8-9-2026: Equipping the Saints

8-9-2026: Equipping the Saints

Sermon title: Equipping the Saints

Scripture reading: Ephesians 4:1-16

Sermon focus: After his resurrection and ascension, Christ gave gifts to his church in the form of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. These ministry gifts, often referred to as the five-fold ministry, are not titles of status but callings that equip God's people for works of service and help the church mature into the likeness of Christ. In the second message of our series, Pastor David explores these five gifts, how they function together, and what they might look like in the life of our congregation.

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

  1. Have someone in your group read Ephesians 4:1-16 aloud. In the first few chapters of Ephesians, Paul has been sharing about God’s eternal plan and purpose through the church of Jesus Christ. And now in chapter 4 he talks about the importance of unity, maturity, and growing up into Christ through the gifts that he gives to the church. Paul says that five specific gifts can help the church grow as we are all equipped for greater ministry. What is God saying to you through this passage?

  2. Think back to the summaries Pastor David gave us for each of the five callings and giftedness for ministry in Ephesians 4:11. We encourage you to go back and view the slides and reflect on each one more deeply. As you reflect on the “five-fold ministry” (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher), how have you seen these leadership gifts used to grow and equip the saints, including yourself?

  3. Who are the apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers at Grantham? Do certain people come to mind? Are there ministry gifts that we appear to be lacking in our congregation that God is inviting us to recognize and cultivate? For example, what happens when we are lacking “evangelists” in our church?

  4. Paul's vision is a church where every believer is equipped, serving, and growing into the likeness of Christ (Ephesians 4:13–16). As you think about Grantham Church, what are some ways we can better encourage, equip, and release people to use their gifts in ministry? How can your small group be part of that vision?

  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?