephesians 3 : 16

II Timothy 1 : 7

Kinds of gifts and examples:

The new testament uses two Greek words for gifts

” Doma” = ordinary gifts

Charisma (sg)/ Charismata = spiritual gifts

Kinghorn –The word Charisma is used three ways in the Bible

Free gift

Blessing

Spiritual Gift (pneumatixon charisma)

Look up and make notes on the following scripture references.

Exodus 28 : 3 and 31 : 3, 6

Numbers 8 : 19

Ephesians 4 : 7, 11

Romans 1 : 11, 12

6 : 22, 23

12 : 6 – 8

I Corinthians 12 : 4, 7, 27, 31

16 : 3, 14

II Corinthians 1 : 11

Ephesians 3 : 16

How do Gifts of the Spirit differ from human talents?

How do Gifts of the Spirit differ from Fruits of the Spirit?

Compare the following:

Romans 12 : 6-8

Galatians 5 : 22, 23

What is the purpose of the Gifts of the Spirit?

I Peter 4 : 10

In what way are the Gifts of the Spirit properly exercised or used?

I Corinthians 16 : 14

Participate in a group exercise in a class to describe the Spiritual Gifts of each classmate or ask a close friend to describe your Spiritual Gifts.  List them here.

Why should I care what Gifts I/we have?

Romans 5 : 5

I Corinthians 1 : 7 (4 – 9)

I Corinthians 2 : 12

I Corinthians 3 : 16, 17 (“you” is plural in Greek)

I Corinthians 6 : 19, 20

I Corinthians 14 : 1

Ephesians 4 : 7, 8, 11-16

Ephesians 5 : 18, 19

I Timothy 4 : 13 Charisma

II Timothy 1 : 7

II Timothy 1 : 16 Charisma

Take a personal survey and record results. (Surveys are found in either of the resource books and in many other books. If you are in a group you will work as a class on individual Gifts as others see them in you and as you see Gifts in them. This space is provided for a comprehensive list of Gifts among the group members or Gifts identified in yourself.)

So, now what?

I Corinthians 14 : 12 and 16 : 4

II Peter 1 : 3, 4 (3-11)

What shall I/we do?                                             Who will do it ?                                               When?

1.

2.

3.

(Add additional numbers as needed)

What obstacles, fears, hazards do I/we face?

How shall I/we overcome or go under or around them?

As an individual?

As the group?

The gifts of the Spirit are provided to build up one another.
The list in I Corinthians 12 include:
1) Word of Wisdom 2) Word of Knowledge 3) Faith 4) Gifts of Healing 5) Working of Miracles 6) Prophecy 7) Discerning of Spirits 8) Divers (or different) kinds of Tongues 9) Interpretation of (different) Tongues

After finishing your own study you may read more:
http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/what-are-gifts-of-the-spirit-a-bible-study/#ixzz3RfTF5ray
http://christianity.about.com/od/holyspirittopicalstudy/a/spiritualgifts.htm
https://bible.org/article/gifts-spirit (In my opinion, best article available when searched on 2/12/2015)
Paul wrote in Galatians 5:22,23 about identification marks of the Holy Spirit in people’s lives, or as he says, “the fruits of the Spirit”. They are a “behavioral characteristics check list” for you to test yourself regarding the Spirit’s influence in the New You, for as a member of the body of Christ, you are a new creation. They follow with English spelling and explanations.
Agape–Love which extends sincere appreciation and respect to others.
Chara–State of joy, gladness, and great happiness.
Erene–Peace, tranquility, freedom from worry, anxiety and inner turmoil.
Macrothumia–Long-suffering, patience, even temper; state of calm, without irritation or complaint in face of provocation or misfortune.
Chrestotes–Kindness, activity which is useful, helpful, kind, benevolent.
Agathosune—Goodness and general positive moral qualities with acts of generous giving.
Pistis–Faith in God, faithfulness, complete believability, trustworthiness, dependability, keeping pledges and promises.
Praotes–Gentleness in attitude and behavior, mildness, without harshness.
Egkrateia–Complete self-control over ones desires and actions.
The Spirit of God in us teaches us inwardly as we study, pray, and meditate, and gives guidance through outer spiritual mentors given us by God and provides Gifts for building up ourselves and others so that we may become more like Jesus.