Spiritual Gifts, 3

Equipping Nights, MFBC 2025

Class Three, Night Three

04/27/2025

Spiritual Gifts

Session Three:

Continuation of Spiritual gifts in NT (pt. 2)

Introduction to Assessment

Central Passage

1 Corinthians 12:12-31.

Key verses: 18-20.

Takeaways:

Every follower of Christ has a place in serving Christ.

It is necessary that every follower of Christ serve Christ for the body of Christ to function as God intended it.

Every follower of Christ is vital to the ministry of the church, no matter the role of service.

I. NT Spiritual Gifts (Pt. 2)

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).

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). This should be distinguished from the type of general faith necessary for salvation. This faith is of greater trust, confidence, and dependency on God believing beyond a general level of faith to trust and know that God is able and capable of performing miracles.

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 (Eph. 4:11). Some are gifted with evangelism and able to more clearly and easily than others share and proclaim the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus. Though some are gifted with the Page 92 of 92 specific ministry of evangelism, all believers should be equipped to share the Gospel in accordance with the Great Commission.

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). It should be understood that generally, the word apostle (αποστολος) means delegate, messenger, or ambassador (BDAG) while the verb form (αποστελλω) means to send out. Specifically, those who were the Apostles in the NT were those directly taught, commissioned, and authorized by Jesus to go forth. They were eyewitnesses. There are no formal apostles (in the specific sense of the word) living today.

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). Also translated as “ministering”—it comes from the Greek term diakonian (διακονιαν) meaning to serve or minister, the word where we get our English word deacon from. This includes providing service of any kind.

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). The person gifted with mercy will display compassion and sympathy to those who are in need or who are in distress. Often times this display of compassion and sympathy will be coupled with a desire to help connect individuals to resources to lessen the distress of the situation. This gift is similar to the gift of encouragement.

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). Those gifted with this gift give joyfully to others. This is not necessarily limited to one area of giving, but the person may be generous to give monetarily, materially, or temporally (time). This individual is specifically selfless and concerned with the needs of others, looking for opportunities to give in times of need.

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).

II. Introduction to Spiritual Gift Assessment

NOT a test!

NOT a formulaic, magical tool to tell you your spiritual gifts!

IS a tool!

80 statements. Rank them from 1-5. 5=most like me; 1=not me at all

Score survey following directions

Graph your profile using your scores

PRAY AND SEEK GOD

Consider those you scored highest on; pray through them; look for places to serve pertaining to them.