1 Corinthians 12

Spiritual Gifts

A group of young men and young women talking

Paul wrote to the Saints in Corinth to help them recognize their need to be unified in Christ. He taught that if all members would recognize and use the spiritual gifts they had received from the Lord, they could be like the many parts of a body working together in unison. This lesson is intended to help you recognize the spiritual gifts the Lord has given you to bless others and strengthen His Church.

Spiritual gifts. The Lord blesses all members of His Church with spiritual gifts and abilities. Strive to discover, develop, and magnify these spiritual gifts to serve each seminary student, and encourage the students to do likewise.

Student preparation: Invite students to identify one or two spiritual gifts they have been given. They may want to ask family members or other trusted loved ones to help them do this. Ask students to ponder their gifts and how they are using them to bless others.

Possible Learning Activities

Receiving gifts

Consider bringing a gift-wrapped package to class and displaying it during this discussion.

What is a meaningful gift you have received?
What impact did this gift have on your life? What did it allow you to do?
How did you feel about the person who gave you the gift?

As you study 1 Corinthians 12, you will learn about spiritual gifts Heavenly Father gives to His children. Look for why He gives these gifts, and seek inspiration from the Holy Ghost to help you identify a gift you have been given.

The Lord gives us spiritual gifts

“Spiritual gifts are blessings or abilities given by God to His children through the power of the Holy Ghost” (Gospel Topics, “Spiritual Gifts,” topics.ChurchofJesusChrist.org).

Students may benefit from working in groups as they study the following scripture passages. Each group member could read different verses and report to the others in their group what they learned.

Learn about spiritual gifts by reading 1 Corinthians 12:3–11. (Note that the word “severally” in verse 11 means “individually” or “one-by-one.”)

What are some spiritual gifts listed in these verses?

There are many different spiritual gifts. To learn about others, read Moroni 10:8–18; Doctrine and Covenants 46:11–26; and the following statement by Elder Marvin J. Ashton (1915–94) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

Let me mention a few gifts that are not always evident or noteworthy but that are very important … : the gift of asking; the gift of listening; the gift of hearing and using a still, small voice; the gift of being able to weep; the gift of avoiding contention; … the gift of seeking that which is righteous; the gift of not passing judgment; the gift of looking to God for guidance; … the gift of caring for others; the gift of being able to ponder; the gift of offering prayer; the gift of bearing a mighty testimony.

(Marvin J. Ashton, “There Are Many Gifts,” Ensign, Nov. 1987, 20)

After students have had time to study, invite them to share truths they learned about the Lord and the gifts He desires to bless us with.

Who does the Lord bless with these spiritual gifts?
What does this help you to understand about the Lord?

One truth you might recognize is that the Lord gives each member of His Church at least one spiritual gift to bless others with.

Invite students to reflect on their spiritual gifts. If they were invited to do the student preparation for class, invite them to think about the conversation they had with a family member or someone else they talked with about their spiritual gifts.

How do you feel about Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, knowing that They have blessed you with a spiritual gift?
How can knowing you have been given a spiritual gift influence how you view your divine identity?
Why do you think God gives spiritual gifts to every Church member and not to just a few members?

The Lord wants us to bless each other

As students learn about the various parts of the body and how each is needful, consider inviting students to complete a task involving multiple class members, such as moving a large object in the classroom. Another option is to allow students to use only one hand while they work together to build a small structure, tear pieces of paper, or perform another task.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:14–20 to find the comparison Paul used to help us recognize the importance of our individual contributions.

To what does Paul compare the Church in this passage? What does this comparison teach you about spiritual gifts?
How have you been blessed by the spiritual gifts of others?

To see an example of someone who shared their spiritual gifts with others, you could watch the video “With All Your Heart” (3:26), available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org, which tells about a young man who was called to use a gift from the Lord he had only recently discovered. As you watch, pay attention to promptings from the Holy Ghost about how you can use your gifts to bless others.

With All Your Heart
One young man overcomes his fears while magnifying his calling.

Consider inviting a few volunteers to share the spiritual gifts they see in themselves, in classmates, or in other peers, and encourage them to explain how these gifts could bless others. As the teacher, consider if any students would benefit from being told, during class or in private, what spiritual gifts are evident in them.

Ponder how the spiritual gifts you have been given have blessed you and how you can use them to bless your family, ward or branch, and others. You may want to record in your study journal any impressions from the Holy Ghost about your gifts.

Discuss some or all of the following questions or invite students to answer them in their study journals.

What do you think the Lord wants you to understand about yourself and your spiritual gifts?
What encouragement would you give to someone who feels like they don’t have a spiritual gift?
What is a spiritual gift you desire? What can you do to seek that gift? (The Lord has invited us to seek after spiritual gifts; see 1 Corinthians 12:31; 14:1; Doctrine and Covenants 46:7–9.)
What are some ways you can use your spiritual gifts to bless others? How will this help you become more like the Savior?

Invite students to share something they wrote. Consider sharing a personal experience or testimony of spiritual gifts.

Commentary and Background Information

How can I use my spiritual gifts to serve others?

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, shared how we can follow the example of Jesus Christ:

“You Are My Hands”
As disciples of Jesus Christ, our Master, we are called to support and heal rather than condemn.

When I think of the Savior, I often picture Him with hands outstretched, reaching out to comfort, heal, bless, and love. And He always talked with, never down to, people. He loved the humble and the meek and walked among them, ministering to them and offering hope and salvation. 

That is what He did during His mortal life; it is what He would be doing if He were living among us today; and it is what we should be doing as His disciples and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. … 

As we emulate His perfect example, our hands can become His hands; our eyes, His eyes; our heart, His heart. 

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “You Are My Hands,” Ensign or Liahona, May 2010, 68)

Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught:

We receive spiritual gifts in order to bless other people. If our desire is to receive a gift because we want it, we probably will not receive it. As we seek to serve others in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ, then we are blessed with spiritual gifts and increased capacity that make service possible.

(David A. Bednar, in “Understanding Heavenly Father’s Plan,” ChurchofJesusChrist.org/prophets-and-apostles/unto-all-the-world/understanding-heavenly-fathers-plan)

What can I do if I don’t feel like I have an important spiritual gift?

Counsel from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles can be found in the video “Songs Sung and Unsung” (from time code 0:57 to 2:57). This video is available at ChurchofJesusChrist.org.

“Songs Sung and Unsung”
When you’re feeling low and your days are difficult, remember, “the Savior hears the songs you cannot sing. ”Don’t give up. “Believe in yourself and believe in Him.”

Elder John C. Pingree Jr. of the Seventy shared an example of a sister who learned that she had a spiritual gift she had overlooked:

One day, a discouraged sister pleaded, “Lord, what is my personal ministry?” He answered, “Notice others.” It was a spiritual gift! Since then, she has found joy in noticing those who are regularly forgotten, and God has worked through her to bless many. While some spiritual gifts may not be prominent by the world’s standards, they are essential to God and His work.

(John C. Pingree Jr., “I Have a Work for Thee,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2017, 33–34)

What should I do when I feel inadequate for my Church assignments?

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, then of the First Presidency, taught:

You may feel that there are others who are more capable or more experienced who could fulfill your callings and assignments better than you can, but the Lord gave you your responsibilities for a reason. There may be people and hearts only you can reach and touch. Perhaps no one else could do it in quite the same way.

(Dieter F. Uchtdorf, “Lift Where You Stand,” Ensign or Liahona, Nov. 2008, 56)