By Ruth Dusingize 
HIGHLIGHT: Knowing that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, as believing Christians, there is a spiritual gift imparted in each of us and we are to be united in Christ. This week, we see how we ought to work together, driven by love in order to grow into the full stature of Christlikeness desired of us as Apostle Paul highlights in Ephesians 4:13.
Memory Text: 1 Corinthians 14:1 NKJV
“Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.”
SABBATH; INTRODUCTION
The church is one body with many members, each entrusted with different gifts, roles, and responsibilities. In this program, we explore Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 12–14, where he addresses disorder in worship and reveals God’s design for spiritual gifts.
These gifts were never meant to create competition or confusion, but to build up the body of Christ and reflect the unity of the triune God. As Paul shows, true harmony in the church comes when diversity is guided by love and every gift is used in submission to Christ and the Spirit.
SUNDAY; VARIETIES OF GIFTS
Despite the penalty that awaited one who confessed Lordship belonging to Jesus Christ and not Caeser in the early church era, the first step prior to the introduction of spiritual gifts granted by the Holy Spirit is the bold confession that Jesus is Lord.
Each Christian has a spiritual gift and in as much as not all spiritual gifts are the same, none is more important than the other. Similar to the God-Head, they all keep their individuality as Father, Son and the Holy Spirit, however, they work together in unity.
The same unity is expected of us as we work about with our spiritual gifts in carrying out our mission of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
(READ 1Corinthians 12:1-11; Acts 17:7; John 19:12&15; Ephesians 4:8-11)
MONDAY; UNITY THROUGH DIVERSITY
Through baptism, we are are joined to the body of Jesus Christ as members, with Jesus as the Head(Ephesians 1:22&23).
And just as every body part is equally important yet carries out a different function, so are we gifted differently and yet are to work together and in so doing, this unity reflects the character of God in our lives.
In addition, unity as a church is achieved when every individual is personally united with Christ and the bond of unity among brethren established from this, is testimony enough to the world that Christ truly holds to power to deliver us from sin.
(READ 1Corinthians 12:8-10,12-31; Ephesians 4:11-13; Romans 12:6-8)
TUESDAY; “A MORE EXCELLENT WAY”
Love is not one gift among many. It is the means through which all of the gifts reach their ultimate purpose.
Paul reminds us that it is useless to exercise the use of their God-given spiritual gifts with love absent in their hearts. In addition, love with which one ought to exercise one’s spiritual gift is not a feeling, but rather a principle that is practised.
Therefore, it is only through love that the spiritual gifts achieve the mission of winning souls to Jesus Christ.
(READ 1Corinthians 12:8-10,28 13:1-7,13; 1Peter 4:8-11)
WEDNESDAY; THE GIFT OF TONGUES
During the early church, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples on the day of Pentecost and people all over Judea and Samaria gathered because of the testimony that each of them was able to hear in his or her own language.
To avoid disorder in the Corinthian church, Paul told the church that the gift of tongues was only after baptism of the Holy Spirit and was recognised when interpretation followed the same.
Furthermore, this gift further helps in edification of the church at large since many believers clearly understand the core message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ shared according to their understanding.
(READ Mark 16:17; Acts 2:1-13; 10:44-48; 14:23,27,33,40; 19:6; 1Corinthians 12:10,30; 14:54-6,13,26&27)
THURSDAY; THE GIFT OF PROPHECY
This gift looks beyond mere foretelling of future events revealed by the Holy Spirit. It provides clearer understanding of God’s word and it has the ability to comfort the hearts of believers since solace is found in the unchanging character of God.
Following the facts that a prophet should prophesy only that which is true, speak in agreement to the previous prophets in light of God’s word, demonstrate a life fully committed to God which is seen through their fruits, Ellen White is the prophetess through whom God revealed more light of His word as she explained the testimony of Jesus Christ which is the Spirit of Prophecy highlighted in Revelation 19:10.
(READ Ephesians 4:11-13; 1Corithians 12:10,28; 13:8 14:3&4, Revelation 12:17)
FRIDAY; FURTHER THOUGHT
Let no man despise the supposed lesser gifts. Let all go to work. Let no one fold his hands in unbelief because he thinks that he can do no mighty work.
Cease looking at self. Look to your Leader. In meekness, sincerity, and love do what you can.
(READ The Upward look p.141; The Advent Review and Sabbath Herald April 12,1906; “Spiritual gifts” pp.5-16 in Spiritual Gifts, Volume 1 by Ellen G White)
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS;
- Notice again Paul’s emphasis on unity. Why is this so important to the church?
- See the list of gifts 12:8-10,28 and Romans 12:6-8, together with Ephesians 4:11, what is your gift and how can you use it to edify the body of Christ? Which gift would you like to have, and why?
- Why is love so central in our faith? What better way to experience the reality of God’s love than by prayerfully seeking to reflect that love to others?
- Think of three to five people who genuinely love you. How do you know their love for you is true? What does this tell you about why Paul spoke so much about love in his discussion on spiritual gifts?
Shalom Insights 
Edwin Kyle Kule