Happy three years of the AfterWord! 

Another special guest joins us to share their journey of understanding spiritual gifts. Together, we explore how they can be used, the tensions that may arise, and how, in the end, these gifts draw our eyes to God.

Before moving onto the next chapter of 1 Corinthians, we pause to do a deep dive into each of the gifts mentioned by Paul. What are they, and how can they be used at The Town Church? 

This passage in 1 Corinthians raises some challenging but important questions. With the help of a special guest, we take time to wrestle with these tough topics while bringing the focus back to God’s character. 

• How should we define prophecy? 
• How do we weigh / discern prophecy? 
• Do verses 34 and 35 apply to single women? 

God is a God of peace and order, and our worship ought to reflect who He is.

In this passage, Paul instructs the Corinthian church in orderly worship

Paul exhorts the Corinthian church to earnestly desire the gifts -- so what has this looked like for each of us?

This week, we discuss tongues and prophecy in the corporate gathering and welcome a special guest who shares both wisdom and pieces of her own story.

The gifts of prophecy and tongues are given by God for the good of the church.

Paul shows how they are to be practiced, always grounded in love, so that the whole body is encouraged and strengthened.

We often look at 1 Corinthians 13 without thinking of the surrounding context. At its core, this passage encourages the Corinthian church to exercise spiritual gifts in a way that is rooted in love. 

Our conversation begins with one important question: How does love practically play out in unity and not only in uniformity?

Other questions:

• How do you not insist on your own way while holding tightly to conviction?
• How is this description of love different from what our culture tells us? 
• How does this love differ from romantic love?

In this well-known passage, Paul tells the Corinthian church that if they want unity to last, it all comes down to one thing: love.

God appoints the gifts that the Church needs, and Paul reminds us of this truth in 1 Corinthians 12.

This week, we dig deeper into these "higher gifts" and explore how they ultimately point toward unity.

Some of the questions we consider include:

• What does unity really mean? 
• How can we remain unified even when we land in different places regarding the gifts?
• Do individuals have gifts of healing and miracles?

The gifts listed in this passage are appointed to and needed by the Church today. 

How are we supposed to use these gifts for the common good of the Church?