Spiritual Gifts SS1 Christian Religious Studies (CRS) Lesson Note

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT GAL. 5:22- 25

The fruit of the spirit is what distinguishes a Christian from a non-Christian. The fruit of the spirit could be referred to as a summary of the Ten Commandments.

Every believer is expected to manifest such conduct as Love, Joy, peace, long-suffering gentleness, and goodness with meekness and temperance.

HOW TO BEAR THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

The following are steps to bearing the fruit of the spirit.

1. Repentance of Sin
2. Salvation through faith in Jesus Christ
3. Baptism in the name of Jesus
4. Gift of the Holy Spirit
5. Abiding in Jesus Christ

Have you ever received a gift from a loved one? How do you feel when you receive a gift you were expectant of? Do you know God also gives gifts?

Today’s study is on the gift of the holy spirit also referred to as spiritual gifts. the Holy Spirit comes into the life of a believer after receiving the Lord Jesus as his lord and saviour. Different gifts can be provided to a believer by the Holy Spirit. Something from the Spirit can be seen in each person. The Spirit gives this to each one to help others.

There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but they are all from the same Spirit. A spiritual gift is to edify the body of Christ and also to serve others, especially in the household of faith. There are different ways to serve, but we serve the same Lord.

Notedly, there are different ways that God works in people, but it is the same God who works in all of us to do everything.

TYPES OF SPIRITUAL GIFT

There are nine gifts of the spirit as listed below:

1. The utterance of wisdom.
2. The utterance of knowledge
3. Faith
4. Gift of healing
5. Gift of working miracles
6. The gift of prophecy
7. The gift of distinguishing between spirits is also called discernment.
8. A gift to speak in tongues
9. The gift to interpret tongues.

As you can see, there are different kinds of gifts on this list. Apostle Paul related this gift to the human body with different parts playing different functions and important roles for the overall good of the entire body. The same is true with Jesus Christ; making access into the body of Christ by one Spirit, the Holy Spirit.

We can learn from the letter of Paul that all the nine gifts of the spirit are very important. In his example, he stated that God has arranged the different parts of the body to be mutually independent and necessary for the existence of the entire body while some parts may seem to be weak they are indispensable. The parts which we consider less honourable are vested with greater honour, the unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty which other presentable parts do not require. Every part of the body is interconnected.

The same is true for the body of Christ. the body was created by God for unity and not discord, for connection and not competition. 

Every part of the body was strategically placed. In the body of Christ, God appointed apostles, prophets, teachers, workers of miracles, helpers, administrators and speakers in various kinds of things. They must all use their gift for the glory of God and the church’s growth.

A spiritual gift is meant for the good of the entire church community, they are to promote good relationships among Christians in the community of faith. Spiritual gifts should make the church united and not divide the church. As such, unity is key. Above all spiritual gifts are given to the church to glorify the name of God therefore no one should be pompous in the use of his or her gift.

Lessons from Paul’s teaching on spiritual gifts

1. We must say no to discrimination in the church

2. We must avoid all forms of pride or placing a gift above other gifts.

3. There may be diversity. However, there must be unity in our diversity.

4. Racial discrimination must be shunned.

ASSIGNMENT

1. From Paul’s list of nine spiritual gifts, name six that are manifested in the church today. Indicate how any three of them are seen in action (June 1992 SSCE)

2. Explain what Paul called spiritual gifts in 1 Corinthians and liken them to the human body. what is the significance of the station to the church? (SSCE, June 1995)