Chapter Summary

Spiritual gifts in the Body of Christ, for ministry and worship.

Discussion Questions for 1 Corinthians, Chapter 12

1. Which spiritual gifts do you seem to have? What is the significance of spiritual gifts for the church? Why do you think spiritual gifts can be so controversial in the Church today?
2. Why do you think Paul spends so much time describing the diversity of gifts, but the unity of God? In what ways might spiritual gifts cause division in the church?
3. Who ultimately gives spiritual gifts to believers? Why is it important to recognize that the source of spiritual gifts is not from humans? How does this change the function and purpose of spiritual gifts?
4. In what ways can we feel "superior" based on the gifts God has given us? Why is it important that different people in the church have different functions and gifts?
5. What is the significance of the imagery of "the body" (HCSB) that Paul uses to describe the Church? What are some other references where we see the Church described as a "body"? Why do you think the Bible describes the Church in that way?
6. How many spiritual gifts are listed in this chapter? How many types of leaders are listed? Is this a complete and exhaustive list? Why do you think Paul lays out all of these gifts and positions like this?
7. Verses 28-30 seem to be rhetorical questions. Do you know the answers to these? Why is it important to know the answers that Paul is implying in these questions?
8. What are the "greater gifts" in verse 31? In what ways are there greater gifts than what Paul mentioned in the previous verses? Is that what he means by this statement?
9. Do you think the positions listed in verse 28 are in order of importance? Why or why not? How does that compare with Paul's encouragement in the rest of the chapter to be unified? In what ways do churches today separate "important" positions above others in the church?
10. According to this chapter, do all believers have some sort of spiritual gift? If so, how should they be exercised? How do you see spiritual gifts exercised in your church today?

Key Words/Phrase

Gifts, vv. 1, 30.

Characters

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Paul.

Strong Verse(s)

3, 7, 13, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27.