It was a great night tonight in THP Students! We kicked the night off with a powerful time of worship then transitioned into our lesson. I was super excited about tonight’s teaching because tonight we had a guest speaker, our Associate Pastor, Pastor Matt Moreno! Below you will find Pastor Matt’s notes from this evening then followed behind are a few next step questions for parents and students to go over.

The Lesson

Gift of the Prophetic

• The prophetic gift is given by the Father, through the Holy Spirit, to point people to Jesus. Ephesians 1:17, Revelation 19:10, 1 Corinthians 12:5-7
• The motivation of all things prophetic is “Love”.  1 Corinthians 13:2
• The prophetic edifies (instruct, build up), exhort (urge strongly, urgent appeal), comforts (comfort) 1 Corinthians 14:3

I Corinthians 12:1  Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 

• “Gift” is used as a fill word so things make sense, “stuff” or “things” would be acceptable.
• Paul is addressing these things because the believers in Corinth were hungry for spiritual stuff (1 Corinthians 14:12)

I Corinthians 12:4-6  There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

• Recognition of “gifts”, charisma – a spiritual endowment, a free gift.
• Ministries (Administrations)
• Activities (Operations) 

I Corinthians 12:7-11  But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

Misconceptions

1 To Prophesy Does Not Mean You Are A Prophet!

• Jesus gave the authority, “offices” if you will, to some in Ephesians 4:11&12  for the  equipping of all the saints (saved people) for the working of ministry and the building up of Jesus’ church.

2   Prophecy Is Not Interpretation Of Tongues.

I Corinthians 14:5&6  I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. 6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking with tongues, what shall I profit you unless I speak to you either by revelation, by knowledge, by prophesying, or by teaching?

• Tongues, 1 Corinthians 12:10 – glossa (gloce-sah’); of uncertain affinity; the tongue; by implication, a language (specifically, one naturally unacquired):
• (Note – Romans 8:26-28, different type of tongues, “prayer language”)
• Prophecy (3 forms)

• 1 Corintians 12:10, 13:2&8, 14:6,22, – propheteia (prof-ay-ti’-ah); prediction
• Acts 19:6, 1 Corinthians 13:9, 14:1,3,4,5,24 – propheteuo (prof-ate-yoo’-o) to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office 
• Both are from – prophetes (prof-ay’-tace); to foretell events, divine, speak under inspiration, exercise the prophetic office:

3. To Prophesy is not the same as to Preach.

• Preach/prophesy two different Greek words… Preach 

‘announce good news’. ”Go into all the world…” Mark 16:15-17

Why Is The Prophetic Important?

1. It was important and normal in the Early Church
2. It is a significant gift
3. It has power to convince,  convict, and reveal the heart

• We should desire the prophetic gift, not tolerate it.

1 Corinthians 14:39 Therefore, brethren, desire earnestly to prophesy, and do not forbid to speak with tongues.

Guardrails For The Prophetic

• Check your heart/motives
• Should have no agendas
• Should be bathed in love
• Should only be exercised with self-control, Proverbs 25:28
• Accountability is a must, 1 Corinthians 14:32
• Discern (distinguish between) Holy Spirit and you, Proverbs 30:5&6
• Avoid personal interpretation
• Be careful with; dates, mates, direction, and “thus saith the Lord”
• Know the difference between weak prophecy and false prophecy
• Test the Word, 1 Thessalonians 5:19-2
• Know that we prophesy in part, 1 Corinthians 13:9
• Be Patient.  We do not base our lives on prophetic words or gifts but on Jesus.
• In order to mature in the prophetic gift, we must mature in His Word!

Parent Questions

1. Why do you think love is the most important motivation for using any spiritual gift?
2. What is one way you can grow in hearing and discerning God’s voice?
3. Who can you go to for accountability when learning to use spiritual gifts wisely?