Gifts
1 Corinthians 12:1-31

I. Intro 
Big Idea: We demonstrate Christ’s love by using our gifts in unity.

II. The Difference  
A. God’s Spirit makes a difference. 1 Corinthians 12:1-3
B. God’s Spirit creates a diverse unity. 1 Corinthians 12:4

III. Manifest
A. God gives gifts to benefit others for His glory. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11; 14:25, 40
B. Our worth is found in honoring Christ’s body. Romans 12:10; 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

IV. Belong
A. Every believer has a gift. 1 Corinthians 12:15-20
B. Everyone’s gift matters. 1 Corinthians 12:21-26

V. Excellence
A. Consider what moves you. 1 Corinthians 12:27
B. Think about your role. 1 Corinthians 12:28
C. Ask the community. 1 Corinthians 12:29-31
 
 Things to Consider

• What’s something from 1 Corinthians 12:1-31 you found challenging or encouraging? Why do you think God makes the church so diverse in its gifts? 
• What’s the difference between spiritual gifts and human aptitude? In what ways can they overlap? What’s a burden you have for others? 
• Do you see yourself as more of a teacher/leader, a counselor/helper, or an administrator? How have people encouraged you in your gift(s)? 
• Who’s someone you can support or encourage to use his or her gift? 

Resurrection
1 Corinthians 15:1-11

I. Intro
Big Idea: The resurrection proves God loves us. 1 John 4:8

II. To Remind
A. We get love wrong. 1 Corinthians 15:1
B. God’s love saves. 1 Corinthians 15:2

III. First Importance
A. God’s love was planned. Psalm 22:14-16; Isaiah 53:3-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3
B. God’s love changes everything. Psalm 16:9-11; Matthew 12:40; 1 Corinthians 15:4

IV. He Appeared
A. God’s love was witnessed. Mark 3:21; John 19:34; 1 Corinthians 15:5-7
B. God’s love is underserved. 1 Corinthians 15:8-9
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V. Grace
A. God’s love moves us. 1 Corinthians 15:10; 1 John 4:19.
B. God’s love must be trusted. 1 Corinthians 15:11

The Next Step Life Group Follow-Up

• What were the lows and highs of your Easter celebration?
• If you were telling a friend, who didn’t know anything about Christianity, why the resurrection is important what would you tell him or her?
• What’s a reason to believe in the resurrection that you find compelling?
• Why, in 1 Corinthians 15:8, did Paul described himself as one “abnormally born”?
• How has God’s grace inspired you to persevere in faith lately?

Christ-Centered 
1 Corinthians 1:18-31

• Big Idea
  • Being Christ-centered means we find our righteousness and wisdom in Him.
• Frustrated                                                                                                                                             
  • Are we willing to become really messy? Proverbs 14:4; 1 Peter 2:9
  •  Healthy order occurs by focusing on the primary message of the church. Isaiah 29:14; 1 Corinthians 1:18-19
• Foolish                                                                                                                                               
  • There's nothing a "wise person" can teach us that compares to what Christ has done for us on the cross!  1 Corinthians 1:20, 25          
  • We can end up a long ways away from the Shepherd. Isaiah 53:6; Matthew 12:39-40; Romans 1:18-20; 1 Corinthians 1:20-21; Philippians 4:12
• Called                                                                                                                                    
  • The power of God draws us, and the wisdom of God leads us! 1 Corinthians 1:23-24; Galatians 2:20
  • The weakness of God confronts the insanity of our rebellion against Him. 1 Corinthians 1:25; 1 John 4:18
• Think Of…                                                                                                                             
  • Christ frees us from fear so that we can love. 1 Corinthians 1:26-28                                                                                                         
  • Let's be show offs of Jesus. Jeremiah 9:24; Acts 2:42-47; 1 Corinthians 1:28-31

The Foolishness of God
1 Corinthians 1:18-25

• Big Idea
  • Our wisdom only takes us so far, but by God's foolishness we are saved. Genesis 1:1; 3:1-24; 12:1-3; 1 Corinthians 15:6; Hebrews 10:14
• Our Foolishness                                                                                                                                      
  • The message of the cross isn't something we find immediately attractive or useful.                     1 Corinthians 1:18
  • We all have a sense of right and wrong – but we fail to be consistent even with our own personal codes. 1 Corinthians 1:19-20
• Our Wisdom                                                                                                                                    
  • People look for answers in different ways. Matthew 12:39-40; Mark 8:11; John 6:30
  • What can a guy dying on a cross teach us about life? 1 Corinthians 1:23
• God's Wisdom                                                                                                                                
  • Coming to understand God's wisdom is something that happens to us. 1 Corinthians 1:24
  • God loves us. 1 Corinthians 1:21
• God's Foolishness                                                                                                                         
  • Receive God's grace. 1 Corinthians 1:25  

Be a bold fool. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 ​