1 Corinthians 12 · Grade 5

Varieties of Gifts, One Spirit

Name Date

Read and Think

Paul turns to spiritual gifts, a topic that had become a source of pride in Corinth. He begins with a test: no one speaking by the Spirit curses Jesus, and no one can confess that Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Every believer, then, has the Spirit. He stresses unity in diversity: varieties of gifts, service, and workings come from the same Spirit, Lord, and God. Each manifestation of the Spirit is given for the profit of all.

Paul lists gifts such as wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discernment, languages, and interpretation, all distributed by the one Spirit as He wills. Believers were all baptized by one Spirit into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, slaves or free. The body analogy confronts two errors. Some felt inferior and concluded they did not belong. Others felt superior and imagined they did not need other members.

God composed the body, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that the members would have the same care for one another. Shared suffering and shared joy mark a healthy church. Paul asks a series of questions expecting the answer no: are all apostles, prophets, or teachers? Diversity is God's design. He urges them to desire the greater gifts and then promises to show them a more excellent way, the way of love in chapter 13.

Show What You Know

What does Paul say no one can confess except by the Holy Spirit?
What two errors does the body analogy confront?
Why did God give greater honor to the parts that lacked it?
What more excellent way does Paul promise to show?

Crossword

Across

There are various ____ of service
Do all have ____ of healings
Now there are ____ kinds of gifts

Down

To ____ faith by the same Spirit
But now God has set the ____

Think About It

Paul says some believers feel they do not belong and others feel they do not need anyone. Which of these attitudes are you more tempted toward, and how does the body picture correct it?
God designed diversity in the church. How can differences between believers make a church stronger rather than divided?

Memory Verse

“For as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.”

1 Corinthians 12:12 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for giving me a place in Your family. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

When have you felt you did not fit in, and what does God say about you?
How can differences make a church stronger?
What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?