Use Me God: Finding Your Spiritual Gifts Week 5

I apologize for the delay in getting Week 5 of our study posted. This past Sunday (6/28) we spent some time discussing the issues of comparison, envy and pride. Along with these topics we took a look at: Romans 13:13, James 3:13-16, 1 Corinthians 12:12-26 and Luke 18:9-14. I would encourage you to spend some time with these passages and their questions.

Romans 13:13
1. Notice the list of things Paul includes envy (jealousy) in with.
2. What does that tell us about the seriousness of envy?

James 3:13-16
1. Where does James say envy comes from and leads to?
2. Could this explain the dire warnings to avoid envy and pride?

1 Corinthians 12:12-26
1. Sometimes comparison leads us to devalue the gifts of others. So, what is the difference between admiring someone and envying them?
2. How easy is it for you to mourn with those who mourn or rejoice with those who rejoice?

Luke 18:9-14
1. Of the two men in the story, which are you more often like and why?
2. How difficult is it for you to be humble or be humbled by someone else?

Spend some time with these passages over the next week as our class will not be meeting this Sunday (7/5) and look for Week 6 to be posted early next week. Please feel free to jump in on the discussion and conversation here on the blog or you can email me at matt@castletonumc.org. Comments and questions are always welcome.

*this study has been adapted from the book Gifts: the joy of serving God by John Ortberg, Laurie Pederson & Judson Poling*