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In this 6-part audio series, a pastor from the charismatic movement helps us examine the mysterious and controversial spiritual gift of "speaking in tongues".
Adapted from this blog at Cross Culture Church in Chicago.
Topic #1
Key Points:
- Speaking in tongues is a non-rational form of communication between our spirit and God. 1 Corinthians 14:14-15
- Generally, we’re uncomfortable with things we can’t control or fully explain – and tongues is in that category.
- Speaking in tongues is spiritually valuable for those who have the gift. 1 Corinthians 14:5
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Have you ever seen or heard someone speaking tongues? What was it like? How did you react initially? On a scale of 1-10, how “weird” did (or does) it seem to you?
- Do you have the “gift” of tongues? If so, describe how it works in your life.
- Read 1 Corinthians 14:5. Why do you think Paul said this? What value did tongues bring to Paul and the early Christians?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
Topic #2
Key Points:
- Speaking in tongues is a good gift that is to be desired. 1 Corinthians 14:18
- Speaking in tongues builds us up spiritually. 1 Corinthians 14:4
- Public speaking in tongues must be interpreted in order for it to be “in order”. 1 Corinthians 14:5
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Which of the four points above was most surprising to you? Explain.
- What does it mean that tongues is a “non-rational” form of communication with God? Make a list of the more “rational” forms.
- How does speaking in tongues “build up” a person? How does prophecy and teaching “build up” others?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
Topic #3
Key Points:
- Paul would rather say almost nothing at all in church to instruct others than he would speak, pray or sing for hours in tongues. 1 Corinthians 14:19
- Being in a church setting means being focused first on the Lord, and then on building up others. 1 Corinthians 14:3
- Speaking in tongues in a corporate setting is fundamentally unloving if it does not help your spiritual siblings in Christ. 1 Corinthians 14:16
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Explain how tongues is not usually an “other-centered” gift for the church.
- Make a list of some other things churches do that are not other-centered. What should we do about it?
- Sometimes preaching, like speaking in tongues, is “oral communication not understandable to others”. Do you agree? Give some examples. What do you think Paul would say about this?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
Topic #4
Key Points:
- Paul provides two options for properly exercising tongues: do it publicly with an interpreter or do it privately for your own edification.
- Paul is dealing with a congregation that had a misunderstanding of, and overemphasis on, speaking in tongues.
- Paul’s insights for a church that does not express tongues at all might be somewhat different.
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Have you ever heard an interpretation of tongues? If so, describe it.
- Which seems more mysterious to you: speaking in tongues or interpreting? Explain.
- Why does Paul require interpretation of tongues in a public gathering?
- When is interpretation of tongues unnecessary?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
Topic #5
Key Points:
- Paul says that the Spirit Himself intercedes through us according to God’s will, and this might include praying in tongues. Romans 8:26-27
- Tongues is a form of strategic weaponry that aids believers in their ‘wrestling’ against hostile cosmic powers. Ephesians 6:18
- Jude writes about praying in the Holy Spirit, which may be referring to tongues. Jude 20
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Read Romans 8:26-27. Do you think this could be referring to tongues? Defend your answer.
- Read Ephesians 6:18 and Jude 20. Do you think “praying in the Spirit” might be referring to tongues? If so, is that the only way to “pray in the Spirit”? Explain.
- Are there other places in the Bible that refer to the gift of tongues? Make a list.
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
Topic #6
Key Points:
- You are not a ‘second-class’ Christian if you have not yet experienced the gift of tongues.
- You can still be led by the Spirit in prayer even if you don’t pray in tongues.
- Every believer can renew an “earnest desire” for tongues as an expression of the Spirit’s generosity. 1 Corinthians 14:1
Talk About It
- What is your initial reaction to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Do you have the gift of tongues? If so, how did you receive it. If not, have you ever prayed for it? Explain.
- How might the gift of tongues be spiritually valuable to a person? How might it be misused?
- What are some of the other gifts of the Spirit? Make a list. Can those gifts be misused? Explain.
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
