P.R.A.Y
PAUSE
REJOICE & REFLECT
ASK
YIELD
Personal Worship
This week we will be looking at and studying the word category of the spiritual gifts. The word gifts clarify the nature, action, and purposes of God. We start with the gift of teaching.
Together we will pray (P.R.A.Y.) each day – ‘P’: Pausing to be still as we come into the presence of the Lord. ‘R’: Rejoicing as we remember who our God is and what He has done, and Reflecting on His word. ‘A’: Asking God to help us and others. And ‘Y’: yielding to His will in accordance with His word.
As I come before you to pray, I still my thoughts and quiet my mind. I seek to make you the center of my focus.
Prayer of Approach
Guide us, O God, by your Word, and Holy Spirit, that in your light we may see light, in your truth find freedom, and in your will discover peace; through Christ our Lord, Amen.
We choose to rejoice in the power of God’s Word, with all his people in Psalm 84:
How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.
Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise!
Psalm 84:1-4
Today we are reflecting on the words of Scripture, where we read:
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 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. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:4-8
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:11-16
Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 Timothy 4:11-16
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
James 3:1
In the verses above we see Paul introduce the gift of teaching to us. And in all of these, we see the same emphasis. To do what we have been called to do. If you have been called to teach then teach! Ephesians 4 points out the purpose of these gifts. Teachers are called to teach in order to equip God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up. Teaching equips us to know God, to obey him, and to be encouraged as we pursue following him. Clinton defined this gift as, “A person who has the gift of teaching is one who has the ability to instruct, explain or expose biblical truth in such a way as to cause believers to understand the Biblical truth.” This gift is the supernatural ability given by the Holy Spirit to explain and apply Scripture. It is a gift that leads to obedience, it supports the Lordship of Jesus, it deals with worldview and motive, and is one of the key vehicles to encourage spiritual living. Not to diminish other teachings, because we need to learn math, science, and countless other subjects, but this gift is focused on Scripture and teaching the truth from God’s Word. It is a Bible-centered gift used to bring the kingdom of God to life on this earth. It is not a gift purely based on skill or schooling, but on power from the Spirit. We saw this gift play out in the Book of Acts as Peter and John, who were unschooled, ordinary men had the ability to expound the Scriptures in a way that changed the lives of those who heard them preach.
All gifts will be held accountable to God in how we use them or don’t use them, but James 3:1 gives a direct warning which makes teaching even more scary and exciting!
Lord, open my eyes to what you have for me. I want to have everything that you have created for me to have. Give me the desire to pursue the gifts that your Spirit has given me. Give me wisdom and discernment to identify and use what you have bestowed upon me.
1)How does the gift of teaching build up the body of Christ?
2)How can this gift be applied and used?
3)What characteristics does someone who has been given this gift have?
4)Have I been given this gift, why or why not?
Wake us up, Lord! Remind us to live aware, to redeem the time, to listen to your words, and to be willing to make a difference in the places you’ve called us to be. Thank you for your mighty power that acts on behalf of your children. Out of your kindness, please extend to us your grace and freedom. Cover us with your protection. Empower us with your strength. We ask for an awakening of your presence in our own lives and in the world around us, as never seen before. We pray for your help to be faithful to proclaim your name, and that all the enemy’s plans to silence the name of Jesus would be crushed.
As I read the passage again slowly, I listen for anything that You would say to me in it. Help me see how to position my life in order to yield to your word.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it. 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. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
Romans 12:4-8
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love.
Ephesians 4:11-16
Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.
1 Timothy 4:11-16
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
James 3:1
Yielding Prayer
Lord Jesus, you have gifted your Church with teachers who you have granted the gift of communication and application to build up your bride. If you have given me this gift give me clarity on how to best use it for your glory. If I have not been given this gift, would you give me the humility to sit under the teaching of those who you have blessed with this gift? In all things through the preaching and teaching of your Word at Rio may you be glorified and may your people obey and follow you more and more each and every day. Let us see you clearly because of the gift of teaching in our body.
Yielding Promise
And now, as I move into the day ahead, the Lord who loves me reminds me in Matthew 28:
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18-20
Closing Prayer
Come, Holy Spirit. Fill me with love. Fill me with joy. Fill me with peace. Fill me with patience. Fill me with kindness. Fill me with goodness. Fill me with faithfulness. Fill me with gentleness. Fill me with self-control. Let me walk in your Spirit today as I leave here.
*The P.R.A.Y. acronym has been adapted from the Lectio 365 app.