Waiting For God Lesson 5

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Waiting For GodLesson 5

• February 1

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Be honest, now

• What is one unique talent or ability you have
  (whether useful or pointless)?
• How did you find out what your greatest interests
  were?
• Everyone has some sort of skill
• Today we look at spiritual skills or gifts
• The Spirit of God may take us into surprising,
  difficult situations, but he will equip us along
  the way.

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Listen for a strange phenomenon.

• Acts 25-11 (NIV)  Now there were staying in
  Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation
  under heaven. 6  When they heard this sound, a
  crowd came together in bewilderment, because each
  one heard them speaking in his own language. 7
   Utterly amazed, they asked "Are not all these
  men who are speaking Galileans? 8  Then how is it
  that each of us hears them

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Listen for a strange phenomenon.

• in his own native language? 9  Parthians, Medes
  and Elamites residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and
  Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10  Phrygia and
  Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near
  Cyrene visitors from Rome 11  (both Jews and
  converts to Judaism) Cretans and Arabs--we hear
  them declaring the wonders of God in our own
  tongues!"

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Gifted Communicators

• Who was staying in Jerusalem?
• What languages were the Jews from Galilee
  speaking?
• How did the God-fearing Jews visiting Jerusalem
  react when they heard Christians speaking their
  languages?
• What was the topic of conversation among the
  crowds?

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Gifted Communicators

• Why do people today feel unqualified to share the
  gospel or declare the wonders of God with
  others?
• So what was different about the people who
  declared the wonders of God in this passage?
  They probably didnt have formal training either.

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Gifted Communicators

• How does God use us to witness to others?
• What areas of your own unbelief must you deal
  with in order to become more open to the movement
  of God in your life?

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Listen for contrasts.

• 1 Corinthians 124-7 (NIV) There are different
  kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5  There are
  different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6
   There are different kinds of working, but the
  same God works all of them in all men. 7  Now to
  each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given
  for the common good.
•  

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Variety of Gifts

• So what things were specified different, what
  things were the same?
• Why does Paul use different words to talk about
  something that is a gift? What does use of
  these different words have to say about the
  purpose of spiritual gifts?
• What evidence do you see that Paul is addressing
  believers not only in Corinth but believers
  everywhere for all time?

Different Same

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Variety of Gifts

• What reasons exist that Christians today are
  ignorant about Spiritual gifts?
• How would it affect a church, making it different
  if every believer understood and exercised
  his/her spiritual gift?

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Listen for what happens when good deeds are done
with the wrong motive.

• 1 Corinthians 1231 135 (NIV)  But eagerly
  desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you
  the most excellent way. 1 If I speak in the
  tongues of men and of angels, but have not love,
  I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal.
  2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom
  all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a
  faith that can move

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Listen for what happens when good deeds are done
with the wrong motive.

• mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3
  If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender
  my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain
  nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It
  does not envy, it does not boast, it is not
  proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not
  self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps
  no record of wrongs.

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Ministry in Love

• What good deeds are mentioned in the passage?
• What results when I do these things with the
  wrong motive?
• What kinds of wrong motives might we have?
• What kinds of results might occur from these
  actions with the wrong motives?
• What are the characteristics of love mentioned?

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Application

• The Lord never promised that the Christian life
  would be easy.
• Think about difficult situations you face this
  week
• It is difficult to help others in need recall
  the story of the Good Samaritan
• The Holy Spirit has promised to help us in all
  things.

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Application

• Look for opportunities to point out examples of
  love to your children
• Point out situations where they have the
  opportunity to show love to others
• Ask them if they will be the Good Samaritan that
  Jesus has asked us to be with the help of the
  Holy Spirit

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Application

• Remember the warning from 1 Corinthians 13
  without lovewe are nothing, and we gain
  nothing.
• Consider, this would place love and faith on the
  same level
• Follow the leading of the Holy Spirit and let him
  produce the fruit of love in your life today.

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Waiting For GodLesson 5

• February 1