Mosaic: The Scary Subject of Prophecy (4)1 Corinthians 14:1-12, Week of Feb 25, 2018

Bay Park Life Groups – Leader

Christian prophecy is more about forth-telling the mind of God than foretelling the time of God.

~ from the sermon

The term ‘reveal’ (apokalypto) . . .indicates that it is a specific revelatory [revealing] activity of the Holy Spirit . . .

Paul pictures some kind of process whereby the prophet is spontaneously made aware of something that he/she feels God has caused him/her to think about.

~ Wayne Grudem

Opening up the topic of prophecy is like trying to untangle headphones. It’s a theme that runs all throughout Scripture but in every instance it is not referring to exactly the same thing. In the Old Testament, prophets spoke and wrote the very words of God as if God were speaking directly through them. In the New Testament, however, it is the Apostles who take on this role. Prophets in the early church (and the church today) do not speak the very words of God; instead they speak their own words in an effort to explain something God has impressed upon their hearts and minds.

Warming Up

1. Aside from Harold Camping what are some other apocalyptic/end of the world prophecies that have gone around in recent years?

Leaders, this Wiki list may be of interest: End of World Predictions

2. What are some of the factors that may have contributed to all of these false prophecies?

Some ideas• The changing moral climate and being pushed to the fringe of society cause some

Christians to “fight back” or suspect Jesus is returning• Trying to interpret prophetic/apocalyptic texts in Scripture (i.e.: Ezekiel,

Revelation) too literally• A good intention to see Jesus’ Return; comes out in all the wrong ways

Digging In

3. Take a moment to look at the pictures/slides on the back page of the sheet (they are on the participant sheets as well). Together as a group try to summarize the content of the sermon. If anyone in your group did not hear the sermon take this as an opportunity to catch them up to speed.

Read 1 Corinthians 14:1-12.

4. What are the Apostle Paul’s reasons for arguing that prophecy is “greater” than tongues? What is meant by “greater?”

• Tongues are unintelligible to non-Christians and even other Christians; they can create chaos if not interpreted; they edify self and not others.

• Prophecy is intelligible to both Christians/non-Christians; it can be shared in an ordered and structured way during church gatherings; it clarifies, comforts, encourages, challenges and brings others to repentance.

• Greater = that which is more effective for building up the church.

Read 1 Corinthians 14:24-25; 29-33. Read Wayne Grudem’s quote (top of guide).

5. Hearing Paul’s description of Christian prophecy, as well as Grudem’s definition…

• Would you say you have ever had a prophetic experience? • Have you ever heard someone share a prophecy that fits this description? • What was the outcome?

Read 1 Corinthians 14:1; 39-40.

6. Paul encourages Christians to eagerly desire prophecy. Brainstorm ways you could see prophecy utilized in an encouraging and edifying way at Bay Park. What about in your personal life?

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:19-22.

7. Based on this passage and everything that has been discussed so far… in your own words, why is it important to “test” prophecies (sift through them)?

Driving It Home

8. What are some of the various ways and methods throughout history where the gift of prophecy has been utilized?

• Prayer ministry; knowing when to pray through some inner prompting; know what to pray even though it was not shared with you

• Having a fellow Christian share something with you (out of the blue!) that was exactly what you needed to hear

• Writers who have had keen insight into Scripture and culture — i.e. Lesslie Newbigin

• Evangelists who reach deep into the hearts of unbelievers — i.e. Billy Graham • The Pentecostal/Charismatic movement that has swept across Africa • Christians who have lived crazy faithful lives and challenged the apathetic status

quo (or even corruption) of the church — i.e.: Shaine Claiborne, Francis Chan, Heidi Baker

Due to it’s complex nature this week we have only discussed one spiritual gift, but we’re now going to add two more into the mix:

• Prophecy → Ability to make God’s heart known and to edify the church. This gift is for the benefit of both believers and unbelievers and is a sign that God is truly among His church. Those with this gift are sensitive to both the prompting of the Holy Spirit and the needs of the church body. (cf. 1 Cor. 14:22-25; Rom. 12:6, 1 Cor. 12:10, 14:1-5, Eph. 4:11-12, 1 Pet. 4:10-1)

• NEW! Evangelism → Evangelists are given the unique ability by the Holy Spirit to clearly and effectively communicate the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others. They are burdened in their hearts for the lost and will go out of their way to share the truth with them. Evangelists are able to overcome the normal fear of rejection and engage non-believers in meaningful conversations about Jesus. (cf. Eph. 4:11, Acts 8:5-12, 26-40, 21:8, Matt. 28:18-20.)

• NEW! Exhortation/Encouragement → The Greek word for this gift is Parakaleo. It means to beseech, exhort, call upon, to encourage and to strengthen. The Spirit of God gives this gift to people in the church to strengthen and encourage those who are wavering in their faith. Those with the gift of exhortation can uplift and motivate others as well as challenge and rebuke them in order to foster spiritual growth and action. (cf. Titus 1:9; Rom. 12:8, Acts 11:23-24; 14:21-22; 15:32.

9. If comfortable… Scale of 1 to 10 (1 = definitely not my thing; 10 = completely confident I am gifted in this way), how likely is it that you…

• …have the gift of prophecy?• …have the gift of evangelism?• …have the gift of exhortation or encouragement?• Would you be able to affirm or push back on anyone’s ranking of

themselves? in other words, Are there people in your LG you believe might have one of these gifts?

Leaders: You’re trying to foster healthy conversations, helping the individuals in your group consider how God has gifted them. The scale does not need to be rigid, and it’s just an idea. If it is not working well you could also change the question. Perhaps ask if anyone believes they have any of those four gifts, and to share why they suspect they

may have one of the four. If nobody is comfortable discussing themselves, you can ask them to think of examples of people they know who have these gifts.