The Gifts of the Holy Spirit in Scripture - Lesson X
1. How is this passage (1Cor 12:31-14:1)
related to the gifts of the Spirit?
It emphasizes the necessity of love in exercising the gifts. Love
ensures that the gifts are used for the benefit of others.
2. Why does Paul say that we should
especially desire to prophesy?
Prophecy is a gift from God that exhorts or challenges the
community to love one another as Christ loves us. It can bring
life to the Church, His body (cf Ezekiel and the dry bones, Ez
37:1-14), being a direct now word from God.
3. How are spiritual gifts different from
talents or natural gifts we have?
Spiritual gifts are supernatural, one can not obtain them on
his/her own. Only believers can receive gifts of the Holy Spirit.
When received, they don’t really belong to us nor used at
our direction, but at the direction of the Holy Spirit for
building up the body of Christ. (Of course it would be good if
our natural gifts and talents were used that way too.)
4. What gifts do we see or not see active
in our present day churches?
Gifts of the Holy Spirit vary within groups and the answers will
be varied. It may be difficult in the case of some gifts (e.g.
administration, helps, giving) to tell whether it is the
supernatural gift of the Spirit or a natural talent being
exercised. In most we do not see prophecy, tongues,
interpretation of tongues, word of knowledge, deliverance, or
healing being active.
5. Why do we not see all of the gifts of
the Spirit active in our churches?
Not seeking them; lack of knowledge of them (no teaching on
them); lack of expectancy and faith; fear; lack of a setting in
which they are encouraged.
6. What keeps us from accepting gifts of
the Holy Spirit?
Reasons may differ by individual, some possible ones: pride and
not wanting to yield to the Holy Spirit; lack of knowledge of
them; lack of expectancy; fear of embarrassment; feeling of
unworthiness
7. How could we have a setting in which the
gifts of the Spirit are expected and active?
Some have found it in prayer meetings where people gather to pray
and worship and are explicitly open to the spiritual gifts.
Ideally, our parishes would provide teaching and encouragement so
that in any gathering of Christians the spiritual gifts would be
expected and active.
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