Discover Your Spiritual Gifts…

A spiritual gift is a manifestation (an outward display) of the Holy Spirit in and through a believer’s life for the purpose of serving others. See 1 Corinthians 12:4-11.

It’s not a superpower as some would like to believe. Rather, it is a way the Holy Spirit has empowered you to share the Gospel and serve others.

Spiritual gifts, prayer, and knowing God’s Word go hand-in-hand. In Scripture, we find these gifts demonstrated properly when a person acted in obedience with the Holy Spirit, was active in prayer, and faithful to knowing the Bible.ext goes here

There are a few passages that outline examples of spiritual gifts and roles of people with such gifts, but it is important to understand these lists are not comprehensive. In fact, they’re only a starting point of how God empowers us to do the work of the Church.

Some of the spiritual gifts demonstrated throughout the Bible include:

Leadership, Administration, Teaching, Knowledge, Wisdom, Prophecy, Discernment, Encouragement, Shepherding (Pastoring), Faith, Evangelism, Service/Helps, Mercy, Giving, and Hospitality

Click here for a more detailed explanation

Passages that list spiritual gifts and roles associated with gifts:

-Romans 12:6–8, 1 Corinthians 12:8–10, 1 Corinthians 12:28–30, Ephesians 4:11, 1 Peter 4:11, and Joel 2:28

Scripture is clear that every believer has spiritual gifts. We receive at least one gift when we trust in Jesus and the Holy Spirit lives within us. (Titus 3:5, John 14:17)

-“For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you” (Romans 12:3).

-“But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that” (1 Corinthians 7:7).

-“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7).

-“. . . and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines” (1 Corinthians 12:11).

-“But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it” (Ephesians 4:7).

-“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10).

We should eagerly desire for God to give us more gifts for the work of God’s Kingdom.

-“Follow the way of love and eagerly desire gifts of the Spirit, especially prophecy.” (1 Corinthians 14:1)

Natural talents are inherited genetically from one’s parents, spiritual gifts are received upon salvation and the Spirit’s working. (1 Corinthians 12:7-11)

Only followers of Christ have spiritual gifts, but believers and non-believers alike have talents.

Spiritual gifts are matured and surprising whereas talents are developed and expected

When God gives a spiritual gift to someone, the gift is already matured. This is not to say that a believer should not hone their skills (like practice sharing one’s faith), but often the spiritual gift empowers the individual’s natural talent to be effective for the work of Christ.

Both spiritual gifts and talents come from God. (Romans 12:3-8)

God gives us spiritual gifts to serve one another and proclaim God’s love to the world.

-“Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good [of the church].” (1 Corinthians 12:7)

God gives us spiritual gifts to…

-Build up the church (1 Corinthians 12:7)

-Demonstrate God’s love (1 Corinthians 13—sandwiched between chapter 12 & 14 discussing spiritual gifts)

-Proclaim the Gospel (Many of the spiritual gifts listed in the Bible include evangelism, boldness, prophesy, speaking in other languages, communication, healing, miracles, and more—for the purposes of serving the Church BUT ALSO sharing the good news of Jesus.)

Pray that God would reveal them to you

-"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7)

Be involved in the body of Christ

-God gave you gifts to edify the Church, when you are serving others, often God reveals what He has gifted you in.)

Be involved in sharing your faith with others

-The disciples and believers in the early church were often surprised at what God did through them. They rejoiced because in their obedience to the call of Christ, God performed amazing things through them.

Take a spiritual gifts inventory assessment

Here are a couple of assessments you can take to help you determine how God has specifically gifted you…

-ChurchGrowth.org | Spiritual Gifts Survey

-Lifeway | Spiritual Gifts Survey (PDF distributable)

As you come to realize the gifts that God has given you and pray for more, we want you to use them as God intended you to here at First Denham!

-Through being involved in the ministry of our church

-Through loving and caring for others

-Through communicating God’s Word to others

-Though sharing the Gospel with those inside and outside our church