Sermon Date: Sept. 20, 2009 Sermon Title: Power and Light Sermon Text: 1 Cor. 12 and Gal. 5 Small Group Text: I Cor. 12 – 13
In the weekend services, we saw that if we were going to experience God’s power in
Introduction
our life we had to be connected to Him AND to each other! We experience God’s power as it flows through our spiritual gifts into spiritual community. In other words, spiritual community is essential in the Christian experience. In 1 Cor. 12 and 13, Paul writes about how the spiritual community (or body life) works. In 12:1-13 he focuses on the need for unity. In 12:14-31 he discusses our need for diversity, and in 13:1-13, he addresses our need for maturity. •
What’s the best “group experience” you remember from your past? Maybe a sports team that pulled together? Possibly a stage production? Perhaps a construction project or a social event?
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What made that experience so special for you? Paul tells us in 1 Cor. 12 and 13 that were created to be linked together in community. For that community to come together we need unity, diversity, and maturity. Let’s take a look.
Discussion
1.
Read 1 Cor. 12:1-13. What is it that should unify us in Christian community?
2. What do you imagine was happening in church at Corinth church that Paul was addressing in these verses? 3. What does 1 Cor. 12:7 mean when it refers to the “manifestation of the Spirit” and the “common good?” 4. Is the list of gifts in verses 8-10 an exhaustive, or all-inclusive list of spiritual gifts? Why do you think that? 5. Now let’s read 1 Cor. 12:14-30 together, watching for how diversity is important in spiritual community (or body-life). 6. How does Paul counter the tendency toward spiritual pride in verses 21-26? 7. How can you illustrate the truth of verse 26 from your physical body? 8. Where might you see the truth from verse 26 applied in our church or small group? 9. Have someone read 1 Cor. 12:31 aloud. This introduces us to Paul’s third ingredient for spiritual community – maturity.
Application
1.
Read 1 Cor. 13 each day this coming week.
2. Write 1 Cor. 13:4-7 on a card but replace the words “love” and “it” with your first name. Read this revised interpretation to your spouse or a close friend and see if it fits you? 3. Which area in verses 4-7 does God need to work on the most in your character? Ask Him for help and give Him permission to do that work in you. 4. Although we don’t understand fully the dynamics of how our character changes, the scriptures teach that it is a cooperative effort between God’s transforming power and our yielded heart. What can you do this week to let God know that your heart is open to His transforming power?