8-2-2026: Gifts of Grace

8-2-2026: Gifts of Grace

Sermon Title: Gifts of Grace

Scripture Reading: John 14:16; 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; Ephesians 4:7; 1 Peter 4:10-11

Sermon Focus: What are spiritual gifts and why does God give them? The New Testament teachers that spiritual gifts are not rewards for spiritual maturity, but gifts of God's grace given to every believer through the Holy Spirit. Every disciple has a role in Christ's Body, and every gift matters. In the first message of our series, Pastor David lays the biblical foundation for understanding spiritual gifts as expressions of God's generosity, intended for edifying the church and furthering God’s gospel mission.

Thank you for going deeper in conversation with your small group. Use the following questions to help guide your small group discussion: 

  1. According to Jesus in John 14:16, the Lord promised that he would give the Holy Spirit to guide and empower his disciples as we carry out his gospel mission. Then we read in Acts 2 that the Holy Spirit was given at Pentecost. And according to the rest of the New Testament, the Spirit gives each person a “spiritual gift” to help build up the church and further the Kingdom. Did you grow up in the church? If so, what were you taught about spiritual gifts from the tradition you were raised in?

  2. Pastor David gave the following definition of “spiritual gift” in his message: “A spiritual gift is when the Holy Spirit manifests his presence and imparts his power into and through individual believers to enable them to exceed the limitations of their finite humanity so that they might faithfully and effectively fulfill certain ministry tasks for the building up of the body of Christ.” – Sam Storms. Do you truly believe that Jesus has uniquely gifted you, or have you assumed that gifts are for "more spiritual" Christians? How have you seen Jesus gift you and others around you with gifts to build up the church?

  3. Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 aloud in your group. Paul teaches that spiritual gifts are gifts of God's grace, not rewards for spiritual maturity. Also, all gifts matter, not just the leadership gifts. How does this truth change the way you think about your own gifts or the gifts of others? How have you experienced the truth of this in your life?

  4. Paul says that the Spirit gives each believer a gift "for the common good." Why do you think it's tempting to value certain gifts more than others? How can our church better celebrate and encourage every gift that God has given us? Be honest. Are there certain personalities and spiritual gifts that you struggle with accepting? What is God saying to you about these people and their spiritual gifts?

  5. LIFE ON MISSION QUESTION – Peter writes, "Use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace" (1 Peter 4:10). What's one practical step you could take this week to discover, develop, or use your spiritual gifts to build up the Body of Christ? How is God speaking to you through the first message in our series? What will you do this week to put it into practice?