Homework for April 2- Due April 9

ARE YOU GIFTED?

(Home work assignment)

INSTRUCTIONS: This lesson centers on the three chapters in 1 Corinthians: 12, 13, and 14. Whereas, last Sundays lesson asked that you answer who wrote the letter, to whom was it written, why was it written, and when was it written, you should be able to discuss these chapters in depth. Be prepared to answer the following questions which were common of the church at Corinth:

All kinds of questions were being bantered about by the Corinthian church at the time of the writing:

Þ Which gifts were essential?

Þ Which gifts were the most valid and true?

Þ Which gifts were the most important?

Þ Which gifts were the most useful and needful?

Þ Which gifts were to have precedence?

Þ Which gifts were to be desired and coveted?

Þ Which gifts were the most honorable?

Þ Which gifts were more acceptable?

Also, be prepared to answer the following as it applies to you in the 21st-century:

• What does it mean to be gifted by the Holy Spirit?
• How would you know if a gift of the Spirit works through you now?
• Should you seek God that you be gifted by the Spirit?
• If you should decide not to be gifted does your decision not to be change the fact that you are or should be gifted?
• Why do you feel you should or should not find out whether you are gifted and what that gift(s) is? How do you go about finding out?
• If you believe you are gifted to what extent do you control that gift?
• Is there a difference between natural abilities and spiritual giftedness?
• If there is a difference or not (see above), how do you support your belief?
• Why are spiritual gifts necessary?
• What is the greatest gift?...the least in importance?

During this week of study and preparation, ask God to speak to your heart about the above questions. Permit yourself the time and silence in which to ponder these verses. Ask God to help you make application of these truths to your life.

You may want to seek out Dixie Weyel this week and go through her class on discovering your spiritual gifts. Dixie will be more than happy to assist you. You may reach her at church or by calling her at home: (916) 783-3517.

NOTE: Be prepared to participate in a class exercise that will demonstrate the operation of the Holy Spirit in relationship to the functioning of spiritual gifts.

If you have any questions concerning this home work assignment you may contact me at lelandh@surewest.net or (916) 482-5523.

Lee

Body Life- April 2 Class Notes

Here are the notes for April 2's lesson. For a copy of the Word document, see the moreabundantlife.us files section

WHAT ARE YOU HERE FOR?

SCRIPTURE REFERENCE: 1 Corinthians 12:12-27

I. INTRODUCTION: Meet Mr. Jones. The most precise facilitator of learning in the 21^st-century!

Why does Paul use the human body to make his point in this passage? What is he attempting to

do?

II. THE BODY: CHRIST (vs. 12-13)

• How is Christ like the human body (v 12)?
• What is Paul's point?
• What is the significance of being baptized into one body (v 13) ?
• How many parts are in the human body?

III. THE UNIMPORTANT PART OF THE BODY (vs. 14-20)

• What part of your human body can you do without?
• What is the most unimportant part of your body?
• Do you feel unimportant in the church? How do you feel? Explain.
• What is Paul saying about each member?

IV. THE MORE GIFTED: MOST IMPORTANT? (vs. 21-23)

• How does Paul handle those who might feel they are more important are just as needed as those who might feel they are of no value?

V. THE MAKE UP OF THE BODY, THE CHURCH (vs. 24-26)

• What do you do when your feet hurt (v 24)?
• Name the eleventh commandment that agrees with verse 25.
• If you have the flu and your nose is congested, how does the rest of your body feel (v 26)?

VI. THE MAIN POINT OF THE LESSON (v. 18)

"But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired."

Fill in the blanks with your name: "But now God has placed ___________ ... in the body, just as He desired."

• Where has God placed you to function in Arcade?
• Doesn't this smack of "works"? How do we rationalize "works" with "assurance of salvation"?
• Just because you have failed to find where God has placed you in Arcade does that excuse you from your responsibility to Christ?
• How does one go about finding out where God wants them to function?
• How far are you willing to go to remain comfortable as a member of Arcade?

VII. CLOSING REMARKS AND PRAYER

Arcade Women Alive: An Invitation...

Dear Abundant Life Ladies:

I've been asked to tell you about the Women ALIVE Training for encouragers, facilitators or someone in need of encouragement.

The training session will give you a chance to experience the dynamics of being in a care group and receiving prayer and one-on-one encouragement in a safe, nurturing and confidential setting. We will be discussing the book, "Treasures of Encouragement" and learning how to apply these Biblical principals to our lives.

This would be a great time for you to come and find out what is involved in the Women ALIVE ministry, ask questions and connect with other women all the while experiencing the benefits and blessings of Biblical encouragement.

There are NO STRINGS attached. That is to say, going through the training does not require or imply that you are committing to serve. This is an open session. The only request is that those who decide to participate would pray about how the Lord would desire to sue them in this ministry. The need is great for women to serve as encouragers and/or facilitators.

You can e-mail Rissa Scott at mamaduckof4@hotmail.com or call her at 383-2213.

Date and Time: MONDAY, APRIL 27TH

7:00 PM

(Not sure of room #)

As we get older, we are becoming the sage elders of the church (ouch!). God needs us now more than ever before.

In Christ, Gina Hofen

Questions Skeptics Ask: Why is there evil and suffering?

Written by Rusty Wright

Sigmund Freud called religion an illusion humans invent to satisfy their security needs. To him, a benevolent, all-powerful God seemed incongruent with natural disasters and human evil.

God, though sovereign, gave us freedom to follow Him or to disobey Him. This response does not answer all concerns (because He sometimes does intervene to thwart evil) but suggests that the problem of evil is not as great an intellectual obstacle to belief as some imagine.

Pain’s emotional barrier to belief, however, remains formidable. Jesus understands suffering. He was scorned, beaten, and cruelly executed, carrying the guilt of our rebellion against God (Isa. 53:10).

When I see God, items on my long list of questions for Him will include a painful and unwanted divorce, betrayal by trusted coworkers, and all sorts of disappointing human behavior and natural disasters. Yet in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection I have seen enough to trust Him when He says He "causes all things to work together for good to those who love God" (Rom. 8:28).

Be Sure to Check out Abundant Life - Prayer page at the right sidebar.

Key Verses in Matthew. "Let us see Jesus"

Click on Matthew 2:1-3 . How do you see Jesus? Why is this a Key verse to Matthew?

Keys Verses in Hebrews - "Let us see Jesus"

Click here for Key Verses in http://members.datafast.net.au/sggram/f309.htm
. Why are these verses key to Hebrews? Hebrews 1:1-4; 2:1-3; 3:1-3. Note 7:25.