Discover Your Spiritual Gifts

Did you know that every Christian is given certain "spiritual gifts".  We call them spiritual gifts because they are much more than talents.  Many people are talented in certain areas--music and the arts, math and sciences, etc.--but a spiritual gift is a special ability given by the Holy Spirit inteded for us to use in service to the church and others.  This lesson is designed to help you understand the various gifts.  We hope that you will begin to determine which gifts you may have, and use them for good.

What can we learn about Spiritual Gifts? 

 

 Begin by reading 1 Corinthians 12

  • As a church, we function like parts of the human body. Each of us has different gifts and plays a different role, but we work together to accomplish a single purpose. (vs. 4-6)
  • There are many gifts with a variety of functions. But God is the one who gives the gifts. (vs. 6)
  • There is no room for half-hearted service. (vs. 15-19)
  • The gift of God's grace is no cause for undue pride. He calls each of us to have an accurate assessment of ourselves. (vs.21-26)
  • We are to use our gifts "for the common good" to help others (Vs 7)
  • We are expected to "do good works" (Hebrews 6:10, Matthew 5:16, Ephesians 2:10, Colossians 3:23)
  • Here is survey you can take to get an idea what some of your spiritual gifts may be.  This survey does not include all the spiritual gifts listed in this study
  • . Spiritual Gifts Inventory

 

 

 

List of Spiritual Gifts

Ephesians 4

Romans 12

I Corinthians 12

Apostles

Prophesying

Wisdom

Prophets

Serving

Knowledge

Evangelists

Teaching

Faith

Pastors

Giving

Healing

Teachers

Leading

Miracles

 

Giving

Prophecy

 

Exhortation

Distinguishing Spirits

 

Showing Mercy

Languages

 

 

Interpretation of Languages

Definition of the Gifts

Facilitating Gifts

1. Administration: The coordination and fulfillment of the outreach plans of the church.

2. Leader: The ability to give direction, organization and motivation to the body of believers. Leaders make sure that the church is working to fulfill both the cultural and evangelistic mandates of Scripture.

3. Teacher: Helps people learn and respond to the truths of the gospel. It is the ability to share the basic truths of the kingdom of God with clarity and insight.      

4. Giving: The gift of generosity

Ministering Gifts

1. Serving:  The ability to see the needs and meet them.  It is Christian ministry with attention to charity and physical needs.

2. Helping: The ability to assist others with their life struggles.

3. Showing Mercy: Compassion.

4. Pastoral Care: Keeps track of people and their needs, joys, and sorrows, and finding an appropriate way to respond to those needs.

Sign Gifts

1. Distinguishing of Spirits: Discernment.  The ability to discriminate between what is genuine and what is counterfeit.

2. Faith: This is not "saving faith".  But faith which works wonders.  

3. Healing, Miracles: Openness and confidence that enables the power of God to operate through the person.

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It is interesting that throughout history the "sign" gifts are seen mostly when the gospel has been introduced among a new people for the first time.

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Communication Gifts

1. Exhortation: Encouragement.  The skill to encourage, comfort and strengthen through inspiration.

2. Prophesy: Proclamation of God's message or interpretation of God's truth for a given occasion and for the individuals concerned. (Luke 13:33-34, 4:21-24, 7:39; Mark 1:22ff, I Cor. 14:29; I Thess. 5:19 ff; I John 4:1)

3. Wisdom: Insight and comprehension of the deep things of God.

4. Knowledge: The use of reason and the communication of facts.

5. Tongues (languages): The ability to learn and utilize a new language for communicating the gospel. LEARN MORE

6. Interpretations of tongues (languages): The ability to communicate to people who cannot understand the original language.

Church Growth

1. Evangelist: The ability to lead others to Christ. Not all Christians have the gift of evangelism, but all Christians are to be witnesses and develop their ability to share their faith.

2. Apostle: "Missionary"; the ability to pioneer new ministries on new frontiers. The gift of cross-cultural ministry in local churches. Church planting.

 

What do we mean by the Fruit of the Spirit?  

 

The "Fruit of the Spirit" is very different than "gifts".  The Bible teaches that every believer is to produce fruit in his life. 

  • Galatians 5:22-23  says "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control."
  • All Christians are called to "bear Fruit" Galatians 5:22-23; Ephesians 5:8-9 
  • The evidence of being Spirit filled is that we bear fruit. According to the   Galatians 5:22-23 & 1 Corinthians 13, the only real evidence of being filled with the Spirit is that we put into practice love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. In fact, I Corinthians 13 declares that a person can display a variety of spiritual gifts, but without love those gifts are useless.
  • Note that the Bible says "fruit". Not "fruits". You cannot pick a few items from the list and forget the others. 
  • It is only possible to bear fruit through the help and power of the Holy Spirit.