God, Spiritual Gifts and Me

What are Spiritual Gifts?

Understand that Spiritual Gifts are given to God’s people when they receive salvation from God through Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit is given as “The Gift”, as promised by scripture, and subsequent gift(s) are given to every believer.

What Spiritual Gifts exist?

1.) Scripture References:

1 Peter 4:10-11 Romans 12:3-8 Ephesians 4:1-13 1 Corinthians 12:1-11

**the lists included in the Bible are not intended to be exhaustive lists.

2.) Compilations of Spiritual Gifts:

Church Growth (www.churchgrowth.org/cgi-cg/gifts.cg)

1. Evangelism
2. Prophecy
3. Teaching
4. Exhortation
5. Pastor/Shepherd
6. Showing Mercy
7. Serving
8. Giving
9. Administration

Willow Creek Community Church : (from Gifts: the joy of serving God, p.38)

1. Administration : ability to organize people, tasks or events to accomplish ministry effectively and efficiently
2. Apostleship : ability to start and oversee new churches and ministries
3. Craftsmanship : ability to design or construct items for ministry
4. Creative Communication : ability to communicate God’s truth through a variety of art forms
5. Discernment : ability to distinguish between truth and error, various motives, or the presence of evil
6. Encouragement : ability to present truth so as to strengthen and comfort those who are wavering
7. Evangelism : ability to effectively communicate the gospel in a compelling way
8. Faith : ability to act on God’s promises with confidence and unwavering belief
9. Giving : ability to contribute resources with great cheerfulness and liberality
10. Healing : ability to be God’s means for moving people toward wholeness
11. Helps (serving): ability to joyfully accomplish practical tasks that serve others and support ministry
12. Hospitality : ability to joyfully create an environment that welcomes others and puts them at ease
13. Intercession : ability to consistently and passionately pray on behalf of others
14. Interpretation : ability to make know the message given by one speaking in tongues
15. Knowledge : ability to bring critical truth to the body of Christ through biblical insight and understanding
16. Leadership : ability to cast vision, motivate, and direct people to collectively accomplish the purposes of God
17. Mercy : ability to cheerfully and practically help those who are suffering
18. Miracles : ability to authenticate ministry through supernatural actions that glorify God
19. Prophecy : ability to relevantly proclaim truth in a way that exposes sin and prompts conviction and repentance
20. Shepherding : ability to nurture and guide people toward spiritual maturity
21. Teaching : ability to clearly explain God’s truth and inspire growth in Christ-followers
22. Tongues : ability to speak or pray in an unknown language
23. Wisdom : ability to apply scriptural insight to specific issues, often in the midst of conflict and confusion.

**The Wesleyan Church believes in the miraculous use of languages and the interpretation of languages in its biblical and historical setting…The Wesleyan Church believes that the use of an ecstatic prayer language has no clear scriptural sanction, or any pattern of establish historical usage in the Church; therefore, the use of such a prayer language shall not be promoted among us. (The Discipline of the Wesleyan Church, p.25)

How do I find out the Spiritual Gift(s) I have?

• Study Scripture
• Prayer
• Seek wisdom from those who know you best
• Begin serving and critique your effectiveness and enthusiasm
• Spiritual Gifts assessment tools:
  a. www.churchgrowth.org/cgi-cg/gifts.cgi
  b. http://www.cforc.com/sgifts.html
• Assess your personal Ministry
  Bell-Curve Personal inventory:
  The bell-shaped curve became a phenomenon in the field of statistics and marketing largely because it represented the life cycle of certain kinds of products. Think of eight-track tapes. Introduced in the 60’s, they became the rage for music lovers everywhere. By the end of the 70’s, however, they were in deep descent. And today…?
  Unfortunately, there are many believers whose charts read like a bell-shaped curve when it comes to Christian service. They start off strong, but over time there is a leveling off, then a little decline, and a little more. Many end up where they started—on the bench. The question begs to be asked, “Why?” What causes a servants decline? What makes people drop out?” (Gifts: the joy of serving God, p.97)
  
  Ask questions about your service!
• Am I running on the wrong fuel? (see handout “10 wrong uses of the gifts”)
• Am I suffering from the wrong fit? Are you consistently serving outside your giftedness area?
• Are you committed to too much service? Do you say, “I’d rather burn out than rust out”? Either way, you’re out.

Every Believer is a Minister

We are created for ministry
-Ephesians 2:10

We are saved for ministry
-2 Timothy 1:9

We are called into ministry
-1 Peter 2:9-10

We are gifted for ministry
-1 Peter 4:10

We are authorized forministry
-Matthew 28:18-20

We are commanded to minister
-Matthew 20:26-28

We are to be prepared for ministry
-Ephesians 4:11-12

We are needed for ministry
-1 Corinthians 12:27

We are accountableand will be rewarded according to our ministry.
-Colossians 3:23-24

God desires to use you!

S—Spiritual Gifts

H—Heart (passion)

A—Abilities

P—Personality

E—Experiences

ministry opportunities

Email this page to a friend