Why was Paul talking about spiritual gifts? Join the Hit the Mark panel as they discuss Sabbath School Lesson 6 – Spiritual Gifts. It’s the fastest hour of the week! Get this week’s Keyword Workbook HERE.
Monday: Unity Through Diversity
Daily Lesson for Monday 3rd of August 2026
The language of oneness introduced in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (“the same Spirit,” “the same Lord,” and “the same God”) is developed in the rest of 1 Corinthians 12:1-31. This is evidenced by Paul’s use of phrases such as “one and the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:11, NKJV), “the body is one” (1 Corinthians 12:12), “one body” (1 Corinthians 12:12-13,20), “one Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:13 [two times]), and “the same care for one another” (1 Corinthians 12:25, NKJV).
Image © Lars Justinen from GoodSalt.com
Alongside the concept of unity, Paul highlights the diversity of members in the body of Christ through such expressions as “many members” (1 Corinthians 12:12,20), “we were all baptized” (1 Corinthians 12:13, NKJV), “not one member but many” (1 Corinthians 12:14, NKJV), “the whole body” (1 Corinthians 12:17), “each one of them” (1 Corinthians 12:18, NKJV), “members of the body” (1 Corinthians 12:22-23), and “all the members” (1 Corinthians 12:26). This emphasis on both unity and diversity indicates that spiritual gifts aim to promote unity through diversity.
This unity amid diversity must reflect the character of God. The Father is one person, the Son is another person, and the Holy Spirit another. The three maintain Their individualities while working together to edify the church and empower it for mission (1 Corinthians 12:4-6, Ephesians 4:11-13).
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-31. Why is the analogy of a body with its many parts appropriate to represent the church and its members?
One central thought in 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 is that although the body’s members are individually so different from one another (1 Corinthians 12:15-20), they are all dependent on each other (1 Corinthians 12:21-26). The feet depend on the eyes to see where they must walk; in turn, the eyes can’t touch anything—only the hands can. Also, the idea that some members are weaker (1 Corinthians 12:22) or less honorable (1 Corinthians 12:23) than others is only an impression, for all are necessary (1 Corinthians 12:22).
Unfortunately, there was a tendency among the Corinthians to value some gifts to the neglect of others. To rectify the Corinthians from making this mistake, Paul called their attention to love, which is “a more excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31, NKJV). In other words, no matter what the gift is, if practiced wisely and with love, it is pleasant to God.
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See the lists of gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10,28; Romans 12:6-8; and Ephesians 4:11. What is your gift? How can you use it to edify the body of Christ? |
6: Spiritual Gifts-Sabbath School Lesson Teaching Plan
Prepared for Sabbath School Class on August 8.
Photograph by William Earnhardt
Key Text: “Pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy” (1 Corinthians 14:1, ESV).
Read in Class: 1 Corinthians 12:1-2, 27-31.
Study: What is Paul’s main emphasis, and why is the analogy of a body with its many parts appropriate to represent the church and its members?
Apply: How can we use our various gifts in unity, and why is that so important?
Share: Share some examples of how we are all equal but not the same. For a hint, see Equal Gift but not the Same Gifts.
Read in Class: 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 4:8-11.
Study: What is the role of love as far as spiritual gifts are concerned?
Apply: Why is love so central to our faith? What better way to experience the reality of God’s love than by prayerfully seeking to reflect that love to others?
Share: Someone asks, “How can someone give all they have to the poor, and even die for their beliefs and not have love?” What do you tell your friend?
Read in Class: 1 Corinthians 12:10, 20, 1 Corinthians 14:5, 13, 26-27.
Study: What particular instruction did Paul give concerning the gift of tongues?
Apply: Read 1 Corinthians 14:22. How can we use the ability to speak different languages to help spread the Gospel today? Does this passage also tell us to be careful how we use the spirit of prophecy with unbelievers?
Share: Your friend asks, how do we know that speaking in tongues means speaking in a language people can understand? What do you tell your friend? See Acts 2:7-8. See also Speaking in Tongues in the Bible.
Read in Class: Ephesians 4:11-13 and 1 Corinthians 14:3-4
Study: What do these passages say about the purpose of spiritual gifts in general and the gift of prophecy in particular?
Apply: Should we use the Spirit of Prophecy with unbelievers in the same way we use it with believers? Why is it so important that we understand the different roles the Spirit of Prophecy plays in the church and outside of the church?
Share: Share how the Spirit of Prophecy has helped you appreciate the Scriptures more and understand the love of God more clearly.
Mission: Can you affirm the spiritual gifts you see in others this week?
Update: Wandile Mthiyane Secures Harvard Funding After Global Fundraising Effort
This story is an update to a previously published article. Andrews University alumnus Wandile Mthiyane has announced that he has secured the funding needed to begin his studies at Harvard University, bringing an end to weeks of uncertainty that threatened to derail his plans. Mthiyane, who walked 1,600 kilometers across South Africa in 2023 to […] Source: https://atoday.org/update-wandile-mthiyane-secures-harvard-funding-after-global-fundraising-effort/
God Fulfilled His Promises
But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son. Galatians 4:4.
Christ came to this world to reveal the Father, to give to humanity a true knowledge of God. He came to manifest the love of God. Without a knowledge of God, humanity would be eternally lost…. Life and power must be imparted by Him who made the world.
The promise made in Eden—the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent’s head—was the promise of the Son of God, through whose power alone could the counsel of God be fulfilled and the knowledge of God be imparted.
God made the promise to Abraham, “In thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.” To Abraham was unfolded God’s purpose for the redemption of the race…. Christ declared, “Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.”
Jacob declared, “The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”
To Moses God talked face to face, as one talks with a friend. On him shone the light regarding the Savior. He said to the people, “The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken.”
The sacrifices and offerings told their story of the coming Savior, who was to be offered up for the sins of the world. They pointed forward to a better service than theirs, when God would be worshipped in spirit and truth and in the beauty of holiness.
In the Jewish service was typified the atonement demanded by the broken law. The victim, a lamb without spot or blemish, represented the world’s Redeemer, who is so holy and so efficient that He can take away the sin of the world.
To David was given the promise that Christ should reign forever and ever, and that of His kingdom there should be no end.
The Hebrews lived in an attitude of expectancy, looking for the promised Messiah. Many died in faith, not having received the promises; but having seen them afar off, they believed and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.—Youth’s Instuctor, September 13, 1900.
From the Heart p. 225
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Prayer Requests
—-Please pray for Pat who had temporal artery biopsies Thursday. Also please pray for Brenda who has some serious back problems. Rose
—-Requesting prayer for a loved one for safe travels. David
—-My husband is almost 72 and he is a truck driver. It is a physical job due to lots of hooking and unhooking of trailers. The other driver just quit. Please pray that they will hire another driver ASAP, my husband will desperately need the help. Lucyanne
—-Please pray for my friend Steve. He is struggling with severe anxiety. Torrie
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Dear Friends,
This past week, I was looking at some books in one of our bookcases. I found there an award I was given at an awards ceremony at work for my length of service. Each department head called their employees up to the front, said nice things about them, and gave them their award. Five in our department received an award. Our boss also said nice things about each of us. Soon we each had our award and it was back to work as usual.
I couldn’t help thinking of another “awards ceremony” where the reward will be far greater than a worthless keepsake. On that grand and glorious day, the Great King of the universe will say to each of us, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matt 25:21 Moreover He will place upon our head a crown, give us a harp, and allow us to sit with Him in His throne. (Rev 3:21) What a privilege!
Revelation chapters two and three speak of many rewards we will be given. It is well to review these awards from time to time. “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.” “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.” “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.” “Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.” “To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”
After that great awards ceremony above, life will never go back to “work as usual.” Isaiah and the Loving Disciple John wrote about our life when sin and sinners are no more, and we will dwell with the One Who loves us so. Take a few minutes to read Revelation chapters 21 and 22, as well as Isaiah 65:17-25; 66:22, 23; 11:6-9; 35 May we each experience the great reward that our Dear Saviour has gone to prepare for us is my prayer. (John 14:1-3)
Rose
Source: https://rosesdevotional.org/god-fulfilled-his-promises.html
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