How can you support those with gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:28? Setting the Stage: The Church as One Body “Now you are the body of Christ, and each of you is a member of it.” (1 Corinthians 12:27) Because Scripture is accurate and literal, every gift God lists is both real and indispensable. When we support gifted believers, we’re caring for Christ’s own body. Identifying the Gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:28 “God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, then those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.” • Apostles (church planters, missionaries) • Prophets (Spirit-led speakers of timely truth) • Teachers • Workers of miracles • Those with gifts of healing • Helpers • Administrators • Speakers of various tongues Why Our Support Matters • 1 Corinthians 12:22-26 reminds us that when one member suffers or is honored, all share in it. • Ephesians 4:16 shows that every joint supplies what the body needs “as each part does its work.” Practical Ways to Support Apostles and Modern Pioneers • Pray deliberately for open doors (Colossians 4:3). • Provide financial backing and logistical help for trips, materials, and family needs (Philippians 4:15-18). • Offer hospitality when they’re home (3 John 5-8). • Share updates with the congregation so their labor stays visible. Coming Alongside Prophets • Test everything by Scripture (1 Thessalonians 5:20-21) and affirm what is true. • Invite them to speak in small groups where discernment and feedback are healthy. • Protect them from isolation; prophetic voices often feel alone. • Encourage humility and accountability; pair them with shepherd-elders. Encouraging Teachers • Supply solid study tools—commentaries, software, time away for preparation. • Attend classes faithfully and apply what you learn (James 1:22). Nothing fuels a teacher like responsive students. • Give constructive feedback, not just compliments. • Free them from unnecessary tasks so they can “devote themselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word” (Acts 6:4). Standing with Miracle-Workers and Healers • Provide prayer covering before, during, and after ministry times (Mark 9:29). • Offer practical support—venues, prayer teams, follow-up care for those touched. • Celebrate documented answers to prayer; public testimony builds faith (Revelation 12:11). • Guard against celebrity culture; direct all glory to Christ (Acts 3:12-13). Uplifting Helpers • Notice and thank them publicly—many serve behind the scenes (Romans 16:1-2). • Give clear assignments and the resources to carry them out. • Rotate volunteers to prevent burnout; helpers often say yes until exhausted. • Invite them into decision-making meetings so their practical insight is heard. Strengthening Administrators • Share vision and goals; administrators excel when objectives are clear (Habakkuk 2:2). • Trust their systems—support compliance and follow-through. • Fund the necessary tools: software, office space, volunteers. • Encourage spiritual growth alongside organizational duties; administration is a spiritual gift, not just a skill. Honoring Speakers of Various Tongues • Provide sound teaching on the purpose and practice of tongues (1 Corinthians 14). • Create room in gatherings for biblically ordered expression, with interpretation when corporate (1 Corinthians 14:27-28). • Celebrate private prayer in tongues as edifying (1 Corinthians 14:4) while guiding corporate use. • Protect unity—different experiences should deepen love, not division. A Heart Check: Keeping Unity and Humility • Remember Romans 12:3—“Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought.” • Practice 1 Peter 4:10—serve “as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” • Cultivate mutual honor; each gift reflects a facet of Christ. Putting It into Practice This Week • Choose one gifted person you know in each category (or as many as you can) and send a note or text of encouragement. • Volunteer two hours to lighten a helper’s workload. • Give a financial gift—large or small—to a missionary or church planter. • Pray through the list daily, naming individuals, and watch how the body of Christ grows stronger when every gift is supported. |
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