Some Keys to Exploring My Spiritual Gifts

Developing the use of your spiritual gifts is not an automatic thing.  It will take time and a willingness to perhaps explore a variety of ministry opportunities.

Research What The Bible Has To Say.

It is helpful to carefully explore the Bible passages that not only teach us about spiritual gifts but also explore their purpose in God’s plan for ministry.

Respond To What I Discover.

Gift discovery is a process of exploration.  We should not be threatened by this.  It is not an unspiritual step but rather a very helpful part of the discovery process. 

Reflect On My Ministry Experiences.

Are there times you felt particularly effective or passionate about doing something in ministry?  These may be areas that would fit well with your gift.

Review The Impact of My Involvement.

A vital part of the gift discovery process will include times for personal reflection and assessment of my effectiveness within a specific ministry area.

Look For The Recognition of Others.

The unique ministry design God is developing within each person will also be recognized by others, especially those within our church.

The central clue to discovering our spiritual gifts is to get in touch with the areas of service that produce a flow of inner joy, excitement, and energy.

TALENTS

Talents can be an indicator of your giftedness but do not necessarily equate to your Spiritual Gift(s).

We would make a distinction between Spiritual Gifts and natural talents. While Spiritual Gifts are unique to the believer, talents are common to all. Both are God-given. Just as your experiences and character traits may indicate a particular Spiritual Gift, so may your talents. The affirmation of any Spiritual Gift must be consistent with glorifying Jesus and edifying the Body.

FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT

Fruit of the Spirit is the mark of spiritual maturity listed in Galatians 5:22-23: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” It relates to the development of character. It is a “be” quality, while Spiritual Gifts are “do” qualities.

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

Spiritual Disciplines include personal Bible study, prayer, fasting, tithing, and other practices that help us grow in faith, control our sinful desires, and develop character. Spiritual Disciplines help us grow in our relationship to God.  Spiritual Gifts help us serve in the body of Christ. The relationship between Spiritual Gifts and Spiritual Disciplines is illustrated by the following comparison:

SPIRITUAL GIFTS        SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES

Evangelism                       Witnessing

Intercession                       Prayer

Knowledge                         Study

MINISTRY POSITIONS

At church we refer to some people as “pastor”, “teacher”, or “leader”. These titles may or may not match exactly with their Spiritual Gift. For example, though we have many small group leaders, they may not all have the gift of Leadership, nor do they need that gift to be a small group leader (position). Some may have the gift of Shepherding, some Encouragement, some Teaching, and some Leading. Not all Sunday school teachers (position) have the gift of Teaching. We call them “teachers”, yet they may have other gifts.

These titles are valuable to us for purposes of communication around church, yet we need to remember that these titles do not always match up exactly with the persons Spiritual Gifts.