Evangelism is most effective when the truth is proclaimed in love. This is accomplished by the mature believer who is thoroughly equipped in sound doctrine. Without maturity, the truth can be cold and love little more than sentimentality. Our words should be honest, and our actions should reflect Christ’s integrity. Speaking the truth in love is not always easy, convenient, or pleasant, but it is necessary if the Church is going to do Christ’s work in the world.


Questions for further thought:
1. Would I consider myself to be more of a truth person or a grace person? How would I define the difference?

2. Who could I ask to support or refute my answer to #1?   


​Challenge: Commit to speaking the truth but doing it lovingly.

Equip refers to restoring something to its original condition, or its being made fit or complete. God has given the Church an amazing responsibility of making disciples in every nation. This involves preaching, teaching, healing, nurturing, giving, administering, building, and many other tasks. Some of us can do one task, some can do another. As believers, we have been equipped to obey God and use this giftedness to give Him glory. Therefore, working together, the Church can express the fullness of Christ through faithful service!  


Questions for further thought:
1. In what ways could I see myself serving in the body of Christ? How will I pursue this?

2. How do you see yourself serving today? In 5 years? In 10 years?


​Challenge: Consider what the Lord has equipped you to do in the body of Christ and look for opportunities that may have been presented at the Ministry Fair on Sunday.

Our openness in Christ doesn’t destroy our individuality. The Holy Spirit has given each Christian special gifts for the building up of the Church. As believers in Jesus Christ and now possessing these gifts, we are charged to use them. If you know what your gift is, look for opportunities to serve. If you don’t know, ask God to show you, and perhaps with help from this series of messages, you will discover it. 


Questions for further thought:
1. How have you shown yourself to be Spiritually mature by exercising the gift God has given you?

2. If you answered question #1 in the negative, how could you begin changing that today?


​Challenge: Find your gift, recognize your special area of service, and use your gift to strengthen and encourage the Church.

Grace is God’s gracious gift to us who believe and receive forgiveness of sin through faith in Jesus Christ. It is the single word definition of the Gospel, the good news of God’s offering salvation to sinful and broken mankind. God is the God of grace because He is a God who freely gives; His giving has nothing to do with anything we have done, but is unmerited, unearned, and undeserved. This grace also is demonstrated as each believer is given a unique Spiritual gift that God portions out according to His will and design. 


Questions for further thought:
1. How can I begin to discover what my Spiritual gift is? 

​2. When will I begin that process and start using my gift to glorify God and serve the Church? 


​Challenge: Don’t get so bogged down on taking Spiritual gift tests that you miss what God might be trying to show you through a nudge or idea planted.

If you are searching for what your spiritual gift may be, one way to do that is by serving in your church. Answer some of the needs of the church, such as nursery workers, greeters, coffee server, Sunday school leaders, etc. As you step out in obedience with a servant’s heart, the Holy Spirit will show you the areas He has gifted you. 


Questions for further thought:
1. What areas have you helped with serving in your church? 

2. What positive feedback have you received when you met the needs of the church?


​Challenge: This week sign up to help in an area that has needs in your church, even if it is out of your comfort zone. 

Throughout the New Testament God is quite clear that we all have a spiritual gift. Some were supernatural for that time, while others like prayer or encouragement are more subtle. Yet, we can be sure that God has given us exactly the gift we were meant for.  


Questions for further thought:
1. What are some things you can do even if you may not know your exact spiritual gift?

2. What can you do if you don’t believe your gifts are helpful? 


​Challenge: Be in prayer this week specifically for God to reveal what your gifts are. 

How much easier is it to see other people’s spiritual gifts but not even realize what our own gifts are! We then fixate on what gifts we don’t have and wish we could be like those we admire, losing sight of trying to cultivate and grow our own gifts and strengths. We need to remember that our light (or gifts) won’t shine unless we turn them on! We have everything we need to be used by God, that is why not one of us are made alike! 


Questions for further thought:
1. What opportunity do you have right now to use your gift/gifts? 

2. Have you ever been envious of another’s gifts? 


​Challenge: Think of a possible way to collaborate a gift you are envious of with your own special gifts! The results could surprise you! 

The scripture reading for today is clear. Every person in the body of Christ is important. No body part tells another that it’s not as important. We recognize then, that as believers we all have a responsibility to use our spiritual gifts for the good of others, building up the body of Christ. 


Questions for further thought:
1. What are your gifts? 

​2. How are you using them to further build up the body of Christ?


Challenge: Think of a unique way you can use your gift to build up the body of Christ. 

Sometimes we can overuse and even misuse the word Blessed.  Your kid made the honor roll, #blessed. You lost 10lbs, #blessed. You got the closest parking space at the store, #blessed. The bible actually shows that a blessing is anything God gives that makes us fully satisfied in Him and draws us closer. Sometimes the blessings God gives us are through struggles and disappointments, those are the things that bring us closer to Him. 


Questions for further thought:
1. How did the trials Job experienced produce blessing? 

2. Have you ever thought of your trials as being channels for blessings?  


​Challenge: Take this week to read the story of Job. 

This passage reminds us that God will walk with us always, even and especially in times of trouble.  We are not promised a life without trials or struggles, but we are assured He will carry us through the hard times and give us inexplainable strength to get through them and overcome them as well.


Questions for further thought:
1. Name a time of great struggle or heartbreak you have experienced.

2. How did God give you the strength to get through it?


​Challenge: When life gets hard and it seems like there is no hope, we need to turn to God the most.  We were not designed to live this life without God's strength and comfort when life gets too much for us to handle.  God does give us more than we can handle on our own, but nothing is too much for us to handle when He is carrying us and sustaining us.