Better Because He Works Through Us, Part 2
RLC Home Group Handout | February 22nd, 2026
“Better Because He Works Through Us Part 2” | 1 Corinthians 12-13
Recap
This week we were reminded that ignorance about spiritual gifts is not a minor issue but something that deeply impacts our lives and our church. As we studied 1 Corinthians 12–13, we saw that every believer has been given at least one Spirit-empowered gift—not as a personal trophy, but as a communal tool for the building up of the body of Christ. At the heart of the message was this thesis: “Ignorance about spiritual gifts matters because God’s gifts are how He gives you daily purpose, meets the needs of others, and deepens our shared intimacy with Jesus.” We were encouraged to know our gift, grow in our gift, and give our gift away, remembering that our gifts must always be exercised through love so that they glorify Christ and allow others to experience His care through us.
References
John 16:14 – The Holy Spirit glorifies Jesus by revealing Him to us.
2 Timothy 1:6 – Fan into flame the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 14:32 – Spiritual gifts operate under the believer’s self-control.
Discussion Questions
Head
Is there anything that stood out or spoke to you in this week’s sermon?
What questions or confusion do you have about the gifts of the Spirit?
What is the difference between natural talent and Spirit-given gifting?
Why is it essential that spiritual gifts always operate through love (1 Cor. 13)?
Heart
Have you learned anything new about your spiritual gifts through this series?
Do you currently see your spiritual gifts as a burden, a badge, or a joy? Why?
Where have you experienced someone else’s gift and felt like you encountered Jesus through it?
How can knowing that your gift gives daily purpose change how you wake up each morning?
Where have you felt discouraged in using your gifts?
Hands
If you don’t know your gifts yet, where can you start serving immediately?
If you do know your gifts, what are some ways that God could use you in your gifting in your day to day life? In the life of the church?
What would “fanning into flame” your gift look like this month?
How can our Home Group better facilitate or give opportunity for the use of our gifts?
Click here to take a spiritual gifts assessment.
Understanding the Spiritual Gifts
The gifts of the Spirit are given to believers for the glory of Christ and the edification of the church. Scripture lists various spiritual gifts in Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30; and Ephesians 4:11. As evidenced by the fact that these lists have overlap but also have differences we can conclude that the listed gifts in Scripture are not intended to be exhaustive. There are many other ways the Spirit of God can equip and empower you to serve his church and bring him glory. Below are brief explanations of the Biblically listed spiritual gifts.
Prophecy – the ability to receive and proclaim a word from God to challenge, exhort, or encourage the people of God. This gift is often exercised in the exposition of the Bible, and at all times must be submitted to the authority of Scripture.
Teaching – the ability to clearly exposit and effectively communicate the application of the truths of God’s word to other believers. This gift can be exercised in many contexts, from pulpit ministry to one on one discipleship and anywhere in between.
Leadership – the ability to discern God’s purpose for a group, set and communicate appropriate goals, and motivate others to work together to fulfill them in service to God.
Wisdom – the ability to apply the principles of the Word of God in a practical way to specific situations and to recommend the best course of action at the best time.
Knowledge – the ability to know and communicate a truth about something or at times someone through revelation of the Holy Spirit. This gift must always be used with humility, submitted to Scripture, acknowledging the possibility for human error. Another understanding of this gift is the ability to learn, know, and explain the truths of God’s Word.
Evangelism – the ability to be an unusually effective instrument in leading unbelievers to a saving knowledge of Christ.
Pastor – the ability to personally lead, nourish, protect, and care for the needs of a flock of believers.
Service – the ability to identify and care for the practical needs of the Body through a variety of means.
Giving – the ability to contribute material resources with generosity and cheerfulness for the benefit of others and the glory of God. Note: that ability & desire, is not limited by the amount of resources they may or may not have.
Mercy – the ability to deeply empathize and engage in compassionate acts on behalf of people who are suffering physical, mental, or emotional distress.
Faith – the ability to have a vision for what God wants to be done and to confidently believe that it will be accomplished in spite of circumstances and appearances to the contrary.
Distinguishing of Spirits – the ability to clearly discern the unseen spiritual reality or dynamics at play in a situation or a person's life and/or the ability to clearly distinguish between the truth of the Word and deceptive or false doctrines.
Helps – the ability to enhance the effectiveness of the ministry of other members of the Body.
Administration – the ability to organize, coordinate and execute plans to accomplish the God given vision and goals of the church..
Apostleship – the ability to be sent by the local church to pioneer in church planting or building up the church far and wide, often in cross cultural contexts. Note: the office of Apostle in the New Testament was reserved for those who had seen the resurrected Jesus and is different from the spiritual gift of apostleship.
Exhortation – the ability to come alongside someone with words of encouragement, comfort, consolation, and counsel to help them mature in Christ.
Miracles – the ability to serve as an instrument through whom God accomplishes acts that manifest supernatural power.
Healings – the ability to serve as a human instrument through whom God supernaturally cures illness and restores health. Or someone in a moment, receiving a healing personally from God.
Tongues – the ability to pray, worship, and/or glorify God in a language the recipient has never learned. This gift’s primary use is in private worship and prayer, but can be used in a public gathering when there is an interpretation, see 1 Corinthians 14.
Interpretation of Tongues – the ability to translate into the vernacular a message publicly uttered in a tongue.