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A Bible Study Guide on 1 Cor. 12:1-11
Part One: Inert, Silent Idolatry vs. Dynamic Spirit of God {v.1-3} 📖
12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed.
A. Paul here takes up a new topic. What is it? ___________________
B. What kind term describes these struggling Christians? __________
C. The ESV translates “uninformed.” What are some words our other English versions use to describe what the Apostle does NOT want for Corinth? ________________________________________________
D. What’s the antonym/opposite of “uninformed?” ________________
2 You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led.
E. Not all those who go astray wander off on their own. Back while they were still pagan, how did the Corinthians arrive at serving “mute idols?” _____________________________________________
F. What limitation does “mute” imply? __________________________
(See Isaiah 44:12-20; also 48:3-5, Jeremiah 10:5, Revelation 9:20)
3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
G. Name one thing the Holy Spirit does in stark contrast to these “mute idols?” ___________________________ (see 2 Peter 1:20-21)
H. Will God’s Spirit ever lead one to teach falsely about Jesus? (Y/N)
I. Can anyone speak the truth about Jesus without God’s help? (Y/N)
Part Two: Unity, Diversity and Harmony in the Spirit’s Work {v.4-6} 📖
4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.
J. As a general rule, one ought to take special note of words or phrases repeated in any given Scripture passage. What two words are repeated here in v.4-6 by our English translation?
_______________________ AND _______________________
K. Describe the diversity evident in the Holy Spirit’s activity:
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
L. What alone unifies this spiritual activity?
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Part Three: Wow. Umm, thanks?!? What’s this for, God?!? {v.7} 📖
7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
M. “Manifestation” is an uncommon word in our daily speech. How else would we term this activity of God’s Spirit among us? (Hint: check other English translations) ______________________________
N. Does any Christian lack “the manifestation of the Spirit”? (Y/N)
O. For what PURPOSE does a Christian receive “the manifestation of the Spirit”? ________________________________________________
Part Four: The ‘catalogue of gifts’ that same Spirit gives {v.8-10} 📖
8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.
P. As we consider this ‘catalogue of gifts,’ it’s important to do so in light of what the Apostle has taught just above. We are NOT invited to place our order, nor guaranteed 2-day shipping. Remember the following:
1. This list not comprehensive, but exemplary (descriptive? informative? v.1)
2. These all possess a unity with regard to their Giver, the Spirit.
3. Each gift serves the common good. With each, ask “Why might a neighbor need this? How does this serve him/her?”
Q. What alone determines & governs the giving of these gifts? (v.11)
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Isaiah 50:4 Blues 