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Christians tend to develop a cookie-cutter image of how a super saint should look and act. But the New Testament epistles refute that notion, calling for a unity based on the rich diversity custom-designed by an infinite Creator. When these individual abilities are pooled, the result is stunning and powerful.

Romans 12:3-8

1. What (v. 6) has God given you the ability to do well
   
   
2. Following Paul's urging that your self-evaluation be honest (v. 3), what are a couple of things that are not strengths for you?
   
   
3. Is it a relief to you to understand (v. 5) that each of us "has different work to do"? Why or why not?
   
   
4. Why should you be thankful for people whose gifts are different from your own?
   
   
5. Why could one person never embody all the gifts mentioned in verses 6b-8? Why would an assertive prophet likely make a good counselor? Why might a generous giver fail as a leader?
   
   
6. How could your strengths balance the weaknesses of a fellow believer? How could his abilities make up for your deficiencies?
   
   
7. How is each gift mentioned (vv. 6b-8) to be harnessed? Why might God expect you to use the abilities he's given you in his service, as opposed to using them to advance personal success?
   
   

Thank God for the varied gifts he's bestowed on members of his Church. Ask him to enable you to contribute effectively through the ways he's gifted you.

Romans 12:3-8

3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning: Don't think you are better than you really are. Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us. 4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, 5 so it is with Christ's body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.

6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you. 7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, teach well. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging. If it is giving, give generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.

Copyright © 2009 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.

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Prayer for the Week

Thank you for the way you created me. Please help me understand how your design should affect my career and service choices.

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