Evangelism and Witnessing: Sabbath School Quarterly Lesson Teaching Guide

Sabbath School Quarterly Lesson Teaching Guide
EVANGELISM AND WITNESSING

Lesson 3 Spiritual Gifts for Evangelism and Witnessing Memory Texts Ephesians 4:11-12 (KJV) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: (NKJV) 11 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. (The Message) 11 He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher 12to train Christ's followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ's body, (ESV) 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds [pastor] and teachers [shepherd12 teacher], to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, (Amplified) 11 And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. 12His intention was the perfecting and the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the church), (Wycliffe Bible) 11 And he gave some apostles, some prophets, others evangelists, others shepherds and teachers, 12 to the full ending of saints, into the work of ministry, into [the] edification of Christ's body, (NLT) 11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip Gods people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. (ERV) 11 And that same Christ gave these gifts to people: He made some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to go and tell the Good News, and some to care for and teach Gods people. [or to care for people Literally, to be 12 shepherds and teachers.] Christ gave these gifts to prepare Gods holy people for the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger. 1) What is the purpose of spiritual gifts according to this verse? 1. To equip saints for the work of ministry so that the body of Christ, the church, might be built up. 2) Who are the saints? 1. In Biblical usage, saints refers to true believers in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Communication Department of the Catanauan Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Adapted from Hyvernhil SDA Church USA Modified/Edited: Melvin E. Ochinang
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2. The word saints means holy ones. Those who are justified and sanctified: set apart for a holy use. 3. In RC usage, the saints are a special group of holy ones who have been elevated to sainthood by the RC church. 4. But the scriptures recognize no such group of elite believers. 5. All those who have been justified and sanctified are saints. 6. They are holy ones because the righteousness of Christ has been imputed to them and they have been set apart for a holy use. 1) Are you one of the saints? (Yes!) 2) Have you been equipped for ministry? (Yes!) 1. Note that the text does not say for the equipping of a few of the saints. 2. The gifts are given for the equipping of all of the saints. 3. That means you have a spiritual gift.
Spiritual Gifts
1) Where in the Bible can we read about Spiritual gifts? [Rom 12:3-8; 1 Cor 12-14; Eph 4:11-13] 1. These are the three primary passages in the Bible that deal with spiritual gifts. 2. However, the concept of spiritual gifts can be found in many other places. 3. For example spiritual gifts were given to those in charge of building the sanctuary. 4. Bezalel and Oholiab were filled with the Spirit of God , with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts (Ex 35:31) 2) What are some examples of spiritual gifts? 1. Pastor, teacher, evangelist, prophecy, tongues, interpretation, helps, administration, giving, intercession etc. 2. Bezalel and Oholiab had the gift of craftsmenship, artistry, embroidery, metalworking, sculpturing, etc. 3. Those who worked on Solomons temple had the gift of stone cutting and masonry. Everything was cut at the quarry and fit into place at the temple without hammering. 4. David had the gift of music; Samson had the gift of strength; Solomon had the gift of wisdom. The prophets had the gift of prophecy. 3) How would you define Spiritual gifts? 1. A special talent or ability given by God to equip the saints to serve God and build up the kingdom of God.
Definitions of Spiritual Gifts
1. They are specific abilities given to Christians by the Holy Spirit so we can serve others in nurture and/or outreach. (Roy C. Naden Your Spiritual Gifts, Making the Great Discovery) 2. They are a divinely ordained spiritual ability through which Christ enables His church to execute its task on earth. (Michael Youssef, Gifts of the Spirit, Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts)
Purpose of the Gifts:
Eph 4:11-13 (NIV) 11 It was he [Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare Gods people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of
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men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
Gifts vs. Talents
1) Whats the difference between Spiritual Gifts and natural talents? 1. Natural talents are self cultivated; spiritual gifts are God-given. 2. God often uses natural talents as a basis for spiritual gifts. 3. Someone may be able to sing or play the piano based on natural talents. But the HS gives that person the ability to build up the church with his music. 4. Someone may be a good speaker, but the gift of the Spirit makes him a good preacher. 5. Someone may be a good leader or a good helper, but the Spirits gifts make their abilities effective in building the kingdom of God. 4. Gifts of the Spirit are used for carrying out Gods work on earth. 2) What parable about talents did Jesus tell? (Matt 25:14-30) 1. The parable of the talents. 3) What is the main point of this parable? 1. All the servants were given talents and all were expected to use their talents. All Christians are given at least one gift and we are expected to use it. 2. The servants received different numbers of talents according to his several ability. Christians receive different gifts according to the decision of the Holy Spirit. 3. Those who used their talents to get more were commended in the judgment. Both doubled their talents. Both were given the same commendation for using their talents regardless of the number of talents they were entrusted with. 4. The reward was not a vacation or a pension, but more responsibility. Mat 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. (This implies that theres going to be opportunity for ministry and service even in heaven.) 5. The 1-talent servant was not condemned for only having one talent. He was condemned because he didnt use that talent. So too we must use our talents or we will lose them. Use it or lose it. 6. Those who refuse to use their gifts are unprofitable or useless or worthless. They are classed by the great judge with evil doers and cast out of the kingdom of God. 7. Summary: It doesnt matter how small your talent or gift from the Lord. The important thing is that you use that talent for the work of the Lord.
Then and Now
1) What did the Holy Spirit empower the early church to do? Acts 1:8 (NIV) 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. 1. Jesus promised His disciples the Holy Spirit to empower them for witnessing. 2. Last week we learned that every true believer has been given the ministry of reconciliation. We are to share the gospel so that sinners can be reconciled to God. 3. The Holy Spirit and His gifts will empower us to be witnesses. 4. You can start by employing the gifts of friendliness and fellowship. Dont be a recluse. Be friendly and hang out with someone.

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2) How has our age of high technology made witnessing today so much easier than in the past? 1. Our resources for witnessing today are amazing. 2. You dont have to be able to preach a sermon or give a Bible study; you can simply tell others where to find the truth. 3. Do you have a computer? Do you do email? Are you on Facebook? Can you find YouTube? You have a multitude of opportunities to witness. 4. Have you been blessed by a sermon you heard on YouTube? You dont have to preach it. Just send the link to someone! 5. Cant give a bible study? Send them a link to online Bible studies from VOP or Amazing Facts. 6. How many know John and Sheryl Hersom of our sister church in Amesbury? a. They were on Hope channel on May 18, 2011 being interviewed about their DVD ministry. b. They reproduce and give away DVDs at fairs and festivals. c. At the time of the interview, they had given away an amazing 40,000 DVDs. d. They get permission from the speakers to copy and distribute their messages. The cost of a blank DVD is just pennies. 7. With radio, TV, the internet, it has never been easier to be a witness for the truth as it is in Jesus. Acts 2:40-47 (NIV) 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. 44 All the believers were together and had everything in common. 45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. 46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, 47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. 1) What spiritual gifts do you see in action in the early church? 1. In verse 42 we see the gifts of teaching, fellowship, hospitality (breaking of bread), and intercessory prayer. 2. In verse 43 we see the gift of miracles as done by the apostles. 3. We see the gift of giving in verse 44. They held everything in common. (Thats probably not something we could do today.) 4. We see the gift of mercy and compassion in verse 45. 5. Again in verse 46 we see the gift of fellowship: every day they met together. 6. In verse 47 we see the gift of praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. (Could we call that the gift of being friendly?) 7. We dont all need to have the gifts of evangelism and preaching and teaching to build up the body of Christ. 8. Look at some of these simple gifts: a. Fellowship: being present when the church meets. Being there to participate and be a friend to the person next to you. b. The gift of pot luck. Hospitality, breaking bread together. Dont miss pot luck today. Use your gift of fellowship at our fellowship dinner. c. The gift of sharing with others, giving out of mercy and compassion. d. The gift of simply being friendly so that we enjoy the favor of all the people. Is that something you could do?
Finding Your Gifts
1) How do you know that you have spiritual gifts? (1 Cor 12:7,11; 1 Pet 4:10) 1 Corinthians 12:7, 11 (NKJV)

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But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to EACH ONE for the profit of all: 11But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to EACH ONE individually as He wills. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) 10 EACH ONE should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering Gods grace in its various forms 1. These scriptures clearly say that each true Christian has at least one gift. 2) How can you find out what your spiritual gift is? Pray about it. Daydream about doing something for the Lord that you are good at and that you enjoy. Take a spiritual gifts test. Try different ministries. Look for affirmation within the Body. 1. Dont think you have to have a gift that is listed in scripture. 2. Even if you cant identify your spiritual gift, dont let that stop you. Anybody can be a witness for Jesus by being a friend.
Clusters of Gifts
Support Cluster: hospitality, support (helps, service, ministry), giving, compassion (mercy), intercession. Counselor Cluster: insight (discernment), encouragement (exhortation), wisdom. Teacher Cluster: knowledge, teaching Shepherd/Evangelist Cluster: evangelism, shepherd (pastor) speaking up for God (prophecy) cross-cultural ministry, pioneering (apostleship). Leader Cluster: leadership, administration Sign Cluster: voluntary poverty, martyrdom, miracles, healing, exorcism, celibacy, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. This grouping of spiritual gifts is according to Roy C. Naden Your Spiritual Gifts, Making the Great Discovery. 1. The sign gifts of miracles and healings were present in apostolic days, but do not seem to be present today. 2. Healing evangelists like Benny Hinn claim to have the gift of healing, but the evidence belies his claim. 3. The healings can all be explained by psychological manipulation to cure psychosomatic illnesses. 4. Sadly, parents bring their children in a wheelchair, and thats the way they take them home. 5. If someone truly had the gift of healing, they would be constantly in demand at every hospital in the world.
The Body
1) How is the church like a human body, and what does this have to do with the different kinds of gifts in the church? 1. The illustration is that Christians receive different kinds of gifts that are COMPLIMENTARY. 2. With different people having different gifts working together toward a common goal, the mission of the church can be accomplished more effectively than if everyone is trying to do the same thing. 3. The different organs and systems in the body aptly illustrate this truth. 4. The body functions properly only when each part is doing its assigned task. 5. The body needs the skeletal system, the muscular system, the nervous system, the digestive system, the circulatory system, the auditory system, the olfactory system, the visual system, the pulmonary system, the reproductive system, and each of these are composed of many different sub parts all of which are necessary to the proper functioning of the body. 2) What happens when one of the systems of the body does not operate properly?

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1. The whole body suffers. It cant function properly until all systems get back into proper operation. (Amazing how well the body operates with all that could go wrong!!) 3) What other analogies illustrate the complimentary nature of spiritual gifts? An orchestra. A basketball team. A business. An army
Lesson Summary
The gifts of the Spirit are essential for empowering Gods church today. The gifts are given to prepare us for service, to build up the body of Christ, to bring us into unity, and to make us mature Christians who reflect the character of Christ. It is through the gifts that the Body of Christ grows. Every Christian has at least one Spiritual gift. We can all be a friend to make a friend for Jesus. In the parable of the talents, Jesus made the point use it or loose it. Dont be afraid to fail. Take the risk. Discover your Spiritual gifts by prayer, by contemplation, by evaluating aptitude, by experimentation, by affirmation: using your gifts will be a joy.
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MISCELLANEOUS:
SDA Encyclopedia
SPIRITUAL GIFTS. The gifts of the Holy Spirit mentioned in 1 Cor. 12:28 and Eph. 4:11. As summarized in the latter text they are apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers. They are said to function for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ (Eph. 4:12). The list in Corinthians (omitting pastors) adds the following: miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. These gifts were bestowed upon the church at Christs ascension (Eph. 4:8, 11). They were needed in the early church to confirm the testimony of the early apostles (see Heb. 2:4) and to provide guidance and leadership in the young congregations. In discussing spiritual gifts, Seventh-day Adventists have stressed the fact that the Holy Spirit will continue operating in the church until the Second Advent, so that He might be expected to use any of the gifts at any time. On the basis of Rev. 12:17 and 19:10 Seventh-day Adventists have held that the gift of prophecy would be manifested in the remnant church (see Spirit of Prophecy).
SDA COMMENTARY
(on Ephesians 4:11-12,NKV)

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And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
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V11. He gave. In Greek the word for he is emphatic, meaning he himself, the one just described. Apostles. See on Acts 1:2; 1 Cor. 12:28. Paul is not so much saying that certain gifts were given to men in order that they might become apostles, as that they who had received the gift were themselves being given to the church. The church was receiving to its ministry men who were properly equipped for their functions. Compare Rom. 12:68. Prophets. See on Gen. 20:7; Matt. 11:9; 1 Cor. 12:10. Prophets were expounders and explainers of the will of God that had been made known to them by supernatural means. They are mentioned along with
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apostles in Eph. 2:20; 3:5. The idea of foretelling is not essential to the meaning of the word, nor is the predictive element found in all prophetic utterances (Acts 15:32; 1 Cor. 14:3). The prophetic gift was indispensable to the founding of the church in NT times, and is the appointed guide of the remnant church (Rev. 19:10). Evangelists. Gr. euaggelistai, preachers of the gospel, related to the verb euaggelizo (see on Acts 8:4). The euaggelistai were apparently not attached to any particular locality, but bore their testimony from place to place. They probably did not exercise the full authority of apostles (Acts 21:8; 2 Tim. 4:5). The ministry of the evangelists appears to have been directed chiefly to the heathen, whereas the pastors and teachers served the local congregations. The question may be raised as to why Paul does not refer to the work of bishops, deacons, and others at this point. Apparently he is here speaking of those who were conspicuous by having received the gifts of the Spirit for the purpose of instruction, rather than of those whose work was more administrative without, however, implying either superiority or inferiority. These offices were not mutually exclusive. Pastors and teachers. The structure of this phrase, in the Greek, suggests that Paul intends to speak of two phases of one office. Any effective ministry is a teaching ministry. The pastoral function of the ministry is presented in John 21:16; Acts 20:28, 29; 1 Peter 5:2, 3; etc., and the teaching aspect in Acts 13:1; Rom. 12:7; 1 Tim. 3:2, and many other passages. The Master Himself was the great pastor-teacher, shepherding the flock and teaching them. V12. For. Or, with a view to. Perfecting. Gr. katartismos, an equipping, a perfecting. The verb katartizo is used in Matt. 4:21 for the mending of nets, in Gal. 6:1 for the restoring of those overtaken in a fault. Compare on 1 Cor. 1:10. The gifts were for the purpose of mending the saints and uniting them. The perfecting involves, as the context suggests, an ordered ministry and government of the church. Work of the ministry. Or, work of ministering, work of services, thus including all types of ministry and serving within the church. The officers of the church are not to lord it over the flock but are to consider themselves servants. This is the immediate purpose of the gift. Edifying. Or, building up. The church is to be built up in both character and numbers.1
BIOGRAPHICAL BOOKS
EGW in Europe (1885-1887), by D.A. Delafield (1975) Ch.24_A Bible Centered Ministry "Thus 1 Cor. 12, and Eph. 4, which define the gifts of the Spirit of God, cannot really form a part of the rule of life of those who affirm that the Scriptures are so efficient in themselves that the gifts of the Spirit are unnecessary. . . . "The object of spiritual gifts is to maintain the living work of God in the church. They enable the Spirit of God to speak in the correction of wrongs, and in the exposure of iniquity. They are the means whereby God teaches His people when they are in danger of taking wrong steps. They are the means by which the Spirit of God sheds light upon church difficulties, when otherwise their adjustment would be impossible. They also constitute the means whereby God preserves His people from confusion by pointing out errors, by correcting false interpretations of the Scriptures, and causing light to shine out upon that which is in danger of being wrongly understood, and therefore of being the cause of evil and division to the people
1Nichol, Francis D., The Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary, (Washington, D.C.: Review and Herald Publishing Association) 1978.

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of God. In short, their work is to unite the people of God in the same mind and in the same judgment upon the meaning of the Scriptures. . . .
Biographical Books
2BIO Ellen G. White Volume 2 The Progressive Years 1862-1876, by Arthur L. White (1986) Ch.19_ (1870) At Last The Tide turns 14. The object of spiritual gifts is to maintain the living work of God in the church. They enable the Spirit of God to speak in the correction of wrongs, and in the exposure of iniquity. They are the means whereby God teaches His people when they are in danger of taking wrong steps. They are the means by which the Spirit of God sheds light upon church difficulties, when otherwise their adjustment would be impossible. They also constitute the means whereby God preserves His people from confusion by pointing out errors, by correcting false interpretations of the Scriptures, and causing light to shine out upon that which is in danger of being wrongly understood, and therefore of being the cause of evil and division to the people of God. {2BIO 286.3} In short, their work is to unite the people of God in the same mind and in the same judgment upon the meaning of the Scriptures. Mere human judgment, with no direct instruction from Heaven, can never search out hidden iniquity, nor adjust dark and complicated church difficulties, nor prevent different and conflicting interpretations of the Scriptures. It would be sad indeed if God could not still converse with His people.--Ibid. {2BIO 286.4} He pointed out that the gifts of the Spirit are primarily for the church; members do not test others by these gifts. But he stated clearly: {2BIO 286.5} There is such a thing . . . as men having in the providence of God an opportunity to become acquainted with the special work of the Spirit of God, so that they shall acknowledge that their light is clear, convincing, and satisfactory. To such persons, we consider the gifts of the Spirit are clearly a test.--Ibid.

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