Small Group Inductive Bible Study: “You Are Gifted by God”
Passages: 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 14-26
Big Idea: God has gifted each of us uniquely, and we all need each other’s gifts to function as the body of Christ effectively.
1. Opening Activity (10 minutes)
- Icebreaker Question: “What’s a skill or talent you have that you enjoy using?”
- Use this to introduce the concept of gifts and how everyone has something valuable to contribute.
2. Observation Questions (15 minutes)
Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-7
- What are the different gifts, services, and activities mentioned?
- Who is the source of all these gifts?
- According to verse 7, what is the purpose of these gifts?
Read 1 Corinthians 12:14-20
- What imagery does Paul use to describe the church in these verses?
- How does Paul emphasize the importance of diversity in the body?
- What does he say about each part’s uniqueness?
Read 1 Corinthians 12:21-26
- How does Paul describe the relationship between different parts of the body?
- What happens when one part of the body suffers or rejoices?
- What attitude should the members of the body have towards each other?
3. Interpretation Questions (20 minutes)
- 1 Corinthians 12:4-7: Why does Paul emphasize that there are different gifts but the same Spirit? How does this change how we view our own gifts?
- 1 Corinthians 12:14-20: What does the body metaphor teach us about our need for diversity in the church? Why is it important that we recognize we are all different?
- 1 Corinthians 12:21-26: How does the analogy of the weaker parts of the body help us understand our need for each other, even those who seem less prominent?
4. Application Questions (25 minutes)
- Personal Reflection: Think about the gifts God has given you. How are you currently using them to serve others?
- Community Reflection: How can you better appreciate the different gifts that others in the group or church bring? How might you encourage someone else in their gifting?
- Practicing Unity: Is there anyone in your life or in the church whom you may have overlooked or undervalued? How can you reach out to them and affirm their importance in the body of Christ?
- Teamwork in Action: Think about a project or need in your church or community. How could the different gifts in this group be used to meet that need together?
5. Group Activity: “Body Map” (15 minutes)
- Instructions: Draw a simple outline of a human body on a large piece of paper. As a group, write down the different gifts that each person has and place them on different “parts” of the body (e.g., someone with a teaching gift might be placed near the mouth, someone with a serving gift near the hands).
- Discussion: How does this visual help us understand the importance of each member’s role in the body of Christ?
6. Prayer (10 minutes)
- Prayer Focus: Pray for unity in the group and for God to reveal more about each person’s unique gifts. Ask God to give the group a spirit of appreciation for one another and to help each member find ways to serve that bring glory to God.
- Have a few group members pray specifically for individuals to have opportunities to use their gifts this week.
Key Takeaway: God has gifted each of us uniquely, and every person has a role to play in the body of Christ. We need each other to function effectively and to serve the common good.