Spiritual Gifts -- ASSESSMENT INTRO

INTRODUCTION

Stepping back this week — finishing up our “Better Together” series.

A couple of weeks ago, we started to take a spiritual gifts assessment. That didn’t work out so well, so we’re going to try again tonight.

I want to give us as much time as possible to complete these, so we’re going to do just a quick review, then spend the bulk of our time in our small groups.

REVIEW

DEFINING SPIRITUAL GIFTS

Ken Hemphill — author, president of Southwestern Baptist Seminary.

“An individual manifestation of grace from the Father that enables you to serve Him, and thus play a vital role in His plan for the redemption of the world.”

Peter Wagner — an author and missionary.

“A special attribute given by the Holy Spirit to every member of the Body of Christ according to God’s grace for us within the context of the Body.”

Gene Wilkes — author, pastor, president of B.H. Carroll Seminary

“An expression of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers which empowers them to serve the body of Christ, the church.”

SPIRITUAL GIFTS IN SCRIPTURE

Romans 12:6–8 (ESV)

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Corinthians 12:8–10 ESV

For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

1 Corinthians 12:28–30 ESV

And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, helping, administrating, and various kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret?

Ephesians 4:11 ESV

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,

1 Peter 4:9–11 ESV

Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

COMMON THEME: Spiritual Gifts aren’t for us — they’re for the benefit and building up of the body.

EXPLORING 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.

Push people forward toward goals.

Promote unity.

ADMINISTRATION

People 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.

High-function.

Organized — PLANNERS

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.

Sunday School teachers, Connect Group leaders, etc.

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 truth of God’s Word. A word of knowledge is a Spirit-revealed truth.

Someone who reads Scripture and intuitively understands what it means.

These people usually make good teachers — even if they aren’t in an official “teaching” role.

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.

Wisdom — practical side of knowledge. Understands how to apply knowledge.

These people give good advice — they usually can look at a situation and know what to do.

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.

Not prediction of the future.

Preaching — This person is able to communicate the truths of Scripture in such a way that they are understandable by others, and it incurs a response from the hearer.

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.

Know how to read people really well.

EXHORTATION

People who possess 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.

These people are good leaders.

They’re also encouraging — they know how to make others feel good about themselves, and about their work.

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.

These people care about your spiritual life. Youth volunteers investing time/energy.

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.

Optimists. They trust everything is going to work out.

EVANGELISM

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.

These people can share their faith effortlessly.

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.

Missionaries, church planters. Have a strong desire to take the Gospel to people that have not heard it.

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.

This person is prone to solving physical problems. They see weeds in the church’s flower beds and pull them — WITHOUT TELLING ANYONE.

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.

Overlaps alot with service, but is usually people-focused.

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.

Not about amount, but heart. This person is generous, regardless of how much money they have. They’re always quick to give.

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.

Never met a stranger, easy to talk to.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

1. All spiritual gifts are of equal importance.

No one gift/combination of gifts is superior to another. They all have their place and are needed for the body to thrive.

2. Everyone’s gifts are different.

The body is intended to be diverse!

No one has the same gifts for the same reason we don’t have 2 left arms — every part has its place.

3. Tests like these aren’t always 100% accurate.

These are really just a starting point.

As you grow in Christ and mature as a person, your gifts will become more and more apparent.

4. Just because we’re not “gifted” in something doesn’t mean we’re not commanded to do it.

Some of these are commands that we’re to do...

Evangelism

Giving

Faith

Mercy

Just because they’re spiritual gifts doesn’t mean the command only applies to those people gifted in those areas.

They just may be better at it.

Evangelism for us might take effort— it’s hard to do — but for someone gifted in evangelism, it’s easy.

HELPFUL TIPS

Answer 100% honestly — not what you want or think you should answer.

Answer quickly. Your gut reaction is almost always “right”.

There are no “right” answers! This test is just a benchmark to help you explore your own giftedness.