Lesson Continued...

God has given us special gifts that allow us to work together as the church, the body of Christ. Children should learn early on that the Lord loves them and has blessed them with talents and abilities. We can give thanks for these, and discover how to use them to give back to Jesus. This lesson explores how we can work as a team, focusing on how our spiritual gifts can be treasured and used for the church. 

All that we have comes from Jesus. Although it might sound as though this passage is encouraging us to focus on “works”, as we use our spiritual gifts for God, the truth is that He enables every good thing, and leads us in all we do. Christ has blessed us with more than we could ever ask for or imagine. We demonstrate our gratitude by serving Him with the talents He has granted us.

Passage: 1 Corinthians 12:3-31

This passage comes from one of Paul’s letters to the church of Corinth, urging them to consider how they could work together as the body of Christ, and use their gifts to serve the church. Take turns reading verses, or read them out loud for younger children. Explain what these important words mean as you go through the passage.

Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

4 Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5 and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills. -1 Corinthians 12:3-11

Paul wants to remind the people of the Corinthian church that every blessing comes from the Lord. Many of these people were formerly pagans who worshiped idols and made-up gods, and thought that they somehow could get themselves great things on their own power. Paul tells them that all gifts and powers and abilities are given through the Holy Spirit. He gives different unique talents and treasures to different people, but they all come from Him first and foremost.

Decide how in-depth you wish to go with students in describing these various gifts. Some of them could be harder to explain for younger students (tongues, healing, etc.), as far as how those are manifested today, but they could still be discussed. Consider talking about other gifts and abilities that God gives to us, and how we might figure out what our gifts are. Some think there’s a magic formula or secret way to discern our giftings, but it can be as simple as what we enjoy or do well!  

Ask: What are some things that you are extra good at? What kinds of gifts has God given you?

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 one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and all were made to drink of one Spirit. -1 Corinthians 12:12-13

This is a pretty classic, but wonderful illustration. Invite students to think of how our bodies work. Everything that we do, from eating a sandwich to throwing a baseball, involves a lot of parts working together. If all of the body parts are not cooperating, things don’t happen like they should. It’s the same way with the church. The church is the body of Jesus, and we all contribute different things to make it function properly. Note that this verse does not say “we should try to be a body”, but indicates that we already are! We need each other.

Ask: Do you think one of your body parts is the most important? Which one?   

For the body does not consist of one member but of many. 15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? 18 But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 19 If all were a single member, where would the body be? 20 As it is, there are many parts, yet one body.   -1 Corinthians 12:14-20

Sometimes we start to feel like our role is less glamorous or important than someone else’s. The truth is that all parts are essential. In our human bodies, we might not think too much about something like a pinky toe, until it gets broken on a doorjamb and suddenly renders walking difficult. There is no most or least critical body part. In the same way, there is no best or worst church member or contributor. Even kids have a purpose and a job in the church! We cannot think we aren’t important to Christ’s body. We also can’t look down on others or tell them that they are less significant. Perhaps being an usher or janitor doesn’t feel as “cool” as choir director or Sunday School superintendent, but every job is necessary to the church.  

Ask: What are some things that you can do in the church right now? How can God use your talents?  

The eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you,” nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” 22 On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and on those parts of the body that we think less honorable we bestow the greater honor, and our unpresentable parts are treated with greater modesty, 24 which our more presentable parts do not require. But God has so composed the body, giving greater honor to the part that lacked it, 25 that there may be no division in the body, but that the members may have the same care for one another. 26 If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.  -1 Corinthians 12:21-26

We need each other! There might be times (okay, there will be times) when we don’t get along with everyone else around. There will be people we might prefer not to work with or even hang out with. This does not mean we should avoid them, or that they don’t also have important jobs to do in God’s church. If we ignore people or push them away, they might stop coming to church, which could deprive the body of a needed part! God has put us together in a certain way, and we are to help one another, rejoicing with those who rejoice and suffering when another suffers. This is not something we choose, but a design God has already set for His church!  

Ask: How can you be more welcoming to someone you don’t always get along with well?  

 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 miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the higher gifts.

And I will show you a still more excellent way. -1 Corinthians 12:27-31

These verse might make it seem like there is a “ranking” order or hierarchy to spiritual gifts, which is not true. Paul is merely pointing out that not everyone has the same gift. It would be pretty boring and pointless if we were all exactly the same! We don’t all do the same thing, but the things we do are all important. Desiring “higher gifts” does not mean we should be envious of others or want abilities we do not have, but simply that we should want to use our talents in the best way, and to ask God to help us use the gifts we are given.
When Paul says that he will “show you a still more excellent way”, it is preparation for the next passage! 1 Corinthians 13 (following 12, as numbers go) is the great chapter on love, which will show how love is even more important than all of the other spiritual gifts, and is the very highest and greatest thing we can do as Christians.

Ask: How do you think God can use some of the things you are good at? What’s something you might want to be even better at?    

Close with prayer, thanking God for His gifts and asking for His help in discerning how to best use them for His glory.

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1 Corinthians 13:1-8

Children express what they learned about Paul’s description of love by retelling several aspects they learned about it. Children express ways this kind of love can be lived out in our lives. Children express their understanding of the Lord’s love for them.

1 Corinthians 13 contains some of the most famous words about love ever written. In this Sunday School lesson for kids your class will have the opportunity to discover what love truly is, and why it is so important. Of all the gifts God has given us, nothing surpasses his love!

Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-13: The people of the church in Corinth were arguing about which 

of the spiritual gifts God gives us is the best. The Apostle Paul heard about this bickering 

and wrote to them to settle the matter. In his letter, Paul explained that the greatest gift 

God gives us is love—a gift that is given to everyone. Each of the other spiritual gifts, while 

powerful in their ability to help us advance the kingdom of God on Earth, is worthless if our 

actions are done without love. 

God gives us gifts that will help us through life and to help advance the kingdom of God 

by sharing the story of Jesus’ ultimate act of love and sacrifice to save us from our sins. 

Spreading this good news is obeying Jesus’ command to make disciples of all nations. The 

goal of this commandment isn’t so God will have the most followers, but so that His love will 

be spread to every corner of the Earth and that every person will experience His love. God 

gives us spiritual gifts out of love so that we can share His love. Using these gifts without love 

makes our actions meaningless. With love we can hope to accomplish the following:

1. Unity: People we’ve never met, people from different countries, and even people who speak 

different languages are our brothers and sisters because we share something that forms the 

foundations of our lives: Jesus and His love. 

2. Purpose: God created each of us each as unique individuals and granted each of us spiritual 

gifts with the common purpose of spreading the good news of Jesus by showing our love for 

everyone. 

3. Transformation: The more we come to know and understand God, the more we understand 

the power of love. Love can change who we are and those with whom we interact. Love can 

change the world. 

1a: What were the people in the church in Corinth 

arguing about?

A1: The people in the church in Corinth were arguing 

about which spiritual gift was the best.

Q1b: You see two identical cars in a parking lot, but one is blue and the other is green. Which 

car is better?

TN: Outside of color preference, neither is better than the other because they are the same 

car. No one is better than anyone else. God gives us gifts that suit the purpose He created us 

for, and none of these spiritual gifts are better than the other or make the people who have 

them better than anyone else. 

2a: People gifted in speaking the truth of God help to 

do what?

A2: They help to teach about Jesus and to open cold, 

hard hearts.

Q2b: If you make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich without jelly, have you made the 

sandwich correctly?

TN: No, we made a peanut butter sandwich. While peanut butter sandwiches are yummy, 

it’s not a proper PB&J without the jelly. Our spiritual gifts are powerful, but they are not 

complete or effective when we use them without love. 

Q3a: What can people gifted with spiritual understanding 

of God do?

A3: They can face any difficult situation and never fear 

because they trust in God.

Q3b: You sit down to watch TV, but the power cord is missing. Can you get it to turn on 

without electricity? 

TN: Even though we have the TV, it requires electricity. Without a power cord, the TV won’t 

work. We may have spiritual gifts, but without love, they won’t work. Love is what gives our 

gifts power!

Q4a: What does a person gain by giving everything away 

without love?

A4: A person who gives away everything without love 

gains nothing. 

Q4b: Is it okay to tell others that you shared your sandwich with your friend who forgot his 

lunch? 

TN: It feels good to give, and when we do it with love in our hearts, the happiness we feel is 

from the Holy Spirit inside of us who is overjoyed at our decision to follow and obey Jesus’ 

command to love others! These feelings are exciting, and we want to tell others about it, and 

that’s okay. Talking about our giving becomes a problem when we give only to seek praise 

from others. The reward for giving is the blessing of knowing we helped someone in need, 

not praise from others for being a good person. 

Q5a: The descriptions of what love is also describe who?

A5: The descriptions of what love is also describe Jesus. 

Q5b: You aced a test at school that your friend failed. Is it 

wrong to be proud of yourself?

TN: No, we worked hard to understand the concepts on that test! We should be proud of 

ourselves! Being proud is wrong in this situation when we tease our friend about how well 

we did in comparison. It is wrong to assume that we are smarter than our friend because 

of their test score. Pride becomes a problem when we start think we are better than others; 

that is simply not true. God created each of us, making every person on the planet a miracle 

and part of God’s plan, and He loves us equally. To show love in this situation, we can offer to 

help our friend study for the next test. 

Q6a: On Earth we only have part of the picture. What will 

we have in Heaven?

A6: In Heaven, we will have an understanding that is 

perfect and true. 

Q6b: Have you ever figured out something you thought was too hard to understand?

TN: Let the students answer. Most of us have encountered something like this in school. For 

some of us, we experience this in math class, for others it’s language arts. The moment we 

figure it out, it’s like someone turned on the lights, and we can see everything clearly. It’s 

an amazing feeling! Here on Earth, we understand the world we live in and spiritual truths 

about life as best as we can, but there is just so much that we cannot understand. When we 

get to Heaven, it will be like someone turned on a light as big as the sun! We will understand 

everything!

Q7a: Of all the gifts that God gives us, which is eternal?

A7: Love is eternal.

Q7b: Would you like to share a time when you recently 

felt loved?

TN: This can be a story about how they felt loved by God or by someone in their lives. Let the 

students tell their stories. That feeling of love is what God wants us to spread everywhere 

we go, and He has given us special gifts to help us do just that. Who doesn’t want to make 

everyone experience such a fantastic feeling?! What a wonderful mission He has sent us on! 

This is an opportunity to connect the stories students tell with blessings they have received 

from God.

Directions

1. Give the kids some construction paper and have them cut out hearts of different sizes. They can even put words on each heart that relate to the lesson (patient, kind, never fails, our church, unity, love God, love others, serve God, serve others, etc..)

2. Have them cut out the center of a paper plate to make a "wreath". 

3. Have them glue on their hearts and cut/paste a cross at the bottom. 

4. Lastly, hole punch the top and let the kids put a ribbon through it so that it can be a hanging wreath. 

Directions

• Form a circle. One child will pass a ball to the right around the circle. Another child will pass a ball to the left around the circle. The key to this game is that kids can’t pass the balls with their hands. Kids can use their feet, elbows, or knees to pass the ball. If someone drops the ball or it touches the ground, the child must close his eyes to continue playing. Play continues until only one person with his or her eyes open remains.

• Cool Down: Ask kids to talk about what was easy or difficult about the game. Ask kids what it was like to play with their eyes closed and how that affected the game. Help kids make the connection between this game and God’s family. Celebrate everyone’s contributions and emphasize everyone’s special role in God’s family.

Directions

***Before the Lesson***

Write the books of the Bible (new testament) on Jenga blocks as shown in the picture. You need two sets to play but you can have as many as you need.

Version 1

1. Divide the kids into however many teams that you have a complete Jenga set for. Let them take turns removing one jenga block at a time. The first person will look and remove the first book of the Bible, if they succeed, then the second person will remove the second book of the Bible, etc... 

2. If the Jenga tower falls, the kids can rebuild the tower and play again!

Version 2

1. Divide the kids into two teams. 

2. Relay style, have one person from each team run down and find the jenga block that has the first book of the Bible on it and return it to their team. The next person then runs down and finds the block that has book number 2 on it and returns it to their team. As the jenga blocks are returned to their team, they will stack them on top of each other ordering the books of the Bible from the ground up.