How do we discover our spiritual gifts? The Equip seminar guides us through four steps: calling, coaching, connecting, and committing. In our first session, we listened to God's call to our hearts to service. Then we turned our minds towards understanding spiritual gifts in Scripture.
In the second half of this session, we'll look more specifically at examples of gifts in the Bible. Then we'll explore our own gifts. Consider now the key Bible passages and spiritual gifts mentioned.
Remember these three points as you read through the lists:
First, some of the spiritual gifts are mentioned more than once and repeated in different passages.
Second, sometimes I will recommend a different word for a gift that is more commonly used and understood in today's language.
Third, Ephesians 4 sets apart five gifts that are equipping roles for training members in ministry. It's important to remember the orientation of these gift-roles toward preparing others for service.
1. Wisdom. The gift of wisdom is the divine ability to receive insight into how to proceed in specific situations arising in the body of Christ. Wisdom provides guidance to the church.
2. Knowledge. The gift of knowledge is the divine ability to discover biblical truth which is pertinent to the well-being of the body. Knowledge provides truth to the church.
3. Faith. The gift of faith is the divine ability to discern and act on the promises of God with extraordinary confidence in order to build up God's work. Faith builds trust in God.
4. Healing. The gift of healing is the divine ability to be God's means for restoring others to health and wholeness. Healing provides restoration in the church.
5. Miracles. The gift of miracles is the divine ability to confirm the ministry and message of God through unusual interventions which glorify God. Miracles reveal God's power in the church. (Note that some gifts are not tested, such as miracles, because they are self-evident.)
6. Prophecy. The gift-role of prophet is the divine ability to receive and communicate a timely message from God for his people, exposing sin or deception for the purpose of reconciliation. Prophecy is an equipping gift-role and brings conviction to the church. [God will confirm the gift of prophecy. A spiritual gifts test is not required for this]
7. Discernment. The gift of discernment is the divine ability to know truth from error and distinguish between motives and behaviors which are good or evil. Discernment provides clarity in the church.
8. Tongues. The gift of tongues is the divine ability to speak in foreign languages in order to communicate a message by God. Tongues extends God's message beyond the church.
9. Interpretation. The gift of interpretation is the divine ability to share the meaning of a message with others from a person speaking God's truth in a foreign language. Interpretation gives meaning to God's message to others. (*Note: Tongues and Interpretation are not tested in the Spiritual Gifts Inventory.)
10. Apostleship. The gift-role of apostle (sometimes called the missionary gift) is the divine ability to begin new ministries, sometimes in new communities or foreign countries. Apostles train members to launch new ministries for the church.
11. Teaching. The gift-role of teacher is the divine ability to communicate information relevant to the health and ministry of the body and its members in such a way that others will learn. Teachers train members by providing the application of truth to believers in the church.
12. Helps. The gift of helps is the divine ability to practically assist others in ways that strengthen ministries, often working behind the scenes in tangible ways. Helps give support to other ministries within the church.
13. Administration. The gift of administration is the divine ability to understand immediate and long-range goals and provide pathways that make an organization function effectively. Administration contributes efficiency to the systems within the church.
14. Encouragement. The gift of encouragement is the divine ability to minister words of comfort, consolation, and counsel to other members of the body in such a way that they feel uplifted and inspired. Encouragement extends affirmation to others in the church.
15. Giving. The gift of giving is the divine ability to contribute material resources to the work of the Lord with liberality and cheerfulness. Giving provides resources to the church.
16. Leadership. The gift-role of leadership is the divine ability to influence people toward a goal by providing oversight, motivation, and vision. Leadership is an equipping gift-role and contributes direction to the church.
17. Mercy. The gift of mercy is the divine ability to feel genuine compassion for others who are suffering and seek to practically alleviate pain and discomfort of the hurting, wounded, and marginalized. Mercy extends care to the church.
The following five gifts are trainer-roles that equip members for service. We've covered some of them already.
18. Evangelism. The gift-role of evangelist is the divine ability to equip others to clearly share the good news with unbelievers and lead them to become disciples of Jesus. Evangelists train others to extend the gospel to the world.
19. Shepherding. The gift-role of pastor-shepherd is the divine ability to train others to provide for the spiritual welfare of a group of believers. Shepherds equip others to give nurture to the church.
There area few other places in Scripture that indirectly speak of spiritual gifts. These passages are commonly accepted by most Christians as illustrating special talents God gives some people.
20. Crafting/Craftsmanship. The gift of crafting or craftsmanship is the divine ability to create items to be used for ministry, often using their hands with raw materials and tools. Craftsmanship provides skill to the church.
(There are many references to "skilled workers" and "gifted artisans" who helped build the wilderness tabernacle, the curtains, and all its furnishing. Exodus 39:8 speaks of "skilled craftsman"; and Exodus 39:3 describes "skilled hands." )
21. Artistic Communication. The gift of artistic communication is the divine ability to share God's truth through creative art forms such as performing arts (music), literature (poetry, writing), media arts (photography, film, and design), visual arts (painting, drawing, sculpturing). Artistic communication brings expression to God's truth.
22. Intercessory Prayer. The gift of intercessory prayer is the divine ability to intercede in prayer for others with consistency and awareness of spiritual battles being waged. Intercessory prayer gives protection to the church.
23. Hospitality. The gift of hospitality is the divine ability to extend a warm welcome to people needing fellowship, food, and shelter. Hospitality extends acceptance within the church.
If you are looking for a "final" list of gifts, you will not find one. Notice what Ellen White says regarding the Parable of the Talents.
The Bible illustrates different types of gifts. It does not give us an exhaustive list. We should be open to a variety of skills used to build up the body of Christ.
What Are My Gifts?
There are different methods to help members discover their spiritual gifts. Prayer is foundational since it is the Holy Spirit who gives the gifts. Learning about the different gifts is something we just completed. We suggest three more parts in the Equip seminar: Spiritual Gifts Inventory, Gift Input Assessment, and Gift Affirmation Activity.
Spiritual Gifts Inventory
The first method of gift discovery is taking the Spiritual Gifts Inventory. Each participant has been encouraged to complete this step. You can download a printable copy of this assessment by clicking on the menu at the top of this website. Look for Spiritual Gifts Inventory. Click on this item and you will be taken to the page for download. By clicking the upper right corner of the document you can download it. Once you print and fill out the inventory you can self-check with the supplied key.
Another option is to download a free app for your smartphone called EQUIP Membership Ministry. Once you download the app you can take the inventory and it will automatically tally your results. The app includes other features as well such as an assessment for other church members to take to help you discover your gift. Go to the App Store for Apple products or Google Play to search for this application.
While everyone has at least one primary spiritual gift, many members will often have what we call a "gift cluster." A gift cluster is two or three complementary gifts, such as teaching and knowledge, or mercy and shepherding.
Completing this assessment is only part of the process. personal assessment should not be thought of as conclusive by itself. The Spiritual Gifts Inventory is a starting point. It is important to receive feedback from the body of Christ as well.
Gift Input Survey
The second step is found through the input of other Christians. Some people actually find this step to be more helpful than the personal assessment. The assessment to share with others is available for download at this site through the menu above or you can use the downloadable app on your smartphone to allow others to share their input using your device. Of course, those who know you well would be the best to ask for input.
When you've taken the Gifts Inventory (Spiritual gifts test) write your results on the My Gift Portrait (downloadable form from the menu above). Then, write on this same form the observations of others from the Gift Input Assessment forms (available through the menu above) they filled out for you, or you can transfer the results from them completing the survey on your device. Based on the results from these documents prepare to write down what you believe are your primary gifts. You will want to prayerfully study your results and the input from others. What do these assessments tell you? Some people hesitate on this step. They want to do it "right" and wish this process was more like a math equation. Do your best and remember God can bring you other gifts. This is not a final step that will forever determine your gifts or ministry till Jesus comes.
Gift discovery is a journey and we are at different places on the pathway of learning. Some Christians have years of reflecting and experimenting with different ministries. Others are unclear. It is okay if you do not have the same clarity as someone else. Understanding your gifts might take longer. Be patient with yourself.
Please bring your completed My Gift Portrait form with you to your next session. If you have not completed all the classwork you can still attend but it will be most valuable to complete the classwork. You can bring materials with you to complete in class if you have to.