Spiritual Gifts (Ephesians 4:7-16 NLT)

7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say, "When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people." 9 Notice that it says "he ascended." This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself. 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 God's people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. 13 This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God's Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ. 14 Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won't be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. 15 Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. 16 He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) What will God give each of His people? (v.7)
2) What Scripture does the Apostle Paul quote and why? (v.8-10)
3) What spiritual gifts have been given to the church and for what purpose(s)? (v.11-12)
4) Why are these gifts given, how long will it continue and why? (v.13-14)
5) What else does the Apostle Paul write about the body of Christ? (v.15-16) 

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
6) What spiritual gift(s) have you been given and how do you use it in your local church body and/or ministry?

LIFE LESSONS
7) Every member of the body of Christ has a spiritual gift to impart to the rest of the members of the body.

Unity in the Body (Ephesians 4:1-6 NLT)

1 Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. 2 Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other's faults because of your love. 3 Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. 4 For there is one body and one Spirit, just as you have been called to one glorious hope for the future. 5 There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 and one God and Father, who is over all and in all and living through all.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS
1) How did the Apostle Paul refer to himself in this passage of the epistle? (v.1)
2) What did Paul urge the readers of this epistle to do? (v.2-3)
3) Why did the apostle urge Christ's disciples to behave in such ways? (v.4-6)

APPLICATION QUESTIONS
4) Generally speaking, how patient, gentle and humble are you toward your brothers and sisters in Christ?

LIFE LESSONS
5) It is necessary for all members of the body of Christ to maintain unity through love, humility and patience.