The Gifts Still Work Today
Month 9: The Spirit's Power for Witness · Why We Believe
Today's Scripture
Read together: 1 Corinthians 12:1-3
1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I inform you that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
Memory Verse
“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”— 1 Corinthians 12:7 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Psalms 106-108
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 257 of 365 — Israel's failures and God's stubborn, steadfast love.)The Heart of It
Paul opens this chapter with a clear wish. He says, "Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be uninformed" (). He wanted believers to understand the gifts, not ignore them. Some people today say the gifts of the Spirit stopped after the first apostles died. They say healing, prophecy, and tongues were only for back then. But where does the Bible ever say that? Nowhere. The promise from Acts is wide open. "The promise is to you and to your children" (). The Spirit who poured out gifts at Pentecost is the same Spirit living in the church right now. And He has not changed ().
Paul also gives us a built-in test, so the gifts stay safe and true. He says nobody speaking by God's Spirit will curse Jesus. And "no one can say, 'Jesus is Lord,' except by the Holy Spirit" (12:3). That's the key. Real gifts always lift up Jesus. If something points to itself, or to a flashy person, or away from Christ, the Spirit isn't behind it. So we believe the gifts still work today. And we also stay wise. We test everything by whether it honors Jesus, agrees with Scripture, and helps people. Real faith isn't gullible. And it isn't fearful. It is confident and careful.
Around the Table
The Holy Spirit still helps God's children in amazing ways today. He didn't stop! And He always helps us love Jesus more.
Let's do it: Say together, "Holy Spirit, You are still working today!"
Anything truly from the Spirit will always honor Jesus (12:3). That's how we tell what's real.
Let's talk: Why is "Does it point to Jesus?" a good test for anything that claims to be from God?
No verse says the gifts ended. In fact, the promise is for us and for our children. So we stay open to the gifts, and we stay careful too. We test everything by whether it honors Jesus.
Let's go deeper: How can a person believe the gifts are real today without becoming gullible or chasing hype?
💬 Conversation Starter
If a friend said, "God doesn't do miracles anymore," what is one true, kind thing you could say back?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
When someone says, "The miracle gifts ended with the apostles," you can gently reply. "Where does the Bible say that? It actually says the promise of the Spirit is for us and our children too (). The same Spirit is still here." Then add the test that keeps it safe. Anything truly from God will honor Jesus (). Say it with the gentleness and respect of . You're inviting a friend in, not winning a fight.
For Dad · Go Deeper
Cessationism is the belief that the miraculous gifts have ceased. It is usually built from silence, not from any text that actually says, "These will stop now." The continuationist case rests on the plain reading. The New Testament expects the gifts to function until Jesus returns (; 13:8-12), and stretches the promise across generations. But notice the pastoral guardrail in verse 3. The Spirit's signature is always the exaltation of Christ. Teach your kids both halves. Be expectant, because God still moves. And be discerning, testing it by Jesus and Scripture. That balance protects them from cold skepticism on one side and reckless hype on the other.
Draws on: Robert Menzies, Pentecost: This Story Is Our Story.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, thank You that Your Spirit is still alive and at work today. Make us open to all You want to do. Make us wise to test everything by Jesus. Keep us from fear and from foolishness. In Jesus' name, amen."
The Spirit who moved at Pentecost still moves today. And everything He does lifts up Jesus.