1 Corinthians 12: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 1 Corinthians 12 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Paul begins by urging the brothers not to be ignorant about spiritual things (vv. 1-3). He explains that there are various kinds of gifts, services, and workings, all coming from the same Spirit, Lord, and God (vv.

Key verse

“For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ.”
1 Corinthians 12:12 (WEB)

Outline

1 Corinthians 12:1–3 Introduction to Spiritual Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:4–11 Diversity of Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:12–14 The Body Analogy
1 Corinthians 12:15–20 Individual Roles in the Body
1 Corinthians 12:21–26 Mutual Care Among Members
1 Corinthians 12:27–31 Diversity in Service and Desire for Gifts

Discussion questions

In v4, what types of gifts are mentioned that come from the same Spirit?
In v14, why does Paul assert that the body is not one member but many?
The phrase 'to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit' in v7: what does this imply about individual roles in the church?
In v31, why does Paul mention to 'earnestly desire the best gifts'?
When have you felt unvalued in a community, similar to how 'those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary' (v22)?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 1 Corinthians 12: Romans 12, Ephesians 4, Galatians 3.

Before next time: read 1 Corinthians 13.