Monday Devotional: January 20, 2025

Bible Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:12-31 (NRSVUE)

¹² For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit… ²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. ²⁸ And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work powerful deeds? ³⁰ Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ But strive for the greater gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.

We are all members of Christ’s body, the church. The members of the Corinthian church seemingly disagree about the value of spiritual gifts; they have established a hierarchy of gifts and are perhaps choosing to stress one gift to the exclusion of the others. Paul reminds them that God creates a variety of gifts; therefore, differences enhance the unity of the body. God bestows gifts upon each of us; each gift brings certain aspects and values to the whole; each is useful and necessary for the other. Just as our physical body parts depend upon one another to function, all Christians depend upon others in order to function appropriately. The objective becomes the good of the entire body of Christ.

Paul’s “still more excellent way” does not describe a gift to attain at the exclusion of the other gifts but a more excellent way of striving for those gifts. Christians are to “strive for the greater gifts,” which Paul develops in chapter 13. Love becomes the binding force.

Have you ever been part of a team? In my growing-up years, I played Little League sports and participated in a number of other team activities. I learned a lot about teamwork from these experiences. Whether executing a precision marching drill, drafting school policy, or trying to outpace an athletic opponent, each member of the team played a vital role. The end product depended on everyone working together to accomplish that stated goal. All then receive honor.

As members of the body of Christ, Christ’s team, we care for one another with mutual affection. We affirm other’s gifts, acknowledging our dependency upon each other.

Prayer

Creator God, help me to use your gifts for the building up of the entire body of Christ. Amen.

By Larry R. Hygh Jr., The Upper Room Disciplines 2016, page 39.

Bible Study

“Following Jesus” By Laura Wittman

Session Title: We Share the Lord’s Supper
Focal Passage: Luke 22:14-23
Purpose Statement: To celebrate with believers in every place the unifying effect of Jesus’ table.

Questions:

• How has receiving Communion changed your understanding of salvation? How has it broadened your capacity to love others?
• How is the call to confession also a call to action and response? What does this mean to you personally today?
• When has receiving Communion enabled you to experience a fresh start, a new beginning?
• When have you experienced joy at the table? What are you willing to give up to become something new?

Zoom Session

Monday, January 20, 2025, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.
For Zoom Link, send email to [email protected].

In-Person Session

Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at 1:00 pm-2:00 pm, Conference Room, McGee Building.