SERVE ONE ANOTHER
Opening Prayer
Take a moment to look at your body and rejoice in the way it fits together and works in harmony. See it as God’s creation.
Read 1 Corinthians 12:21–31a
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
21 The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” 22 On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, 23 and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, 24 while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, 25 so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. 26 If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
Love Is Indispensable
And yet I will show you the most excellent way.
New International Version (NIV)
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
Did you ever play the “Would you rather?” game as a child? Which parts of your body would you rather do without?Paul is still with the body theme, but there is a new twist. The parts of the body that seem to be least important are the ones that get the special treatment. In the church the values of the world are turned upside down. No one can be written off as unimportant, because each has a vital part to play.
In our church, everyone notices if the cleaner hasn’t been in, or the event management team haven’t gotten the chairs out, or the tea and coffee team have gone missing. Yes, they also notice if the preacher doesn’t turn up or the worship leader is away and hasn’t bothered to tell anyone. That is church; there are no insignificant people—every role contributes to the wellbeing of the whole and to that of each individual.
When we have a raging toothache, the whole body feels out of sorts. The church should be like that—so deeply involved with one another that if one suffers all suffer. We live in an intensely individual world, where each person looks out for themselves. The church is called to demonstrate a different and better way of living; a theme to which Paul will now turn.
Apply
Think of all the various roles in your church. What are some of the lesser-known roles? Nursery workers, janitorial staff, sound tech? How can you take time to appreciate them this week?
Closing prayer
Thank God for those in your church who faithfully fulfill unseen and unsung roles.
Click here to sign up to receive the EXTRAs via email each quarter.
© 2025 Scripture Union U.S.A. All rights reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the contents without written permission is prohibited.
Discovery is published in the USA under license from Scripture Union England and Wales, Trinity House, Opal Court, Opal Drive, Fox Milne, Milton Keynes, MK15 0DF.