Spiritual gifts
Discover and use your spiritual gifts to serve the Lord.
You are gifted for service in the Kingdom of God!
Gene Wilkes defines a spiritual gift as “an expression of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers which empowers them to serve the body of Christ, the church.” God has given you special abilities through His Holy Spirit to help His church achieve His mission around the world. As a believer, it is important to know what your gift is and how you can use best use it to serve. We have complied some resources to help you find your gift.
About spiritual gifts
- Each believer is given at least one gift (1 Corinthians 12:7)
- The Holy Spirit determines who receives which gifts (1 Corinthians 12:11)
- Each gift is equally valuable (1 Corinthians 12:21-26)
- We are to use our gifts to serve others for the benefit of the body (Romans 12:6-8; Ephesians 4:12)
- We are commanded to use our gifts (1 Peter 4:10)
- Exercising our gifts will help us develop spiritual maturity (Ephesians 4:13)
- Believers should pray and study what God says about gifts in His Word
- God often uses other believers to affirm our gift
- Sometimes God may also use spiritual gift assessment tools to reveal His gifts
What are the spiritual gifts?
Leadership
Leadership aids the body by leading and directing members to accomplish the goals and purposes of the church. Leadership motivates people to work together in unity toward common goals (Rom. 12:8).
Administration
Persons with the gift of administration lead the body by steering others to remain on task. Administration enables the body to organize according to God-given purposes and long-term goals (1 Cor. 12:28).
Teaching
Teaching is instructing members in the truths and doctrines of God’s Word for the purposes of building up, unifying, and maturing the body (1 Cor. 12:28; Rom. 12:7; Eph. 4:11).
Knowledge
The gift of knowledge manifests itself in teaching and training in discipleship. It is the God-given ability to learn, know, and explain the precious truths of God’s Word. A word of knowledge is a Spirit-revealed truth (1 Cor. 12:28).
Prophecy
The gift of prophecy is proclaiming the Word of God boldly. This builds up the body and leads to conviction of sin. Prophecy manifests itself in preaching and teaching (1 Cor. 12:10; Rom. 12:6).
Exhortation
Possessors of this gift encourage members to be involved in and enthusiastic about the work of the Lord. Members with this gift are good counselors and motivate others to service. Exhortation exhibits itself in preaching, teaching, and ministry (Rom. 12:8).
Discernment
Discernment aids the body by recognizing the true intentions of those within or related to the body. Discernment tests the message and actions of others for the protection and well-being of the body (1 Cor. 12:10).
Shepherding
The gift of shepherding is manifested in persons who look out for the spiritual welfare of others. Although pastors, like shepherds, do care for members of the church, this gift is not limited to a pastor or staff member (Eph. 4:11).
Apostleship
The church sends apostles from the body to plant churches or be missionaries. Apostles motivate the body to look beyond its walls in order to carry out the Great Commission (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11).
Evangelist
God gifts his church with evangelists to lead others to Christ effectively and enthusiastically. This gift builds up the body by adding new members to its fellowship (Eph. 4:11).
Hospitality
Those with this gift have the ability to make visitors, guests, and strangers feel at ease. They often use their home to entertain guests. Persons with this gift integrate new members into the body (1 Pet. 4:9).
Giving
Members with the gift of giving give freely and joyfully to the work and mission of the body. Cheerfulness and liberality are characteristics of individuals with this gift (Rom. 12:8).
Mercy
Cheerful acts of compassion characterize those with the gift of mercy. Persons with this gift aid the body by empathizing with hurting members. They keep the body healthy and unified by keeping others aware of the needs within the church (Rom. 12:8).
Service/helps
Those with the gift of service/helps recognize practical needs in the body and joyfully give assistance to meeting those needs. Christians with this gift do not mind working behind the scenes (1 Cor. 12:28; Rom. 12:7).
Faith
Faith trusts God to work beyond the human capabilities of the people. Believers with this gift encourage others to trust in God in the face of apparently insurmountable odds (1 Cor. 12:9).
Wisdom
Wisdom is the gift that discerns the work of the Holy Spirit in the body and applies His teachings and actions to the needs of the body (1 Cor. 12:28).
Spiritual gift assessment
This Spiritual Gift assesment is provided to help you discover your own spiritual gifts and encourage you to find ways to use your spiritual gifts in the context of the church. Download and complete the assessment and then let us know your results!