Ephesians 4:7-16 Intro to Spiritual Gifts

This week we will study part one of spiritual gifts. This week our focus will be a general overview of why gifts are given before we dive into the specific gifts. 

You will spend this week in four different passages: 1 Peter 4:10-11, Ephesians 4:7-16, 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12:1-8. 

So let's go to Ephesians 4 and read verses 7-16. See the word gift? What is a gift? Let's find out by looking up the greek definition using Blue Letter Bible. Write down what you learn about the word in your journal. Make sure you look at both the general definition and the Vine's entry. 

Now let's look at the other passages on Spiritual Gifts. We will end this week's study by coming back to Ephesians 4 and focusing on what we see in this passage, but first let's see what the rest of Scripture has to tell us. 

As we study Spiritual gifts this week and next I want you to use this chart:

I want you to use four different colors of pens or pencils as you write your notes about each different passage. Use one color for 1 Peter 4, one color for 1 Cor 12, one color for Romans 12 and one color for Ephesians 4. This will help you separate what you learn in each passage. 

Read 1 Peter 4:10-11. Write down what you learn that answers the questions who? What? How/Why? and any results (or outcomes). As you answer these questions write down what you learn in the columns on your chart. (This week we are NOT using the Gifts column. The gifts column will be our focus next week)

Read 1 Corinthians 12. Write down what you learn that answers the questions Who (Who was given gifts, who gave them)? What (at what time were they given?)? How/Why(How were they given? Why where they given?)? and any results (or outcomes. What are the result of spiritual gifts). As you answer these questions write down what you learn in the columns on your chart.

Read Romans 12:1-8.Write down what you learn that answers the questions who? What? How/Why? and any results (or outcomes). As you answer these questions write down what you learn in the columns on your chart.

Now let's return to Ephesians 4:7-16. Write down what you learn that answers the questions who? What? How/Why? and any results (or outcomes). As you answer these questions write down what you learn in the columns on your chart.

Now let's look at all we have learned this week about Spiritual Gifts. Remember our goal is to get a general overview of them. We want to know, why they were given, when they were given, how were they given, who they were given to. What is the purpose of the gifts. Stop and review your chart. What did you learn this week about Spiritual Gifts? Was there something new that God showed you? Stop and make note of the new things you learned this week about Spiritual Gifts. Are they important? Why? Write down a summary using all four passages answering the question: Why are Spiritual Gifts given? What is the ultimate purpose/goal of Spiritual Gifts?