Ephesians 4:7-16

< Ephesians Index Next Talk >


TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Spiritual Gifts

BACKGROUND NOTES



DOCTRINAL POINT(S)

  1. Believers should recognize and use their spiritual gifts in love.
    a. the Giver of the gifts
    b. the diversity of the gifts
    c. the function of the gifts
    d. the goal of the gifts
    e. the results of the gifts
    f. the success of the gifts

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

  1. Are you still an unopened gift?

QUESTIONS

  1. What are the four New Testament passages on spiritual gifts?

  2. Is there a difference between spiritual gifts and spiritual blessings?

  3. Read 1 Peter 4:10 and Ephesians 4:7. Does every Christian have at least one spiritual gift?

  4. Does a Christian have any excuse for not using his spiritual gifts?

  5. Who gives the gifts? Who recognizes the gifts?

  6. Are the gifts of apostles and prophets given today?

  7. What is the function of the gifts?

ANSWERS

  1. Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4.

  2. Yes. In Ephesians 1 there is a list of spiritual blessings, that every Christian has available to him. In Ephesians 4, there is a list of spiritual gifts, but not every Christian has all of the spiritual gifts.

  3. Yes, to each one of us grace was given.

  4. No. The Lord not only gives spiritual gifts, but He gives the ability and power to use these gifts.

  5. The Lord Himself. The Church.

  6. The gifts no longer exist, as they are the foundation which has already been built. See Ephesians 2:20.

  7. Equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ. Gifts are to be used to serve one another.

DISCUSS/CONSIDER

  1. Review Ephesians 4:8 (Psalm 68:18). What is this a picture of? How does it relate to believers today?

  2. The key to the effective working of gifts is love. The church in Corinth had all the gifts, but they were not successful because they didn’t have much love for one another. What does this say to us today?

CHALLENGE

  1. Are you still an unopened gift? Or are you exercising your gift in love?

KEY VERSES

  • “To each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” Ephesians 4:7

  • “He equipped the saints for the work of ministry and for the edifying of the body of Christ.” Ephesians 4:12

  • “…grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ.” Ephesians 4:15



Ephesians, New Testament, TalksDeb HarmsEphesians 4:7-16