Closer To Heaven
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LUSAKA, ZAMBIA — Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, has donated K200,000 (approximately US$11,200) and a bus to the Adventist Youth Ministries of the Lusaka Conference in support of the youth’s community service and mission initiatives, according to a report by Innocent Siachitoba for SID News. The donation was announced […] Source: https://atoday.org/zambian-president-hichilema-supports-lusaka-youth-ministries-with-major-donation/
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.
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).
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? |
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?
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/
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