To Each is Given

1 The Nourishing Vocation Project Near and Now: Discernment as a Way of Life: Gifts for Everyone! Warm-up Question What’s the best gift you’ve ever received, and what made it so special? Gift Boxes by FutUndBeidl is licensed under CC BY 2.0 Discussion Questions 1. What do you see in this image? 2. What do you feel looking at this image? 3. What stories from your own life does this image bring to mind? 4. What stories of the world does this image bring to mind? 2 To Each is Given Read I Corinthians 12:1-11 Bible Story Reflection As I read Paul’s words, I’m reminded of the phrase “it takes a village to raise a child.” The phrase reminds us that it takes more than just a child’s parents or immediate family to help them become the adults they are meant to be; rather, it takes a community— siblings, grandparents, friends, teachers, church members, you name it—to help parents and guardians ensure a child has their needs met and grows up to become a member of society. In the same way, it takes more than one or two spiritual gifts, or a select few people with multiple gifts, to accomplish God’s plans for the world. It takes all of us using all of the gifts God provides to accomplish God’s plans for the world. It would be easy to read that last sentence and roll your eyes because surely God only uses certain people, right? Surely God can’t actually use everyone? And yet, it clearly states in verse 6 that “God..activates all of [these gifts] in everyone” (emphasis added). God doesn’t reserve spiritual gifts for the select few—the pastors, the theologians, the highly-devout. Instead, God willingly and graciously gifts each and every believer with spiritual gifts. Typically, when we give someone a gift, it is for the recipient’s pleasure or benefit. But that’s not what God has in mind for spiritual gifts. These gifts (some of which are listed here; see also Romans 12: 6-8 and Ephesians 4: 11-16 for additional gifts) are for everybody else’s good. These are gifts that—when used as God intended—end up benefiting the church and ultimately the wider world. If anything, spiritual gifts really are gifts for everyone. Discussion Questions 1. When do you find yourself aware of needing somebody else’s gift(s)? 2. Talk about a time where your gift(s) contributed to something positive. 3. Talk about a time when the lack of a specific gift(s) contributed to failure. 4. In your experience, what gift(s) is valued in the church today? 5. Why do you think it’s so hard to view as valuable our unique gifts as individuals? 6. What helps you recognize your gifts or the gifts of others? 7. What does it mean to you that God both gives and activates your gifts for the common good? 8. How are you called to use your gifts for the common good? Written by Mallory Morris 3 Activity Suggestions Take time to list three to five (3-5) of your best gifts and how you think you can use said gifts for the common good. Take time with 1-2 other people to share your list of gifts. After sharing, allow the other person(s) time to share what they see as your gifts or how you could use your gifts for the common good. As a group, take time to name one or two (1-2) needs in your community and the kinds of gifts needed to address said need(s). Prayer Concerns Those discerning what their gifts are, those discerning how to best use their gifts, and those working to use their gifts for the common good. Closing Prayer Help me, O God, to use the gifts you have given me for the common good. In the name of +Jesus, Amen. Written by Mallory Morris