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| INSIGHTS FROM SCRIPTURE: God works in congregations through gifts of the Holy Spirit manifested in the lives of the members. These gifts are both natural talents such as teaching, and supernatural abilities such as speaking in tongues. The key in this passage is that whether the gift is natural or supernatural, it comes from God, it is to be used “for the common good,’’ and it is not something for the individual to take pride in for themselves. The gift is there for the ministry of the whole community. It can be a fine line to walk with youth as you help them acknowledge their God-given talents and call them to be used in your congregation, and at the same time help them understand that it’s not about them, it’s all about the church community as a whole. You will want to affirm the youth for their gifts, but you can use language such as “That was so great the way God used you in the worship team this morning.” In a culture where competition in school, weekend sports, and striving to get good grades puts youth in a non-stop cycle of achieving and doing, it would be wonderful if our congregations can be places where God’s spirit flows through the youth, and their involvement refreshes rather than stresses them even more. WORKS CITED: Interpretation: A Bible Commentary for Teaching and Preaching, First Corinthians. Richard B. Hays, John Knox Press, 1997 |
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