THE CHURCH – YOUR GIFTINGS

Lesson 5

1. When you came to Christ you were given a gift/s with which to function within the church.

Personal Do you know your gift/s? Are you developing them?

Personal Do you recognize other people’s gifts? Do you honor them?

2. According to 1 Peter 4:10-11. Why has each one received a gift? _______________________

1 Peter 4:10-11 (AMP) 10 As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God's many-sided grace [faithful stewards of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited favor]. 11 Whoever speaks, [let him do it as one who utters] oracles of God; whoever renders service, [let him do it] as with the strength which God furnishes abundantly, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ (the Messiah). To Him be the glory and dominion forever and ever (through endless ages). Amen (so be it).

3. The Greek for “gift” is charisma. From which we get the word “Charismatic”. The

“Charismatic Movement” is by definition “Movement in the Gifts”. There has been much

controversy over this, why do you suppose that is? ____________________________________

4. Gifts may be speaking, serving, teaching [see Eph. 4:11] or anything else i.e. leadership [not

on the list]. According to Eph. 4:12 what was God’s intention for these gifts? _______________

Ephesians 4:11 (AMP) 11 And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers.

Ephesians 4:12 (AMP) 12 His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church).

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5. A) What does Paul urge the Thessalonians to do in 1 Thess. 5:12-13? ___________________

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (AMP) 12 Now also we beseech you, brethren, get to know those who labor among you [recognize them for what they are, acknowledge and appreciate and respect them all]—your leaders who are over you in the Lord and those who warn and kindly reprove and exhort you. 13 And hold them in very high and most affectionate esteem in [intelligent and sympathetic] appreciation of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.

B) Why do you think we need to be more sensitive to the charisma of our brothers and

sisters in the church and recognize their offices, functions, and places in the assembly. _______

C) Does our sensitivity and recognition of our brothers and sisters operating in their gifts

amount to submitting to their authority in Christ, as pertains to their operations in their

prescribed gifting? Y ___ N ___ they are only show-offs ___

D) Do you think spiritual authority can be imposed on someone, or can it only operate by

voluntary recognition? ___________________________________________________________

E) Must authority be submitted to? Y ___ N___

F) True or False Without submission, there is no spiritual authority. True False

6. True or False The work of those in spiritual authority [leadership] is to admonish the

believers, straighten them out, correct them, tell them when they are doing wrong. T F

7. Would it take a true friend to admonish and/or correct someone when they do wrong? Y N

8. Does this place a solemn responsibility upon the true friend? Y ___ N ___

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9. Personal In a court of law would you ever act casually and/or without discipline? Would

you show up on time? If you were to appear before a judge and jury, would you do so in baggy

shorts and a tee shirt or would you wish to appear at your best?

10. Personal How did you answer question 9? Do you think the same respect should be

shown within the church? Equal if not surpassed submission to the authority of the church to

the church? Proper reverence to the Godhead? Do you?

11. Why do you think we should give the assembly our very best in attitude and service? _____

12. The essential feature of the assembly is governmental authority. If we fail in those things

expressed in question 11, do you think there would be respect for the authority within the

church? Y ___ N ___

13. Why would we need respect for God’s order? _____________________________________

14. If we demonstrate laxity within ourselves for authority [of any kind] is that a demonstration

of our inability to govern ourselves [let alone others] and the beginning of anarchy? Y __ N __

15. Do you think we will ever be in a position to govern the world until we have learned to

govern ourselves? Y ___ N___

16. Will we ever be able to respect and submit to our brothers and sister’s gifts until we learn

to respect and govern ourselves? Y ___ N ___

17. Within the church, will we ever be effective in our world until we have this matter of

governmental authority in its proper place? Y ___ N ___

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18. God has destined us to govern ourselves and also to be the instruments of His government

in the earth. Personal Is this the position you desire to rise up to?

THE WORLD’S VIEW OF CHARISMA

Syllabus 5

From Psychology Today

What Is Charisma?

Charisma is the ability to attract, charm, and influence the people around you. Charisma is often said to be a mysterious ineffable quality—you either have it or don't have it—but it's actually easy to break down many of the key factors that make someone charismatic. Such factors include, but are not limited to: confidence, exuberance, optimism, a ready smile, expressive body language, and a friendly, passionate voice.

Personal Magnetism6 Surefire Ways to Increase Your CharismaIt's not about what's in you, but what you can offer others.By Emma M. Seppälä Ph.D.

The Infuriating Power of OverconfidenceResearch shows that confidence, even without results, can carry people far.By David DiSalvo

The X-Factors of SuccessThe personality traits that make some humans superhuman.By Carlin Flora

Satan has a counterfeit for everything that God created and called good. But, Satan is a liar

and the Father of lies. The world would portray charisma as something worthwhile in me that

attracts others. “You either have it or you don’t”. Factors of charisma “include, but are not

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limited to: confidence, exuberance, optimism, a ready smile, expressive body language, and a

friendly, passionate voice.” What a hum. I am reminded of the song of from The Platters –

Oh yes, I’m a great pretender. Lyrics

Yes, I'm the great pretender

Just laughin' and gay like a clown

I seem to be what I'm not, you see

I'm wearing my heart like a crown…

That is the problem with people. Like their father, the devil, they are not what they appear to

be – they are counterfeit. [Hypocrites].

God has given each of us [if we are in Christ] a gift [charisma]. In that respect, we are all

charismatics. We own a gift that is not a natural talent. It is a divine gift from God. When

something comes directly from the Hand of God, that something is worthy of respect. As we

saw in our lesson, it is an area of authority in which you thrive – only through the Power of The

Holy Spirit.

The church has need for you to function in your charisma. The world needs you to function

in your charisma. The only thing that holds us back is our willingness to lay all else aside and to

submit to the divine authority over us and in us.

Like we read in syllabus 4, it only comes with our identification with the Living God through

His Living Word and Prayer.

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