May 17
Lesson 12
ONE BODY; MANY MEMBERS
DEVOTIONAL READING: Galatians 3:23–29
BACKGROUND SCRIPTURE: 1 Corinthians 12:12–31
1 CORINTHIANS 12:12–31
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.
13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
14 For the body is not one member, but many.
15 If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
16 And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
18 But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.
19 And if they were all one member, where were the body?
20 But now are they many members, yet but one body.
21 And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.
22 Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary:
23 And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked:
25 That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another.
26 And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
28 And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
29 Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
30 Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
31 But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.
KEY VERSE
By one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.
—1 Corinthians 12:13
THE SPIRIT COMES
Unit 3: One in the Bond of Love
LESSONS 11–14
LESSON AIMS
After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:
1. Summarize Paul’s illustration of the church as a body.
2. Illustrate the church’s unity in diversity with examples from the Bible and the present day.
3. Write a note of appreciation to a fellow believer whose spiritual giftedness differs from his or hers.
LESSON OUTLINE
Introduction
A. “My Hair Hurts”
B. Lesson Background
I. Unity Stated (1 CORINTHIANS 12:12–14)
A. Many Formed into One (v. 12)
B. One Formed from Many (vv. 13, 14)
E Pluribus Unum
II. Unity Illustrated (1 CORINTHIANS 12:15–26)
A. No Part Inferior (vv. 15–17)
B. All Parts Designed by God (vv. 18–20)
C. No Part Superior (vv. 21–24)
D. All Care for Each (vv. 25, 26)
III. Unity Practiced (1 CORINTHIANS 12:27–31)
A. Many Gifts (vv. 27, 28)
B. Seven Questions (vv. 29, 30)
C. One Imperative (v. 31)
Maximizers
Conclusion
A. Strength in Variety
B. Prayer
C. Thought to Remember
HOW TO SAY IT
Corinthians
Ko-rin-thee-unz (th as in thin).
Ephesians
Ee-fee-zhunz.
E Pluribus Unum (Latin)
Ee Plur-uh-bas You-num (u in Plur and num as in pull).
Weatherly, Jon et al. “One Body; Many Members.” The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2014–2015. Ed. Ronald L. Nickelson and Jonathan Underwood. Vol. 62. Cincinnati, OH: Standard Publishing, 2014. 317. Print.
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