Scripture and Writing Series: Week 5

Source: modernekklesia.com

For those of you who can't join us in person, we offer the next best thing -- a blog version of our lesson, so that you can do it at home. This series is called: Scripture & Writing. 

This week is Spiritual Gifts and Writing - prepared by Dawn M. Hamsher

Scriptures:   

“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. 1 Corinthians 12:4-5

“But it is one and the same Spirit who does all this; as he wishes, he gives a different gift to each person.” 1 Corinthians 12:11

If you read further in the passage, you learn that God gives us each spiritual gifts.

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Exhortation -- words of encouragement, comfort, consolation, and counsel

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Service -- identify undone tasks in God's work and use available resources to get the job done

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Leadership --direction of the body with such care and diligence so as to motivate others to get involved in the accomplishment of these goals

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Teaching--instruct others in the Bible in a logical, systematic way so as to communicate pertinent information for true understanding and growth

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Giving—share your resources liberality and cheerfulness without thought of return

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Mercy--sensitive toward those who are suffering, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally, so as to feel genuine sympathy with their misery, speaking words of compassion and caring for them with deeds of love to help alleviate their distress

Prophecy--to speak forth the message of God to His people

One person might enjoy volunteering. One is good at teaching. One has a heart for the homeless. God gives us different gifts and in different proportions. So, what does that have to do with writing? 
  
If you haven’t already, you can take the Spiritual Gifts Assessment at home:
 http://mintools.com/spiritual-gifts-test.htm

 QUESTIONS:
1. Who gives out spiritual gifts?
2. Do you only get one spiritual gift?
3. Based on the above spiritual gift definitions, what are your top spiritual gifts?
4. Why did God give out spiritual gifts? Why did he specifically give you your gifts?
5. How can your passion for writing be used with your spiritual gifts?
6. What are some specific things you can write that would be using your spiritual gifts? Look at each spiritual gift and write down one form of writing that would fit with the gift.
7. How do you think God feels when people use their gifts? When they don’t? Why is it important for you to “write” your gifts?
8. What’s stopping you from using your gifts? From writing?

Devotion: “Gifted for Your Job” by Dawn M. Hamsher

1 Chronicles 22:11 and 1 Chronicles 23-26

As King David prepares to pass on the rule of Israel to his son, Solomon, he wants to set him up for success. The temple is to be built by Solomon, so David smoothes the way by organizing the Levites, who will care for the temple. He gives them jobs. He makes them priests, officers, judges, gatekeepers, musicians, and treasurers.

The jobs that are given out makes me think of our role in God’s kingdom. We are not Levites, but God’s plan for us is no less important. God gives us spiritual gifts. He does it so that the kingdom is cared for. If everyone uses their gifts, then all will run smoothly in God’s plan.

My role in God’s plan is unique because no one else can fulfill it. When God gives out spiritual gifts, he does not use a cookie cutter stamp. Instead, he gives each person a different portion. Combine that with different life experiences and you have individuals uniquely equipped to serve God and his people.

God has given you what you need to do the job. Are you using your gifts?

Prayer: Lord, I thank you for giving me such unique gifts. I thank you for the care you put into making me. Please open my eyes and show me how to use the gifts you gave me. Help me to serve you. Amen.



Writing Prompt/Homework: “My Spiritual Gifts”- Write about your spiritual gifts and how God might be nudging you to use them to work for him.