Big Idea: God sets the order of service for his church.  It’s up to us to keep it orderly.

1 Corinthians 14:26-40

What then, brothers and sisters? Whenever you come together, each one has a hymn, a teaching, a revelation, a tongue, or an interpretation. Everything is to be done for building up. If anyone speaks in a tongue, there are to be only two, or at the most three, each in turn, and let someone interpret. But if there is no interpreter, that person is to keep silent in the church and speak to himself and God. Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should evaluate. But if something has been revealed to another person sitting there, the first prophet should be silent. For you can all prophesy one by one, so that everyone may learn and everyone may be encouraged. And the prophets’ spirits are subject to the prophets, since God is not a God of disorder but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints, the women should be silent in the churches, for they are not permitted to speak, but are to submit themselves, as the law also says. If they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home, since it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church. Or did the word of God originate from you, or did it come to you only? If anyone thinks he is a prophet or spiritual, he should recognize that what I write to you is the Lord’s command. If anyone ignores this, he will be ignored. So then, my brothers and sisters, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything is to be done decently and in order.

I. If prophecy is so important, why do so many people want to speak in tongues?

II. If someone is speaking in tongues and no one is around to interpret, what should I do?

III. What is the "purpose" of praying in tongues?

IV. Why do some people accept 1-2 gifts but reject the others?  Are they a package deal?

V. Because you spoke a word of prophecy, does that give you the title “prophet”?

Next Steps: 

• Believe: I need the Holy Spirit to give me the gift of new life today.
• Become: I will learn or develop my spiritual gift(s) this week. 
• Be Sent: I will use my spiritual gift to grow Jesus’s Kingdom.

Discussion Questions: 

1. Where or to whom do you look when you are confused about spiritual issues?
2. Who do you turn to first? Why?
3. How can you tell if someone speaking in tongues is genuine?
4. How confident are you that your source for answers aligns completely with the Bible?
5. When is the last time you heard a word of prophecy?  What made you certain it was prophecy?
6. What would you say to someone who is using their spiritual gift to draw attention or praise to themself?
7. Pray for the Holy Spirit to help you push back darkness this week.