Introduction

This week, we’re learning that God gives each of us  special gifts to help others and make a difference in the world. These gifts aren’t always easy to spot at first, especially when you’re still growing and figuring things out. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have them! Sometimes it just takes time, encouragement, and a little help to discover the unique ways God has made you strong. As we learn together, you’ll get to explore what your own spiritual gifts might be. God has given you something amazing to offer.

Bible Point: God gives us gifts to share God’s love with others.

Key Verse: “For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). 

Big Picture: Practice using your spiritual  gifts to show God’s love to others.

Planting the Seed:

The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit has given  every follower of Jesus a spiritual gift. That gift  is God’s way of helping God’s children share  love with others. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-27, Paul  compares the church with our physical bodies  and helps us understand that all parts are  needed if the “body” is to work properly. The  gifts are given according to God’s plans, and  if anyone refuses to use their gifts, the body  doesn’t work very well because it’s missing an  important part. God wants all people to find  their gifts and use them according to God’s  plans—to share God’s love with others! 

• Why is it important that we serve God with the gifts we’ve been given? 

• What happens when we don’t? 

• How can you serve God? 

Family Fun 

Around the dinner table this week, plan a  family service project in which different areas  of gifts can be put to use. Keep the ideas  realistic, but challenge each family member  to think of ways to contribute to the service  project. Some ideas include a neighborhood  cleanup or a cookout designed to get to know  your neighbors. Ensure that everyone has a  role and can understand why it is important  and necessary. 

Ready, Set, Grow!

Discover and use your gifts to serve God this  week: 

• IF you know what your spiritual gifts are, think of one way you can use them this week. Serve someone else, encourage someone, or give of the resources you have for the sake of someone else. 

• IF you don’t know what your spiritual gifts are, talk about it with your parent, pastor, teacher, or other adult you trust. Also, ask your friends, “What kinds of gifts do you see in me?” You might be pleasantly surprised to discover how God is already using you. 

• WE’RE all more gifted in certain areas than in others, but God invites us to do many things we’re not automatically “gifted” at. Stretch yourself this week. Share God’s love with others in a way that you’re not entirely comfortable with, but you know would bring joy to God. Maybe you have been given a gift that God is waiting for you to discover. Either way, you’ll share God’s love with others and discover more about what God has created you for.