October 18, 2010
Sandbags + Sandwiches Week 4
Posted by Michael
Learn:
Romans 12:1-8
1Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. 3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. 7If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; 8if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Main Idea:
In this passage, Paul reminds us that if you think more highly of yourself than you ought, it will be impossible to serve others as you ought. Pride destroys community and prevents you from using your gifts to help others. Being envious of other people’s gifts is also a surefire way to destroy community. Wishing you had different gifts is a waste of energy. The best way to humble yourself is to actually use your God-given gifts, not simply talk about them. When you use the gifts God has given you, you are reminded of how much you need God’s grace to use them well. Some people in the church believe they are not needed. They think what they have to offer their community is small compared to what other people have to offer. That is a lie from satan himself. Only when every single person says “Yes” to the calling of God will a community really flourish.
Know What: God has given us all spiritual gifts, and he does so because it is His plan for the church.
So What: When each member of a community discovers and uses their spiritual gifts, unity, beauty, joy, and energy emerge.
Now What: Use your God-given gifts to serve others, but be careful not to allow pride to creep in.
Discuss…
1. What are some of your God-given gifts? If you aren’t sure, perhaps you can use this time to ask the people in your group what they think your gifts are.
2. Have you ever felt like your gifts aren’t as important as other people’s gifts? Have you ever felt like they were more important? What is the danger in both of these extremes?
3. When you are using your gifts, are you aware at how dependent on God you are for using them to their fullest potential?
4. All of us struggle with some degree of pride. What are some minor ways pride comes out in your life (working out in front of mirrors, being preoccupied with your appearance, etc)? How can you keep these “laughable” things in check so that they are not things you eventually grow defensive and overtly serious about?
5. Have you ever wished you had a different part to play in God’s plan? If so, why do you wish you had a different gift rather than the one God gave you? Do you agree that focusing on what you can’t do is wasted energy?
6. Are you currently using your God-given gifts to serve others? If not, what is holding you back? If you are, how can you keep focused on using your gifts to be helpful, not important?
Pray…
If you don’t already know what your spiritual gifts are, spend some time this week asking people who love you and love Jesus for their opinion. Thank God for the gifts He’s given you, and ask Him to show you how to use them to serve others. As you use them, pray for the grace to optimize them to the zenith of their potential.
