SMALL GROUP Questions & DEVOTIONAL 

WALKING IN YOUR GIFTS

Spiritual gifts represent both God's unmerited grace that saves us and His supernatural power that works through us to help others. Many believers focus only on receiving forgiveness while neglecting the empowerment aspect of God's gift. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-11, Paul outlines nine manifestations of the Holy Spirit, including words of wisdom, knowledge, speaking in tongues, faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, discerning spirits, and interpretation of tongues. These aren't separate gifts we possess but manifestations of the Holy Spirit who lives within us. One common misconception is that we must reach a certain age or maturity level before God can use us. The story of young Samuel in 1 Samuel 3 demonstrates that God can speak through anyone, regardless of age, even during times of spiritual darkness. To walk in your spiritual gifts effectively, you must first recognize God's voice calling you to something higher. Then, receive His gift with a posture of receptivity and surrender, saying 'Speak, Lord, for Your servant hears.' Finally, use your gift boldly, even when it means delivering difficult messages or standing apart from the crowd. God created you to be unique not so you could fit in, but so you could lead others toward Him. Walking in the Spirit often means choosing a different path, saying no when others say yes, and embracing your God-given uniqueness for His purposes.

Questions

Question 1
Pastor Darryl mentioned that every person was created to worship God and be used by Him to manifest gifts in this world. How does this perspective change how you view your purpose?
Question 2
What's the difference between having spiritual gifts and having the Holy Spirit? Why is this distinction important?
Question 3
Pastor Darryl categorized the nine manifestations of the Spirit into three groups: exhorting/speaking gifts, believing/trusting gifts, and sensing gifts. Which category do you feel most drawn to and why?
Question 4
Have there been times when you sensed God calling you to do something but you weren't sure if it was really Him? How did you respond?
Question 5
Pastor Darryl said, "God's Spirit will never talk down to you. He will only call you up." How can we distinguish between conviction from the Holy Spirit and condemnation from other sources?
Question 6
What obstacles or excuses have prevented you from recognizing or using the gifts God has given you?
Question 7
In the story of Samuel, he had to say "Speak, Lord, for your servant hears." What practical steps can we take to better position ourselves to hear God's voice?
Question 8
Pastor Darryl challenged us to ask, "How will you use your God-given gift to advance God's kingdom?" How would you answer this question for yourself right now?

LIFE APPLICATION

This week, take time to intentionally listen for God's voice by setting aside 10 minutes each day for silent prayer. Begin by simply saying, "Speak, Lord, for your servant hears." Then wait expectantly. Write down any impressions, thoughts, or directions you sense God giving you. At the end of the week, review what you've written and identify one specific way you can step out in faith to use a gift or ability God has given you to serve someone else. It might be offering an encouraging word, praying for healing for someone who is sick, or using discernment to help guide a friend. Remember, it's not about being perfect—it's about being available and taking that step forward for Jesus.
Prayer Request

WATCH THE FULL SERMON

DAILY DEVOTIONAL

DAY 1

Created for Worship

Devotional
Have you ever wondered why you're here? What your purpose is? The answer is simpler than you might think. You were created to worship God and to be used by Him in this world. Each of us has been uniquely designed with specific gifts and abilities that, when surrendered to God, can powerfully manifest His presence on earth. Think about it: the Creator of the universe has placed something special inside of you. Not when you're older, not when you're more qualified, not when you feel ready – but right now. The enemy wants you to believe you're too young, too inexperienced, or too flawed to be used by God. But throughout Scripture, we see God using the unlikely, the overlooked, and even the very young. God isn't waiting for you to reach some arbitrary age or achievement before He can use you. He's waiting for your willingness. He's looking for your 'yes.' When we recognize that we were made for worship – not just in song but in how we live our entire lives – everything changes. Our perspective shifts from 'What can God do for me?' to 'How can God use me?'
Bible Verse
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work."

- 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
Reflection Question
What lies has the enemy told you about why God can't use you right now, and how might your life look different if you fully embraced that God created you specifically to worship and serve Him today?
Prayer
Lord, forgive me for the times I've focused more on what You can do for me than how You want to use me. Help me to recognize the unique gifts You've placed within me and give me the courage to use them for Your glory. I want to worship You with my whole life. Amen.

DAY 2


Recognizing God's Voice

Devotional
In a world full of noise, discerning God's voice can be challenging. We're bombarded with messages from social media, friends, family, and our own thoughts. How do we know when God is speaking? The young Samuel faced this same challenge. Living in a time when "the word of the Lord was rare," he heard God's voice but didn't recognize it. It took guidance from Eli to help Samuel understand who was calling him. Like Samuel, many of us hear God's voice but fail to recognize it. We might dismiss it as our imagination or coincidence. Sometimes we need someone with spiritual discernment to help us recognize God's voice in our lives. God speaks in various ways – through His Word, through circumstances, through other believers, and directly to our hearts. But hearing requires listening. How often do we quiet ourselves enough to hear? How often do we approach God not with our list of requests but with a simple, "Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening"? Recognizing God's voice is the first step to walking in your spiritual gifts. You cannot manifest what you cannot hear. Today, create space to listen. Approach God with open hands and an open heart.
Bible Verse
"The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, 'Samuel! Samuel!' Then Samuel said, 'Speak, for your servant is listening.'"

- 1 Samuel 3:10
Reflection Question
When was the last time you approached God without asking for anything, but simply saying, "God, just speak. I'm listening"? What might be preventing you from hearing His voice clearly?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, in the noise of my daily life, help me to recognize Your voice. Tune my ears to hear You and my heart to respond. Remove any distractions that keep me from listening attentively to Your guidance. I want to know Your voice so clearly that I can follow wherever You lead. Speak, Lord, for Your servant is listening. Amen.

DAY 3

Embracing Your Uniqueness

Devotional
God doesn't create duplicates. Each of us is uniquely designed with specific gifts, talents, and callings. Yet so often, we spend our energy trying to fit in rather than standing out in the ways God intended. The pressure to conform is especially strong for young people. There's a constant pull to be part of the "in crowd," to dress, speak, and act like everyone else. But God's design for you was never conformity – it was distinction with purpose. When you embrace your God-given uniqueness, you position yourself not just to follow the crowd but to lead it. This doesn't mean leadership in a prideful sense, but in the sense that your different choices, guided by God, can inspire others to consider a different path. Being different isn't easy. It often means being misunderstood, criticized, or even rejected. But remember, your uniqueness isn't random – it's purposeful. God has equipped you with specific gifts not so you can blend in, but so you can stand out in ways that draw others to Him. Today, instead of hiding what makes you different, celebrate it. Your uniqueness isn't a mistake to be corrected but a gift to be embraced.
Bible Verse
"Now Samuel told him everything and hid nothing from him. And he said, 'It is the LORD. Let Him do what seems good to Him.'"

- 1 Samuel 3:18
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life are you trying to fit in when God might be calling you to stand out? What would it look like to fully embrace your unique gifts and calling, even if it means going against the crowd?
Prayer
God, thank You for making me unique. Forgive me for the times I've tried to hide my differences to fit in. Give me courage to embrace the person You created me to be, even when it means standing alone. Help me to see that my uniqueness is not a burden but a blessing that can be used to lead others to You. Amen.

DAY 4


Reckless Devotion

Devotional
We love to celebrate how crazy God is about us – His reckless love that leaves the ninety-nine to find the one. We marvel at His extravagant grace and overwhelming mercy. But how often do we consider that God desires the same level of devotion from us? What would it look like to be as passionate about God as He is about us? To worship Him not with careful restraint but with abandoned devotion? To serve not when it's convenient but when it costs us something? Reckless devotion means building our lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ, regardless of what others think. It means making decisions based not on cultural norms or personal comfort but on our commitment to Christ. It means teaching our children that church isn't optional and that following Jesus is worth every sacrifice. This kind of devotion often requires stepping over obstacles – the opinions of others, our own fears, or cultural pressures. It means being willing to be different, to be talked about, to be misunderstood for the sake of following Jesus wholeheartedly. Today, consider where God might be calling you to a more reckless devotion. Where have you been holding back? Where have you been playing it safe? What would it look like to follow Him with everything you have?
Bible Verse
"Now the boy Samuel was ministering to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was rare in those days; there was no frequent vision."

- 1 Samuel 3:1
Reflection Question
In what areas of your life have you been giving God careful, measured devotion rather than reckless, wholehearted commitment? What's one step you could take today toward more abandoned devotion to Christ?
Prayer
Jesus, forgive me for the times I've held back in my devotion to You. You gave everything for me, yet I often give You only what's convenient. Ignite in me a passion that doesn't calculate the cost but follows You recklessly. Help me to love You more than anything else in this world and to build my life on the foundation of Your truth. Amen.

DAY 5


Using Your Gifts for God's Glory

Devotional
Many Christians understand that God has given them gifts, but they misunderstand the purpose. Spiritual gifts aren't given primarily for our benefit or even for our fulfillment – they're given so that God may be glorified. The Holy Spirit manifests Himself through us not so everyone can feel good, but so that God feels good. When we use our gifts with the right motivation – to honor God rather than to impress others – something powerful happens. The focus shifts from our performance to God's presence. Unfortunately, many believers either hide their gifts out of fear or misuse them out of pride. Some worry they're not qualified enough, while others become so enamored with their abilities that they forget Who gave them in the first place. Remember that the gifts of the Spirit are just that – gifts. They're not earned through our goodness or achieved through our efforts. They're manifestations of the Holy Spirit working through yielded vessels. Today, consider how you're using the gifts God has given you. Are they sitting dormant out of fear or insecurity? Are they being showcased for personal glory? Or are they being used boldly and humbly for what they were intended – to glorify God and build up His church?
Bible Verse
"All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines."

- 1 Corinthians 12:11
Reflection Question
What spiritual gifts has God placed within you that you might be neglecting or misusing? How might your community be blessed if you began using these gifts with the primary motivation of glorifying God?
Prayer
Holy Spirit, thank You for the gifts You've placed within me. Help me to recognize them, develop them, and use them not for my glory but for Yours. Remove any fear that keeps me from stepping out boldly and any pride that distorts my motivation. I want to be a vessel through which You can work freely to build Your kingdom and glorify Your name. Amen.