Community Group Discussion Guide: Proclamation of the Gospel
Note: Please let your group know that if they use this discussion guide, the guide itself is not meant to be a Bible lesson.  A Bible lesson would be more oriented towards teaching rather than discussion.  This guide simply lays out the primary verses used in a sermon and asks questions for the group to consider. 
 Icebreakers:

1. Are you concerned with the spiritual and moral decline that is happening in America today?  (What issue(s) do you find the most troubling?)
2. Do you think that the "church" in America has been compromised by the values projected by the world?  (Can you cite any examples?)
3. Most "church" people believe that the church needs to experience a revival; what do you think is necessary to ignite the flames of revival?

Digging Deeper: Let's consider the following passages of scripture:
Read: 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, [4] for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. [5] We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

1. Why does it seem as if we are fighting against flesh and blood?  (Refer to Eph. 6:11,12)
2. What would you consider to be a carnal weapon or a weapon of the flesh?  (Can you think of examples where the church has mistakenly fought fire with fire?)
   
3. What are some the powerful spiritual weapons in the arsenal of the church?
   

Read: Matthew 9:36-38 NASB95  Seeing the people, Jesus felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. [37] Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. [38] Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.” 

1. How would you describe the "harvest" in today's America?  (How about the harvest in today's world?)
2. Do you see the harvest as being plentiful?  (The "harvest" would include everyone who has yet to be brought into a place of faith in Jesus.  There are billions of people living on planet earth who would have to be considered a potential part of the harvest)
   
3. How could you personally be more effective as a laborer in the harvest? 

Romans 10:9-15 NASB95 [9] If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; [10] for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. [11] For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED .” [12] For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; [13] for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.” [14] How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? [15] How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!”
Paul asks four rhetorical questions:  (Let's take the time to answer them)

• How can people call upon Jesus if they have not believed in Jesus?
  
• How can people believe in Jesus if they have never heard of Him?
  
• How will people ever hear about Jesus unless someone proclaims the Christ message to them?
  
• How will God’s people ever proclaim the Christ message unless they are compelled to go?

Wrap-up: 1 Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.
Two suggestions on sharing the Gospel Message and becoming a worker who is bringing in the harvest:

• Demonstrate the Fruit of the Spirit in your relationships, so that you have influence.
• Be prepared to share your personal story of how you came to faith in Jesus.  

Community Group Discussion Guide: Introduction to Spiritual Gifts
Icebreakers:

1. Have you ever experienced a car breakdown while on a trip or vacation?  (What was broken and how did you get it fixed?)
2. If you had to choose between a car that was luxurious or dependable, which would your choose and why?
3. Do you keep the regular maintenance on your car up to date, or do you wait until a repair is required?

Digging Deeper: The average modern automobile has some 30,000 parts.  Most of the parts are essential to the whole.  Everything from the engine parts to the lug nuts are important.  All the auto parts come together to form a vehicle that carries a person or persons from place to place.  The Body of Christ is also composed of many different parts which come together to form the whole.  Every member is unique and important.

We are going to explore 1 Corinthians Chapter 12.  This is an important chapter where the Apostle Paul teaches the Corinthian Church about spiritual gifts.

Read verses 1-3: [1] Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware. [2] You know that when you were pagans, you were led astray to the mute idols, however you were led. [3] Therefore I make known to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus is accursed”; and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

• Why is ignorance not bliss when it comes to spiritual gifts?
• As Believers in Christ, we are being led by the Holy Spirit.  Contrast that with how pagans are being led; if you can even call it "being led."   What difference has the wisdom of God and the guidance of the Holy Spirit made in your life?
• One common characteristic of "all" cult groups is that they distort the person and ministry of Jesus.  Can you think of any examples?

Read verses 4-11: [4] Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. [5] And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. [6] There are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all persons. [7] But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. [8] For to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, and to another the word of knowledge according to the same Spirit; [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, and to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, [10] and to another the effecting of miracles, and to another prophecy, and to another the distinguishing of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, and to another the interpretation of tongues. [11] But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills.

• How would you explain the difference between spiritual gifts and what Paul calls, "varieties of ministries?"
• What would be an example of a spiritual gift working in the church for the "common good?" 
• Why do you think that Paul refers to the spiritual gifts as a "manifestation of the Spirit" in verse 7?

Read verses 12-31: [12] For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. [13] For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. [14] For the body is not one member, but many. [15] If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. [16] And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? [18] But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. [19] If they were all one member, where would the body be? [20] But now there are many members, but one body. [21] And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” [22] On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; [23] and those members of the body which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our less presentable members become much more presentable, [24] whereas our more presentable members have no need of it. But God has so composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that member which lacked, [25] so that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. [26] And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. [27] Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. [28] And God has appointed in the church, first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, various kinds of tongues. [29] All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they? All are not workers of miracles, are they? [30] All do not have gifts of healings, do they? All do not speak with tongues, do they? All do not interpret, do they? [31] But earnestly desire the greater gifts. And I show you a still more excellent way.

• Do you consider yourself to be an essential member within the Body of Christ?  (Why or why not?)
• How does humility help "us" maintain unity?
• Do you have a clear understanding of both your ministry and possible spiritual gift?
• Why is the "way of love" considered the more excellent way?

Wrap-up: One of the challenges that spiritual gifts "can" pose to the Body of Christ, is that they can lead to expressions of spiritual pride or posturing.  This is one of the reasons that Paul wrote the Book of 1 Corinthians.  Paul started the letter to the Corinthian Church by pointing out that "not many" of us are noble, wise or mighty.  That is our weakness, God is made strong.  Finally, if we are to boast, may we boast in the Lord!