THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS
It doesn’t matter the stage of life—every woman wants to feel valued and supported. Our Ada Bible Women’s Ministry THRIVE is a safe space to get to know other women + grow in your faith. Join us for THRIVE PREVIEW Monday, August 29, at 7 pm at the East Paris Campus to connect with other women and discover our small groups and events starting in the fall. Register at adabible.org/thrivepreview.
GROUP VALUES
This month we look at the group value of Relational Investments. This is all about sharing the love of Jesus with those we have a relationship with. As a group, share one person you each want to invite to church this fall and then begin praying for those people.
GROW AS A LEADER
Have you joined our Small Groups Leaders Facebook Page? This group is a great place to connect with leaders from other campuses, ask questions and learn together. Join us at facebook.com/groups/adasmallgroupleaders.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Welcome to the second week of our series THE CHURCH. This week, the Apostle Paul writes to the Corinthian church about what it means for the church to be a body.
What is your favorite back-to-school memory?
Have someone read 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. What words or phrases stand out to you in this passage?
SPIRITUAL GIFTS
The Apostle Paul writes 1 Corinthians to a church in crisis and deeply affected by division. How might they have felt when they read Paul’s description of the church as a body?
The people of Corinth assigned status to each other based on things like wealth, birthplace and family origins. What are some things our culture uses to assess status in people?
The Holy Spirit gives each believer spiritual gifts so that the whole body can receive encouragement, comfort, challenge, healing and direction. How does knowing this deepen your awe and love for God?
OVERCOMING INFERIORITY
Among Jesus-followers, it can be easy to see the extraordinarily gifted and think we don’t belong or aren’t needed. Why do you think it is easy to focus on the extraordinarily gifted or those who are most visible?
Has there been a time you felt inferior in your giftings or because of your background? Share that with your group as you feel comfortable.
Have someone read 1 Corinthians 12:11 aloud. What does this verse reveal about God’s role in the gifts believers have?
Paul uses tender language and repeats God’s role in distributing gifts three times. What does this tell you about God’s character and heart for all who follow Jesus?
Pastor Jeff Manion said when we are faithful in the ordinary, we can trust God to do the extraordinary. When have you seen someone be faithful in the ordinary and God work something extraordinary through them and their spiritual gifts?
A small group can be a place where we encourage and urge each other to use our gifts, regardless of whether we feel like our gifts are extraordinary or insignificant. We can help each other see that God has gifted us each uniquely. How can you encourage each other about the value you each bring to the body of Christ?
OVERCOMING SUPERIORITY
The Apostle Paul then turns the conversation to those who feel superior over others because of their background and abilities. Why do you think it is so easy to look down on others then and today?
Who in our culture tends to get looked down upon?
The church’s beauty is how God brings together people who wouldn’t usually have reason to associate with each other. Has there been a time when being part of the body of Christ brought someone into your life you wouldn’t have otherwise known? Share that experience with your group.
Paul reminds the Corinthians that the whole body hurts when one physical body part hurts. It should be the same with the church body. When have you seen the church body support each other well during suffering and struggle?
Pastor Jeff Manion challenged us to have shared joy or shared grief with someone we may struggle to value. Who is someone you can move toward in their joy or grief this week?
WRAP UP
Today we talked about the church as more than a building–one that is a body. What aspect of the sermon was most challenging for you? What do you believe God is calling you into as part of his body?