SCRIPTURE BY DOUG SMITH
Lesson Text: 1 Corinthians 12:14-31
Related Scriptures: Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4: 1-16
In this letter to the church in Corinth, Paul explains the functioning of the body, as well as the body of Christ. The spiritual gifts given to each person by the Holy Spirit are special abilities that are to be used to minister to the needs of the body of believers. Instead of building and unifying the Corinthian church, spiritual gifts were splitting it. They had become symbols of spiritual power, causing rivalries because some believed they were more spiritual than others, according to their gifts.
In Romans12:3-8, Paul uses the concept of the human body to teach how Christians should live and work together. Each Christian are to work together under the command and authority of Jesus Christ. These gifts of grace provide all the power and ability we need to serve each other, whether our gift is service, teaching, exhortation, mercy or some other area.
In Ephesians 4:1-16, “There is one body” says Paul, and we have been given many gifts and abilities. Unity does not just happen, we have to work at it, therefore it does not imply uniformity. It does not mean that all Christians will think alike or perform identical ministries. There is a common purpose and interdependence within the body of Christ, whereas the spiritual gifts are to compliment Christian unity. In these verses Paul focused upon those “equipping gifts”, the gift of apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher.
SYNOPSIS BY BRITTENNE BOYKIN
In this week’s lesson text, the Apostle Paul paints a clear picture of the body of Christ using a visual familiar to all, the human body. The apostle starts with a series of questions for thought. (Vs. 14-17) 14.For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body.
Paul causes us to take note of the collective, collaborative functioning of the body. What would it look like if one of our body parts simply decided because it was not another part of the body that it did not want to function? We simply could not function properly. He causes us to ponder what our quality of life would look life if we were all an eye or an ear, all doing the same thing. He continues to reiterate that we are many members but one body!
Paul reminds us that the members of the body cannot simply say to one another that they have no need of one another, no matter how different they are (Vs. 21). He takes it a step further with the notion that the members of the body we think weaker are to be esteemed greater! (Vs. 23) He plainly says that there should be no division in the body, but we should have the same care for one another (Vs. 25). The Apostle Paul then list some of the particular functions of Christ body, apostles, prophets, teachers, miracles, healings and helps to name a few (Vs. .27) He admonishes us to covet the best gifts and points to a more excellent way. (Vs.31)
PRACTICAL APPLICATION BY OLIVIA SAUNDERS
Have you ever noticed in high school on career day, that there is a booth usually from the army? The slogan is whether “ Be All You Can Be”, or The Army Wants You? Have you ever considered that there is a great recruitment going on in the natural and the spiritual? In our lesson today we can clearly see that God distinctly structured us for the role we have been called to walk out in the kingdom. We have all been given the power and ability to do what God has called and created us to do, but will we answer when it’s our turn ?
All throughout the scriptures we see that God has given humans, whom he made by hand, very important roles for the kingdom. We see some members of the church have a more public role and exercise more leadership and responsibility. There are various forms of leadership, and various forms of ministry. The truth is that we are all special in God’s sight and He has given us all a gift to edify His kingdom. Whether one believes, understands or have clarity on what our gift is in the body of Christ, we all have a gift.
One might ask, how can I use my gift to edify or participate in the body of Christ? “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you”( Matthew 6:33). When we are involved in the church and stay planted and diligent we will see how God can use it for his glory. Remember that no matter how big or small one may be used, all are an important part of the body of Christ. We will remember that if no one else is watching, God is, and there is no reward too small or too big that comes from God for being obedient in what He has called us to do.
