Spiritual Gifts Overview

1. Administration: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of Christ to organize, delegate, and motivate people in such a way that what needs to be done gets done.

    

2. Serving (Arts/Crafts): The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of Christ who possess the artistic ability and creativity to enhance and build up the Kingdom within the church in this supportive role.

    

3. Evangelism: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of Christ to present the Gospel especially to those who are not a part of the Body of Christ.

    

4. Exhortation: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of Christ to bring words of comfort and consolation, encouragement and counsel to other members of the Body of Christ in such a way that they are helped and healed.

    

5. Faith: The divine endowment of vision given to certain members of the Body of Christ; the ability to see something that needs to be done and believe that God will do it even if it looks impossible.

    

6. Giving: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of Christ to contribute with extraordinary generosity of their material resources to the work of the Lord.

    

7. Serving (General): The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of Christ to work within the church in any supportive role, and to make it possible for others to carry out the ministry of the Word.

    

8. Serving (Manual Arts): The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of Christ to use their hands in practical ways to make it possible for others to carry out the ministry of the Word.

    

9. Hospitality: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of Christ to willingly open their homes to others, and cheerfully offer lodging, food, and fellowship.

    

10. Intercession: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of Christ to pray earnestly and with persistence, knowing that there will be positive effects in building the Kingdom as a result.

     

11. Knowledge: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of Christ to understand correctly and to communicate clearly the great truths God has hidden in His Word.

     

12. Leadership: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of Christ to oversee various aspects of the work of the church in such a way that their vision and example serve as inspiration for others to follow.

     

13. Showing Mercy: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of Christ to feel genuine compassion for suffering individuals and to translate that compassion into Christ like deeds that are cheerfully done to help alleviate the suffering.

     

14. Music (Vocal): The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of Christ to use skillfully their voices in raising praises to God, especially in the corporate worship service.

     

15. Shepherding: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of Christ that enables them to assume an ongoing personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare of another Christian or group of Christians.

     

16. Writing: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of Christ to inform, encourage, instruct, or entertain readers clearly, effectively, and concisely with the written word.

     

17. Wisdom: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of Christ to relate and apply the truths of the Word to specific needs and problems of life.

     

18. Music (Instrumental): The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of Christ to play skillfully a musical instrument in praise of God, especially in the corporate worship service.

     

19. Teaching: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of Christ to explain clearly and apply effectively the truth of the Word of God so that others may learn and profit.

As you reflect on the spiritual gifts you have tentatively discovered through the Spiritual Gifts Discovery Tool, you will now want to find which ones truly are and which are not your gifts. To do this you might want to follow what has been called the "Five E's" of gift discovery . . .

1. Explore the possibilities. This you can do by studying again for yourself the three key spiritual gift chapters in Scripture-1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12:1-8, and Ephesians 4:1-16.

    

2. Experiment with as many as possible. If you do not try a particular gift you have tentatively discovered through the Spiritual Gifts Discovery Tool, you will have a hard time knowing whether you have it or not. Volunteer to serve in an area of congregational work that can put your tentative gift into practice. The key is to get involved, if possible, with each tentative gift area.

    

3. Examine your feelings. When you experiment with a gift and enjoy using it, that is a good sign. You should find a measure of fulfillment in your service. It is a joyous thing to serve the Lord with one's gifts.

    

4. Evaluate your effectiveness. Spiritual gifts are meant to be used for the benefit of others. As you use your gift(s) you should see positive, though not necessarily fabulous, results taking place. If you are not seeing any results, it may be a sign that you do not have that particular gift.

    

5. Expect confirmation from others. Fellow believers can be very helpful in the discovery and implementation of your spiritual gifts. They may perceive gifts in you that you don't know you have and may then encourage you to put these gifts to use. They may also help you on occasion to see that you don't have a particular gift you think you have, and then help to steer you into a different avenue of service.

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Follow through each of these five steps with prayer that the Lord himself will be the guiding and directing as well as the motivating force in all your endeavors.

Some of the material in Spiritual Gifts Discovery Tool is taken from Gifted to Serve, by Professor David Valleskey © 1983 Northwestern Publishing House. Adapted and used by permission.