08 - THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

ICE BREAKER / GAME

What has been one low point and one highlight of the last year for you?

GROUP SESSION VIDEO

GROUP SESSION CONVERSATION GUIDE 

1 CORINTHIANS 12:1 Now concerning SPIRITUAL GIFTS, brethren, I do not want you to be IGNORANT…

  • 5 MINISTRY – OFFICES (FUNCTIONAL)
  • 9 MOTIVATIONAL – GRACE TALENTS (FUNCTIONAL)
  • 9 OPERATIONAL (CHARISMA – GRACE GIFTS)

TOTAL = 23 SPIRITUAL GIFTS

 

FUNCTIONAL GIFTS [Ministry Gifts (5) and Motivational (9)]

God designed you to fulfill a specific “function” in the church and gifted you accordingly. The MOTIVATIONAL and MINISTRY GIFTS you POSSESS, these gifts are YOURS; They ARE PART OF WHO YOU ARE. You operate in them all the time, intentionally or unintentionally. 

 

MINISTRY GIFTS (OFFICES) - FUNCTIONAL

  • EPHESIANS 4:11-13 NKJV

OFFICES – an official position of duty, trust, or authority; especially in the government, a corporation, a society or the like.

  1. APOSTLE — the office AND exceptional ability (possessing unsolicited vision and energy) to start and oversee the development of new churches with extraordinary spiritual authority, often with signs and wonders, and unusual transference of insight and enlightenment.
  2. EVANGELIST — the office AND exceptional ability (possessing unsolicited vision and energy) to effectively communicate the gospel to unbelievers, often utilizing “gifts of healings” or other sign gifts, so people are inspired to respond in faith accepting Jesus Christ as their Savior.
  3. PASTOR/SHEPHERD — the office AND exceptional ability (possessing unsolicited vision and energy) to assume long-term spiritual authority and responsibility to spiritually feed, nurture, protect, care for, guide and correct people for on-going spiritual maturity so they can be fully devoted followers of Jesus.
  4. PROPHET — the office AND exceptional ability (possessing unsolicited vision and energy) to confront and supernaturally communicate using the operational gifts of the Discerning of Spirits, Word of Knowledge and Word of Wisdom to reveal the mind of God and without any natural means of knowing the information.
  5. TEACHER — the office AND exceptional ability (possessing unsolicited vision and energy) to communicate biblical information in a systematic and relevant way so that others will learn and become fully devoted followers of Jesus.

 

MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS - FUNCTIONAL

  • 1 CORINTHIANS 12:27-31 NKJV
  • ROMANS 12:3-8 NKJV
  • 1 PETER 4:9-10 NKJV
  • ROMANS 8:26-28 NKJV

 MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS ARE THE ABILITIES WITHOUT THE OFFICES

  1. ADMINISTRATION (1 Cor 12:28)— the ability (possessing unsolicited vision and energy) to understand the goals of a ministry in the church and to organize and implement steps to systematically accomplish those goals
  2. ENCOURAGEMENT/EXHORTATION (Rom 12:8) — the ability (possessing unsolicited vision and energy) to strengthen, comfort, console, encourage and/or counsel others who are discouraged or wavering in their faith
  3. GIVING (Rom 12:8) — the ability (possessing unsolicited vision and energy) to be directed by God to contribute money and resources to the church or ministries with extreme liberality and cheerfulness
  4. HELPS (1 Cor 12:28) — the ability (possessing unsolicited vision and energy) to lighten the load and provide relief to those who minister within the church by doing practical tasks for them
  5. HOSPITALITY (1 Pet 4:9-10) — the ability (possessing unsolicited vision and energy) to create positive relational emotions of acceptance, connectivity and friendship in others by providing a warm welcome, unusual service and resourcefulness in communicating value to people 
  6. INTERCESSION (Rom 8:26) — the ability (possessing unsolicited vision and energy) to pray for specific needs of others with great fervency, frequency and for extended periods of time
  7. LEADERSHIP (Rom 12:8) — the ability (possessing unsolicited vision and energy) to give vision, motivation and direction to the church or one of its ministries so that others will work together harmoniously 
  8. MERCY (Rom 12:8) — the ability (possessing unsolicited vision and energy) to genuinely feel empathy for people who suffer from distressing physical, mental or emotional problems and to translate that compassion into practical help aimed at alleviating their suffering
  9. SERVICE (Rom 12:9) — the ability (possessing unsolicited vision and energy) to see what needs to be done in a practical sense within the church and then to meet those needs through serving

 

OPERATIONAL GIFTS – GRACE GIFTS

  • 1 CORINTHIANS 12:1-11 NKJV

THE OPERATIONAL GIFTS ARE GRACE ENDOWMENTS (CHARISMA)

The operational gifts are available to all believers as opportunities arise. If God determines there is a need and you are available, then God will use you in one of these gifts. YOU DO NOT “OWN” OPERATIONAL GIFTS. THEY ARE NOT PART OF YOUR MAKE-UP. THEY ONLY HAPPEN AS GOD SOVERIEGNLY WILLS (positive sovereignty).

DEFINITION: Gifts of the Spirit - are divine communications and endowments transmitted from God through the Holy Spirit into the Body of Christ, the Church.

 

3 REVELATION GIFTS

  • THE GIFT OF THE WORD OF KNOWLEDGE
  • THE GIFT OF THE WORD OF WISDOM
  • THE GIFT OF DISCERNING OF SPIRITS

Everything within the realm of knowledge is covered in at least one of these gifts. Whether facts, events, purposes, motives, origins, or destinies — human, divine, or satanic; natural or supernatural; or past, present, or future — there is at least one gift that covers it. All this knowledge comes within the focal range of one or the other of these three revelation gifts.

 

3 POWER GIFTS

  • THE GIFT OF SPECIAL FAITH
  • THE GIFT(S) OF HEALING
  • THE GIFT OF WORKING OF MIRACLES

Through these gifts God imparts His own divine powers and abilities to man. They involve a supernatural ability and energy which man does not naturally possess

 

3 COMMUNICATION GIFTS

  • THE GIFT OF PROPHECY
  • THE GIFT(S) OF TONGUES
  • THE GIFT OF INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES

Through these gifts God brings His anointing and blessing to the Church. These gifts have to do with corporate worship, not personal worship. 

1 CORINTHIANS 14:3 NKJV But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort TO MEN.

 

THE POWER OF FAITH AND GIFTS

ROMANS 12:6 NKJVHaving then GIFTS DIFFERING ACCORDING TO THE GRACE that is given to us, let us use them: if PROPHECY, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;

  • 5 MINISTRY – OFFICES (FUNCTIONAL)
  • 9 MOTIVATIONAL – GRACE TALENTS (FUNCTIONAL)
  • 9 OPERATIONAL (CHARISMA – GRACE GIFTS)

TOTAL = 23 SPIRITUAL GIFTS

 

HUNGER FOR HIM

1 THESSALONIANS 5:19-21 KJV QUENCH (extinguish) NOT the SPIRIT. 20 DESPISE (displace or set aside, regard lightly, or not esteem) NOT prophesyings. 21 PROVE ALL THINGS; hold fast that which is good.

1 CORINTHIANS 12:31 NKJV But EARNESTLY DESIRE the BEST GIFTS. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

1 CORINTHIANS 14:39-40 NKJV Therefore, brethren, DESIRE EARNESTLY to prophesy, and DO NOT FORBID to speak with tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.

EARNESTLY DESIRE (covet) comes from the Greek word root ZELOS which means to be ZEALOUS or have warmth of feeling towards.  It is an intense desire! Here it refers to a positive energy pocket.

QUESTIONS

  1. After watching this session’s video, what is your biggest takeaway, “ah ha” moment, or challenging thought? Why?
  2. When you hear about the Holy Spirit and His gifts, what does it make you feel, and why.
  3. Have you ever assessed and identified your motivational gifts? What were they?
  4. Have you ever been privileged to work with God in operational gifts? What was that experience like?
  5. Do you feel like you demonstrate a heart-hunger for all things related to the Holy Spirit? Why or why not?

PRAYER

Prayer time with the Group.

ENCOURAGEMENT CONNECTION THIS WEEK

PRAY FOR GROUP MEMBER - Pray for at least one person in the Group. Try to identify someone who hasn't been prayed for, or given an encouraging Scripture. Don't worry about feeling inadequate as a prayer. No one feels like they are professional prayers, at least not when they look into eyes of the Almighty God. Praying the Scriptures over people is the best way to learn how to pray effectively. Simply find a Scripture, put the person's name in the text, and pray those words out loud. Then ask the Lord to help you think of things to say to Him about them that would help their lives. 

ASK FOR A SCRIPTURE WORD - Ask God to give you a Scripture to give them to encourage, comfort and edify them. You can Google search "God's Promises" and find a plethora of appropriate texts. Look for one that seems to give you a spark of energy as you think about the person you have been praying for.

DELIVER THE WORD TO THEM - Then send them an email, text or phone call to encourage them. This is how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. As you practice these movements you will expand your own capacity with God, all while giving people much needed hope and strength. 

DISMISS

Patrick NorrisComment