What Are Your Spiritual Gifts?
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Created to Serve
Spiritual Gifts
Leadership (Ephesians 4:11)
Definition: The ability to envision goals and inspire people to reach them
Desire: To help a group accomplish its goals
Ministry examples: Serving as a committee chairperson, organizing a project that involves other people
Definition: The ability to envision goals and inspire people to reach them
Desire: To help a group accomplish its goals
Ministry examples: Serving as a committee chairperson, organizing a project that involves other people
Administration (I Corinthians 12:28)
Definition: The ability to organize people and systems to accomplish God's work
Desire: To avoid wasteful effort in accomplishing God's will
Ministry examples: Being a director, organizing a project, keeping track of paperwork
Definition: The ability to organize people and systems to accomplish God's work
Desire: To avoid wasteful effort in accomplishing God's will
Ministry examples: Being a director, organizing a project, keeping track of paperwork
Teaching (Ephesians 4:11; I Corinthians 12:8)
Definition: The ability to help others learn, making complicated things interesting and easy to grasp
Desire: To study, analyze, and present truth in a systematic way
Ministry examples: Teaching a class, helping a friend learn to tune up his car, coaching a team
Definition: The ability to help others learn, making complicated things interesting and easy to grasp
Desire: To study, analyze, and present truth in a systematic way
Ministry examples: Teaching a class, helping a friend learn to tune up his car, coaching a team
Knowledge (1 Corinthians 12:8; Colossians 2:2-3 )
Definition: The ability to discover, accumulate, analyze and clarify information and ideas which are pertinent to the growth and well-being of the Body of Christ
Desire: To have complete understanding about facts regarding a spiritual community
Ministry examples: Writing curriculum, serving on a long range planning team, speaking up at critical moments of decision with relevant facts
Definition: The ability to discover, accumulate, analyze and clarify information and ideas which are pertinent to the growth and well-being of the Body of Christ
Desire: To have complete understanding about facts regarding a spiritual community
Ministry examples: Writing curriculum, serving on a long range planning team, speaking up at critical moments of decision with relevant facts
Wisdom (1 Corinthians 12:8; Colossians 2:2-3; James 1:5)
Definition: The ability to discern and judge what is true, right, lasting, and applicable to the Body of Christ
Desire: To use spiritual knowledge to put faith into practice in a spiritual community
Ministry examples: Counseling, speaking up at critical moments of decision with how to apply spiritual knowledge
Definition: The ability to discern and judge what is true, right, lasting, and applicable to the Body of Christ
Desire: To use spiritual knowledge to put faith into practice in a spiritual community
Ministry examples: Counseling, speaking up at critical moments of decision with how to apply spiritual knowledge
Prophecy (I Corinthians 12:10,28)
Definition: The ability to speak God's truth directly and persuasively
Desire: To convince others of biblical truths
Ministry examples: Preaching, public speaking, witnessing projects, outreach work
Definition: The ability to speak God's truth directly and persuasively
Desire: To convince others of biblical truths
Ministry examples: Preaching, public speaking, witnessing projects, outreach work
Discernment (I Corinthians 12:10)
Definition: The ability to know the difference between true and false teaching; insight into others personalities and spiritual condition
Desire: To keep a group of Christians doctrinally pure
Ministry examples: Calling insincere or phony Christians to account, being a counselor, teaching, giving advice
Definition: The ability to know the difference between true and false teaching; insight into others personalities and spiritual condition
Desire: To keep a group of Christians doctrinally pure
Ministry examples: Calling insincere or phony Christians to account, being a counselor, teaching, giving advice
Exhortation/ Encouraging (Romans 12:8)
Definition: The ability to motivate people for service through encouraging words
Desire: To work with people one-on-one to inspire and build their confidence
Ministry examples: Being a friend, counseling, coaching a team
Definition: The ability to motivate people for service through encouraging words
Desire: To work with people one-on-one to inspire and build their confidence
Ministry examples: Being a friend, counseling, coaching a team
Shepherding/ Pastor (Ephesians 4:11-14 )
Definition: The ability to assume a long-term personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare
of a group of believers
Desire: To see those with whom they serve “grow up” in Christ
Ministry examples: Pastors, Ministers, small group Bible study leaders, parents
Definition: The ability to assume a long-term personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare
of a group of believers
Desire: To see those with whom they serve “grow up” in Christ
Ministry examples: Pastors, Ministers, small group Bible study leaders, parents
Having Faith (I Corinthians 12:9)
Definition: The ability to trust in God's power and working, even in the face of opposition
Desire: To recognize the working of God in situations that seem impossible
Ministry examples: Starting new ministries, leading a prayer group, encouraging a discouraged friend
Definition: The ability to trust in God's power and working, even in the face of opposition
Desire: To recognize the working of God in situations that seem impossible
Ministry examples: Starting new ministries, leading a prayer group, encouraging a discouraged friend
Evangelism (Ephesians 4:11)
Definition: The ability to present the Gospel in ways that produce new converts
Desire: To see people accept Christ as Savior
Ministry examples: Public speaking, counseling, being a friend, winning people one-on-one
Definition: The ability to present the Gospel in ways that produce new converts
Desire: To see people accept Christ as Savior
Ministry examples: Public speaking, counseling, being a friend, winning people one-on-one
Apostleship/ Missionary (1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11-14; Acts 13:2-3)
Definition: The ability to use their spiritual gifts in a second culture to expand the Kingdom
Desire: To become all things to all people everywhere and in every circumstance in order for them to recognize Christ as Lord
Ministry examples: International and local missionaries, church planters, ESL teachers
Definition: The ability to use their spiritual gifts in a second culture to expand the Kingdom
Desire: To become all things to all people everywhere and in every circumstance in order for them to recognize Christ as Lord
Ministry examples: International and local missionaries, church planters, ESL teachers
Service/ Helps (Romans 12:7)
Definition: The ability to joyfully help others in practical ways, often behind the scenes
Desire: To meet needs and be involved, usually involving a hands-on approach
Ministry examples: Lending a hand with fix-up projects, sending thank-you cards, setting up a stage for a play, eager participant at work day
Definition: The ability to joyfully help others in practical ways, often behind the scenes
Desire: To meet needs and be involved, usually involving a hands-on approach
Ministry examples: Lending a hand with fix-up projects, sending thank-you cards, setting up a stage for a play, eager participant at work day
Showing Mercy (Romans 12:8)
Definition: The ability to offer care and comfort to the suffering
Desire: To help the hurting
Ministry examples: Working in a hospital, visiting the sick or elderly, working in a food pantry
Definition: The ability to offer care and comfort to the suffering
Desire: To help the hurting
Ministry examples: Working in a hospital, visiting the sick or elderly, working in a food pantry
Giving (Romans 12:8)
Definition: The ability to give generously, with a joyful heart
Desire: To use money and talents wisely to accomplish God's work
Ministry examples: Helping to fund youth group projects with monetary gifts, directing a fund-raising project
Definition: The ability to give generously, with a joyful heart
Desire: To use money and talents wisely to accomplish God's work
Ministry examples: Helping to fund youth group projects with monetary gifts, directing a fund-raising project
Hospitality (Romans 12:13, I Peter 4:9,10)
Definition: The ability to help people feel welcomed and comfortable when they are guests
Desire: To include people, making them feel at ease
Ministry examples: Being a friend, inviting people into your home, serving refreshments, welcoming guests to church
Definition: The ability to help people feel welcomed and comfortable when they are guests
Desire: To include people, making them feel at ease
Ministry examples: Being a friend, inviting people into your home, serving refreshments, welcoming guests to church
Praying (Colossians 1:9-12)
Definition: The ability to persevere in intercession
Desire: To see answers to prayer on behalf of others' needs
Ministry examples: Being in a prayer group, spending time in prayer, learning new ways to pray, teaching others how to pray
Definition: The ability to persevere in intercession
Desire: To see answers to prayer on behalf of others' needs
Ministry examples: Being in a prayer group, spending time in prayer, learning new ways to pray, teaching others how to pray
Using Craftsmanship (Exodus 35:30-35)
Definition: The ability to make things with skill and beauty
Desire: To create and build things for ministry use
Ministry examples : Being an artist, writer, carpenter, actor, painter, etc.
Definition: The ability to make things with skill and beauty
Desire: To create and build things for ministry use
Ministry examples : Being an artist, writer, carpenter, actor, painter, etc.
Working Miracles/ Healing (I Corinthians 12:28)
Definition: The ability to be used by God for His miraculous workings
Desire: To see God do the miraculous
Ministry examples (if valid for today): Leading in healing ministries, inspiring others to have greater faith
Definition: The ability to be used by God for His miraculous workings
Desire: To see God do the miraculous
Ministry examples (if valid for today): Leading in healing ministries, inspiring others to have greater faith
Languages (I Corinthians 12:10,28)
Definition: The ability to learn languages quickly or to speak a "prayer language"
Desire: To translate the Word of God for people to understand it: to glorify God with unlearned utterances
Ministry examples: Being a Bible translator, working with Christian literature, leading a prayer service that involves speaking in tongues and interpreting
Definition: The ability to learn languages quickly or to speak a "prayer language"
Desire: To translate the Word of God for people to understand it: to glorify God with unlearned utterances
Ministry examples: Being a Bible translator, working with Christian literature, leading a prayer service that involves speaking in tongues and interpreting
Spiritual Gifts Scripture Citations
Acts 13:2-3 (NIV)
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.
Romans 12:3-8 (NIV)
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Romans 12:12-13 (NIV)
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
1 Corinthians 12:1-11 (NIV)
Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
1 Corinthians 12:27-31a (NIV)
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 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. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 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. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.
Ephesians 4:11-16 (NIV)
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Colossians 1:9-12 (NIV)
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light.
Colossians 2:2-3 (NIV)
My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
James 1:5 (NIV)
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.
1 Peter 4:7-11 (NIV)
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Exodus 35:30-35 (NIV)
Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.
Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the Lord has chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and he has filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills— to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze, to cut and set stones, to work in wood and to engage in all kinds of artistic crafts. And he has given both him and Oholiab son of Ahisamak, of the tribe of Dan, the ability to teach others. He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as engravers, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them skilled workers and designers.