8.22.21 HUDDLE

Zach Below   -   August 22, 2021

LEADER NOTE: YOU WILL NEED ACCESS TO A TV/IPAD/COMPUTER OR SOMETHING YOUR GROUP CAN WATCH A VIDEO ON

 

 

INTRO: Welcome to week 5 of our latest series, POWER: Gifts of the Spirit. Last week we discussed the importance of exploring context, culture, and questions when faced with difficult passages. This week, we look at two of the more controversial practices in the church . . . speaking in tongues and prophecy. Is there any way to de-weirdify or de-mystify these two practices.

 

 

INTRO QUESTIONS

  1. What is your starting place when it comes to speaking in tongues/prophecy? Do you start from a place of disbelief, skepticism, total belief?

 

  1. Have you ever been a part of a service where either of these gifts have been on display? What was your experience/thoughts?

 

  1. If you start from a place of skepticism or disbelief, what would it take to change your opinion on the subject?

 

 

BIBLE ENGAGEMENT: 1 CORINTHIANS 14:1-5, 12-20, 39-40

This is a long chapter- Have a few different people in your group each take a section to help.

 

1 CORINTHIANS 14:1-5

1 Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy. 2 For anyone who speaks in a tongue[a] does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit. 3 But the one who prophesies speaks to people for their strengthening, encouraging and comfort. 4 Anyone who speaks in a tongue edifies themselves, but the one who prophesies edifies the church. 5 I would like every one of you to speak in tongues,[b] but I would rather have you prophesy. The one who prophesies is greater than the one who speaks in tongues,[c] unless someone interprets, so that the church may be edified.

 

1 CORINTHIANS 14:12-20

12 So it is with you. Since you are eager for gifts of the Spirit, try to excel in those that build up the church.

13 For this reason the one who speaks in a tongue should pray that they may interpret what they say. 14 For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays,but my mind is unfruitful. 15 So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit,but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. 16 Otherwise when you are praising God in the Spirit, how can someone else, who is now put in the position of an inquirer,[d] say “Amen” to your thanksgiving, since they do not know what you are saying? 17 You are giving thanks well enough, but no one else is edified.

18 I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. 19 But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

20 Brothers and sisters, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults.

 

1 CORINTHIANS 14:39-40

39 Therefore, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 40 But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

 

 

  1. What stands out to you from the text?

 

  1. What questions does it raise?

 

  1. What is the text saying about tongues?

 

  1. What is the text saying about prophecy?

 

  1. What does the text point to as the goal of all the gifts?

 

 

SOMETHING DIFFERENT

This week, we are going to let the One Life Podcast guide our conversation. In this episode, we brought a panel of people who have experienced the gift of tongues. The goal of this episode is to create a genuine conversation and ask some questions to help us all better understand this gift of the Spirit. The episode is rather long (50 minutes). So, our recommendation would be to watch 20-30 minutes and then let your group reaction guide the rest of your group-time.

 

You could also watch and pause anytime you hear something you would like to discuss.

 

Podcast

 

 

PRAYER: Close by praying these 3 simple things:

  1. “Lord, really give me an understanding of what my gift is and how I can develop and use it to build up others.”

 

  1. God does say to be eager for spiritual gifts. Pray for the gift of prophecy, prayer language, or some other gift you want to see in your life.

 

  1. Say, “Lord, guide my steps now. Is there a place inside the church where you can work through me to build up others? Show me what that looks like.”