Men's Bible Study · aligned to Pentecostal / Charismatic
Have the Gifts Stopped? Examining Cessationism in Light of Scripture
The same Spirit who empowered the early church is still at work today—Scripture gives us no expiration date on His gifts, so we pursue them with discernment, hunger, and love.
Review & safety checks
This lesson plan is well-crafted and theologically sound within Pentecostal/Charismatic tradition. The handling of cessationism is fair and scriptural, the teaching logic is clear, and the activity naturally embodies the message. All Scripture citations and verses check out accurately. The plan shows good pastoral sensitivity (e.g., 'never forcing anyone to manifest a gift,' creating safe space for doubt). No plagiarism, theology, or sensitive-material flags detected. Leader notes are thorough and wise. The plan is ready for use.
No theology, sensitivity, or plagiarism issues flagged. Reviewed against the Pentecostal / Charismatic Statement of Faith.
Lesson plan
Welcome the men and open in prayer, asking the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation. Frame tonight's question plainly and honestly: 'Some sincere believers teach that gifts like healing, prophecy, and tongues ceased with the apostles—a view called cessationism. Others believe they continue today. This is an area where godly Christians have disagreed for centuries, so we'll handle it with humility.' State the goal: not to win an argument but to test the question by Scripture and ask what the Spirit wants to do among us. Read 1 Corinthians 13:8-10 aloud together as the anchor text.
Walk the men through four movements. (1) DEFINE THE DEBATE: Cessationists argue the 'sign gifts' served to authenticate the apostles and ceased once the New Testament canon was complete. Continuationists believe the gifts remain available to the whole church. Be fair to both—name the cessationist's real concern: protecting Scripture's final authority and guarding against abuse. We share those concerns. (2) THE KEY TEXT: Examine 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. The gifts pass away 'when the perfect comes.' Ask: what is 'the perfect'? Cessationists sometimes say the completed Bible; but verse 12 says we will then see 'face to face' and 'know fully'—language of meeting Christ Himself. So the gifts continue until His return, not until a book was bound. (3) THE PROMISE'S SCOPE: Acts 2:38-39 says the gift of the Spirit is 'for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls.' That includes us. Hebrews 13:8—Jesus is 'the same yesterday and today and forever'; His Spirit's ministry did not change at the close of the first century. (4) THE COMMAND STILL STANDS: 1 Corinthians 14:1 commands us to 'earnestly desire the spiritual gifts,' and 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 tells us not to quench the Spirit but to test everything. Scripture never issues a recall on these commands. Close the talk by stressing balance: gifts are not for show but for building up the body in love (the whole point of 1 Cor 13).
Move into the discussion questions below. Keep the tone charitable—remind the men that some in their families or workplaces hold the cessationist view sincerely. Draw out where they have personally experienced (or doubted) the Spirit's gifts.
Break into pairs or threes. Each man shares one spiritual gift he senses God may have given him or wants to grow in (encouragement, prophecy, healing prayer, discernment, faith, etc.). Then each pair prays a short prayer over one another—'Lord, stir up this gift; use my brother to build up Your church.' This puts 1 Corinthians 14:1 ('earnestly desire') into immediate, low-pressure practice. Leader circulates and encourages.
Gather back together. Read 1 Thessalonians 5:19 aloud—'Do not quench the Spirit'—and challenge the men to walk out expectant, not passive. Close with a brief prayer inviting the Holy Spirit to work through these men in their homes and workplaces this week.
Discussion questions
- warmupBefore tonight, had you heard the idea that some spiritual gifts may have ceased? Where did you first encounter it?
- warmupWhen you read 'spiritual gifts,' which ones come to mind first—and which ones make you uncomfortable or skeptical?
- digLooking at 1 Corinthians 13:10, what do you think 'the perfect' refers to, and how does verse 12 ('then face to face') help settle the question?
- digActs 2:39 says the promise is for 'all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls.' How does that scope shape whether we expect the Spirit's gifts today?
- digCessationists worry that pursuing gifts opens the door to abuse and undermines Scripture's authority. How does 1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 ('test everything; hold fast what is good') answer that concern without quenching the Spirit?
- applyWhere in your own life might you be 'quenching the Spirit' out of fear, skepticism, or simply being too busy?
- applyWhat is one gift you will earnestly ask God to develop in you this week, and how will you create space for Him to use it?
Scripture
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 (BSB) — Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be restrained; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial passes away.
1 Corinthians 13:12 (BSB) — Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Acts 2:38-39 (BSB) — Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. This promise belongs to you and your children and to all who are far off—to all whom the Lord our God will call to Himself.'
Hebrews 13:8 (BSB) — Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
1 Corinthians 14:1 (BSB) — Earnestly pursue love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21 (BSB) — Do not extinguish the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt, but test all things. Hold fast to what is good.
Leader notes
Prep checklist
- Read all six scripture passages in context before the session, especially 1 Corinthians 12-14.
- Pray that the session is marked by both conviction and charity toward those who hold a cessationist view.
- Be ready to define 'cessationism' and 'continuationism' in plain words for men who have never heard the terms.
- Decide in advance how you'll group the men for the pairs activity (aim for 2-3 per group).
- Anticipate that some men may share doubts or a lack of experience with the gifts—create a safe, non-pressuring atmosphere, never forcing anyone to manifest a gift.
- Keep an eye on the clock; the teaching block is the largest and can easily run long.
- Have a plan to gently redirect if discussion turns into debate or singling out a particular church or person.
Materials
- Bibles (BSB preferred for consistency with quoted texts) or a Bible app
- Printed copies of the six key verses or a slide/whiteboard to display them
- Whiteboard or flip chart to map the 'cessationist vs. continuationist' concerns side by side
- Pens and note cards for the activity (so men can jot the gift they want to pursue)
- A simple timer or phone to keep segments on track
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