LifeGroup Discussion Questions Unity in Diversity 1

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LifeGroup Discussion Questions

Unity in Diversity

1 Corinthians 12

June 3, 2018

1. Knowledge doesn’t necessarily lead to true spirituality. (1-3) a. The Christ-follower does not mix worldly values, attitudes, and behaviors with their Christian life. b. We must have people in our life that care enough for us to lovingly correct false spiritual practice. c. Submitting to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior unifies believers. 2. Varieties of spiritual gifts in the church reflect the diversity in our Trinitarian God. (4-7) a. There is one God, but three different persons who have different roles. b. We can be fearful of differences of others, but differences in personalities and gifts reflect the complexity and beauty of our God who is perfectly and completely unified in three persons. c. The varieties of spiritual gifts are manifestations of God in the believer for the common good of the church and the world to the glory of God. 3. There are many gifts, but the same God gives and empowers them all as he wills. (8-13) 4. Paul compares the church to a human body to help the Corinthians (and us) understand the unity and celebrate the diversity of each individual member of the family of God. (14-27) a. A feeling of inferiority of the gift that God has given you is paralyzing. b. A feeling of superiority of the gift that God has given you is crippling. c. The members of Christ’s body are not independent, nor dependent, but interdependent. 5. Application: Use your gifts in conjunction with the body of Christ. a. Discover your gifts and serve. i. Find out what help the body needs. ii. Pray. iii. Ask yourself, “What do I enjoy doing?” (where do your passions and gifts align?) iv. Seek godly counsel. v. Serve! b. Celebrate others and their gifts with genuine love and unity. Questions 1. Based on #1 above, what is the harm in mixing worldly values with our Christian faith? In what ways does submitting to Christ as Savior and Lord unify believers, no matter what how different we are? 2. Based on #2, why do we fear differences of spiritual gifts and/or personalities? Paul tells Christians to see differing gifts as manifestations of the Spirit for the common good. How does that help us celebrate people with different gifts? 3. How can you encourage someone who is struggling with feeling inferior in regards to spiritual gifts? 4. “I’ve been hurt by the church…I don’t need anyone else, it’s just going to be me and God from now on.” How do you encourage and/or exhort the person who says something to this effect?