Acts 6:1-7 • A Healthy Church
- Getting to Know You:
Take a moment to share about Christmas gifts you have received. Did you receive any that were a ‘boring’ practical necessity? What was your reaction?
Digging Deeper:
- Read Acts 6:1-2, 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, 14-22 and 27-31. According to these verses, why are different gifts bestowed? While there are greater and lesser gifts, why would it be wrong to despise a lesser gift? Why was it important to delegate responsibilities to others in the Church? What are the implications for us today?
- Read Acts 6:3-5, 1 Timothy 3:1-13 and 1 Corinthians 2:10-15. These verses present what is required of pastors and deacons (those who serve tables). Examine these texts and discuss the differences between the qualifications of each. Why is being full of the Spirit and wisdom a key qualification for the seven deacons? What is the danger of placing gifting above character?
- Read Acts 6:6-7, Matthew 19:13-15, Luke 4:40, Acts 19:11-12, Mark 5:25-29 and 2 Timothy 1:6. What kinds of extraordinary things happened through the “laying on of hands” and “touch”? What does the act of laying on of hands signify and what power and responsibility come with it? Consider John 14:12, 2 Corinthians 4:10-11 and 1 Timothy 5:22 in your discussion.
Taking it Home:
- What spiritual gifting do you have? How have you been using it to serve the body of Christ?