#BibleLesson What are Spiritual Gifts?



Your responsibility as a Christian is to serve God faithfully. That's sometimes a natural act. But, often you find yourself trying to figure out what piece of the ministry puzzle you are.

There are clearly listed gifts of the Holy Spirit that are the foundation of effective, fulfilling ministry. 

To get a handle on what a spiritual gift is and what gift(s) you might have, take a read and check the Scriptures listed.


Personal Spiritual Gift Quotient
1.    I would rate my personal understanding of spiritual gifts as follows:
_____      Reasonably good understanding
_____      Moderate understanding
_____      Slight understanding
2.    List the names of up to five spiritual gifts.
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
3.    List the three key Biblical chapters dealing with spiritual gifts:
a.
b.
c.
4.    Record your own self-image regarding your spiritual gifts in one of the three categories below:

_____      I am fairly sure I know my spiritual gift(s).  It is (they are):
a.
b.
c.
_____      I am not positive, but I think I might have this gift(s):
a.
b.
c.
_____      I really would not know how to identify my spiritual gift(s) at this point.
 

There is a big difference between the spiritual gifts and the fruit of the spirit.
As a member of God's family, all Christians are intended to produce all the fruit of the spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control. It's part of being a child of God.
Spiritual gifts are distinct expressions of God's presence--specifically the Holy Spirit--in the lives of individual believers. My mother has the gift of Hospitality. I doubt there was ever a person who visited our home that didn't feel like a family member when they left. On the other hand, while I consider myself hospitable, I am not gifted with Hospitality like my mom was.
Today, you're taking a tour of the Spiritual Gifts mentioned in the New Testament. You'll need your Bible.
Pleasant journey!



Spiritual Gifts List
I.     Three Key Chapters
A.   Romans 12:6-8 (often identified as primary gifts)
1.    
2.    
3.    
4.    
5.    
6.    
7.    
B.    First Corinthians 12:8-10 (often referred to as secondary gifts)
1.    
2.    
3.    
4.    
5.    
6.    
7.    
8.    
C.    Ephesians 4:11 (referred to as offices or positions in the body)
1.    
2.    
3.    
4.    
II.   Other Chapters
A.   I Corinthians 7:7
1.  Celibacy 
B.    I Corinthians 13:1-3, 8
1.  Voluntary poverty 
2.  Martyrdom 
C.    I Peter 4:9
1.    Hospitality 

D.   I Corinthians 12: 27-28

1.    Helps  
E.    Ephesians 3:7 & I Corinthians 9:22

1.  Missionary 

III.     Other Implied Gifts  
1.    Craftsmanship
2.    Music  
3.     Prayer/Intercession

Now that you've got a handle on the variety of Spiritual Gifts, I suggest you try the activity that follows before Wednesday. That way you'll be thinking about how God gifted you before the survey.
  
How You May Find Your Spiritual Gift(s)
Step 1:    Explore the possibilities

Step 2:    Experiment with as many as you can

Step 3:    Examine your feelings
  
Step 4:    Evaluate your effectiveness
  
Step 5:    Expect confirmation from the Body of Christ
  
Adapted from: Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow  - C. Peter Wagner, Regal Books
On Wednesday you'll find three choices for online Spiritual Gift inventories. Be honest in your answers and look for what God reveals.

SEO: Bible study, New Testament, Spiritual Gifts, knowing God
  
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