Spiritual Work

Read It: 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NRSV)

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 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 discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. 

Learn It:

This is such a popular verse in the Bible there is a good chance that you have heard it before.  I think the best part about this passage is that it shows our diversity.  We all believe in the same God, we trust in the same Spirit and yet we are given different gifts and different abilities to use for that service.  I personally don't think this is an exhaustive list...how could it be?  But it gives us an idea that the things we are good at the things that we can do to make the world a better place are all gifts and abilities and services that the Spirit has placed in each of us.

Share It:

This weeks share it is going to be obvious and simple and yet I think by talking about it, it will be a great help. Have everyone take a piece of paper and write down the different things they are good at.  Take a few minutes to complete a list.  Then go around in a circle and talk about some or all of those gifts.  After you have all shared spend some time talking about how those things you are good at can be used to help God or give glory to God.  How can these gifts be used to make God known in the world?

Live It:

Take some time this week and use one or more of those gifts on your list to do something that pleases God or makes God known.  See how you can use those things that the Spirit gave you to do wonderful things.

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Please post comments with your experience with the share it or live it part of this weeks post.  Let others know if you and your family found this useful.