Spiritual Gifts From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. EPHESIANS 4:16
Spiritual Gifts Class 1. What is a spiritual gift? Week One Basic Questions According to the S.H.A.P.E. course developed by Dr. Gil Stieglitz, It is a gift of God s grace which allows a Christian to do a certain task with special effectiveness. 2. Whose gift is it? 3. Why study spiritual gifts? a. The Word instructs us to do so. 1 Corinthians 12:1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant. b. It s our responsibility to know what our gift is and to function in it. 1 Peter 4:10 As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. c. It is God s plan for the church to function effectively. Ephesians 4:12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.
4. What are the three types of spiritual gifts we will be studying? a. Motivational the underlying gift that motivates each Believer to move into their God-ordained destiny. (Romans 12:6) b. Ministerial giftings given to individuals called to minister to the Body of Christ at large. (Ephesians 4:11) c. Manifestational gifts that manifest the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:7-10) 5. Are some gifts more important than others? (Turn to 1 Corinthians 12:12-27) No, all are essential to the healthy functioning of the Church of Jesus Christ, which He calls His body. Some may seem more important because they are up front, but each one is necessary and important. 6. Is identifying and developing my spiritual gift the most important thing that I can do as a Christian? (Let s look at 1 Corinthians 13:1-13) The most profitable thing that a Christian can do is to develop the fruit of the Holy Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, meekness, faithfulness, and self-control. MEMORIZATION 1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.
Spiritual Gifts Class Week Two Motivational Gifts Webster s definition: MOTIVE something that causes a person to act MOTIVATE to impel SEVEN MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS Turn to Romans 12:6-8 Remember!!! Romans 12:9-11 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 1. *Prophecy The special ability to communicate God s truth with power and directness. Ephesians 4:15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head Christ
**CHARACTERISTICS POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES - Need to express themselves - Exposing without restoring - Quick impressions of people - Jumping to conclusions - Alertness to dishonesty - Reacting harshly to sinners - Desire for justice - Being unforgiving - Open about own faults - Condemning themselves - Wholehearted involvement - Being impetuous - Loyalty to truth vs. loyalty - Cutting off people who fail to people - Willingness to suffer for right - Lack tactfulness in rebuke - Persuasive in defining truth - Dwelling on negative Scriptural example: Peter
2. *Serving The supernatural ability to identify unmet needs in the body of Christ and beyond and to use whatever resources necessary to practically meet those needs. 1 Corinthians 16:15 I urge you, brethren you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints
**CHARACTERISTICS POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES - Free others to achieve - Giving unrequested help - Disregard for weariness - Letting THINGS be too important - Can t say no - Neglecting God-given priorities - Alert to likes and dislikes - Reacting to over-looked needs - Needs approval - Resents lack of appreciation - Likes short range projects - Working people around their schedule - Put extra touches on jobs - Frustrated with time limits - Meet needs quickly - Interfere with God s discipline Scriptural example: Martha *Getting Your Gifts in Gear Paul R. Ford ** Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts Advanced Seminar
3. *Teaching The ability to explain the truths of God in a clear manner. Romans 12:7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering, he who teaches, in teaching, Acts 18:24-26 Now a certain Jew names Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man and mighty in the Scriptures, came to Ephesus. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things of the Lord, though he knew only the baptism of John. So he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Aquila and Priscilla heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
**CHARACTERISTICS POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES - Need to validate information - Becoming proud of knowledge - Check out the teachers - Despising lack of credentials - Rely on established resources - Depending on human reasoning - Present truth systematically - Criticizing practical application - Gather many facts - Showing off research skills - Require thoroughness - Rejecting scriptural presuppositions - Uneasy with subjective truth - Putting mind above Holy Spirit - Persevere with accepted - Taking teachings to extreme teachings - Clarify misunderstandings - Arguing over minor points Scriptural example: Luke * S.H.A.P.E Dr. Gil Stieglitz ** Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts Advanced Seminar
Spiritual Gifts Class Week Three Motivational Gifts First & Foremost!! 1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 4. Exhorting The supernatural ability to encourage, comfort, challenge, or rebuke others toward right action in such a way that they respond and act. 2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
**CHARACTERISTICS POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES - Commitment to spiritual - Struggle with follow through growth - Ability to see root problems - Look to themselves for solutions - See clear steps of action - Pride in visible results - Look toward what people - Treat people as projects can become - Turn problems into benefits - Offer quick fixes - Desire to be transparent - Share private illustrations - Gain insight through - Present truth out of balance Experience ( experiential truth ) - Urgency to act on clear steps - Set unrealistic goals - Desire to share face to face - Give up on uncooperative people (need results) Scriptural example: Paul
5. Giving The supernatural ability to give freely, cheerfully, and sacrificially on one s money or possessions for the sake of Christ and His body. 2 Corinthians 8:1-4 And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. Out of the most severe trail, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
**CHARACTERISTICS POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES - Ability to make wise - Desire to give may appear as purchases and investments attempt to control - Desire to give high quality - Feeling guilty for personal assets - Hope that gift answers prayer - Rejects pressure appeals - Desire to give secretly - May not hold recipient accountable - Concern that giving will - Waiting too long to give corrupt - Exercise personal thriftiness - May be critical of how others Spend their money and others giving habits Scriptural example: Matthew *All information adapted from the Institute in Basic Youth Conflicts, Getting Your Gifts in Gear by Paul R. Ford, and S.H.A.P.E. by Dr. Gil Stieglitz
Spiritual Gifts Class Week Four Motivational Gifts Once Again: 1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 6. Administration - (Organization) The supernatural ability to provide organization for the goals of the body of Christ by designing and carrying out an efficient plan of action. Turn to Nehemiah 2:1-5
**CHARACTERISTICS POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES - Ability to visualize - Views people as resources final results - Withstands reaction to - Unresponsive to appeals tasks - Makes jobs look easy - Putting projects ahead of people - Able to be decisive - Fail to explain or affirm - Desire to complete task - Delegation may appear lazy quickly - Aware of resources - Endurance of reactions may appear available callous - Ability to know what - Desire to complete tasks quickly may can and cannot be appear to be insensitive to schedules delegated weariness or priorities of workers - Tendency to stand on - Fulfillment in seeing others coming together and completing a task Scriptural example: Nehemiah
7. Mercy Definition: The supernatural ability to show great empathy and compassion for those who suffer physical, emotionally, or spiritually, and to assist those in need. Luke 6:36 Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.
**CHARACTERISTICS POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES - Drawn to those who - Too protective or possessive are Outcasts - Attempt to relieve - Emotion over reason suffering - Stay alongside of - React to God s purposes someone who is ill - Attracted to people in - Failure to be firm (too soft) distress - Desire to remove hurts - Take up offenses - Ability to feel - May condemn or withdraw from people atmosphere of joy or who appear insensitive distress in an individual or group - Ability to discern true motives Scriptural example: John
Spiritual Gifts Class Week Five Ministerial Gifts (Five-fold Gifts / Ascension Gifts) The More Excellent Way 1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. Turn to Ephesians 4:1-16 Congregational Authority / Governmental Authority 1. Apostles Greek: apostolos one sent forth Definition: The special ability (calling) to exercise general authority over a church or churches, often with the ability to found numerous churches. Lays a foundation: 1 Corinthians 3:10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.
Travels, overseeing churches as exemplified throughout the New Testament Church. Scriptural example: Dr. Archer, Moses Vegh 2. Prophets Greek: propheteous to foretell events, to exercise the prophetic office Prophesying / Office of a prophet Definition: The supernatural ability (calling) to proclaim God s present and future truth in such a way that the hearers are moved to respond. Revelation 1:1-3 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near. Scriptural example: Jeremiah, Ezekiel, John the Baptist, John the Revelator Today: Rick Joyner, Fuscia Pickett
III. Evangelist Greek: euaggelistes Preacher of good news Definition: The supernatural ability (calling) to share the Gospel with unbelievers in such a way that men and women respond and become followers of Jesus Christ. Acts 8:5-6 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ to them. And the multitudes with one accord heeded the things spoken by Philip, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. May be called to motivate and instruct the Body of Christ in the area of evangelism. Scriptural example: Phillip, Timothy Today: Billy Graham (ye shall know them by their fruits)
IV. Pastors Greek: poimen shepherd nurturer Definition: The supernatural ability (calling) to care for, feed, and protect the long-term spiritual needs of individuals or groups in the body of Christ, enabling them to grow towards spiritual maturity. (discipling) Acts 20:28 Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. Pastoral heart / office of the pastor Scriptural example: Titus, Timothy
V. Teachers Greek: didaskalos instructor, master Definition: The special ability (calling) to explain the truths of God in a clear manner. Scriptural example: Luke, Priscilla & Aquilla The Fivefold Ministries As Spirit-filled people, committed to the full gospel, we believe in what is often referred to as the fivefold ministries, as recorded in Ephesians 4:11, It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers In his book, Body Life, Pastor Ray Stedman compares leaders to the basic systems of the body. (Stedman 1972:72-79) 3 System Explanation The ministry of Skeletal Gives form and Apostle structure to the body. Nervous Takes the message Prophet from the head to the body. Digestive Converts the bread Evangelist of life into flesh and bone. Circulatory Maintains the life of the body Pastor / Teacher
Never Forget Spiritual Gifts Class Week Six Manifestational Gifts 1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. Please turn to 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Manifestation.To Each One.The Profit Of All Nine Gifts Listed: 1. Word of Wisdom Definition: The supernatural ability to offer pertinent spiritual counsel immediately in situations where guidance is needed. The supernatural understanding of situations in which one had no previous knowledge. Matthew 10:18-20 You will be brought before governors and knags for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
2. Word of Knowledge Definition: The supernatural ability to receive and share revealed knowledge which was not otherwise known, or the ability to gather and clarify large quantities of Bible knowledge with unusual spiritual insight. Please turn to Acts 5:1-4 Examples 3. Faith Definition: Visualizing what God wants to accomplish Luke 7:7 Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 4. Healings Definition: The supernatural ability to miraculously restore health to an individual in the physical, emotional, or spiritual realms through a direct act of God. Please turn to Acts 3:1-8
5. Working of Miracles Definition: The supernatural ability to transform the course of natural law in such a way that divine intervention is the only possible explanation. Acts 6:8 Now Stephen, a man full of God s grace and power, did great wonders and miraculous signs among the people. 6. Prophecy Definition: The supernatural ability to proclaim God s present and future truth in such a way that the hearers are moved to respond. 1 Corinthians 14:1 Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. 1 Corinthians 14:3 But he who prophesies speaks edification and exhortation and comfort to men. Scriptural order: Please turn to 1 Corinthians 14:29-33
7. Discerning of Spirits Definition: a) The supernatural ability to determine whether a certain action has its source in God, man, or Satan. b) The special ability to know when demons are present, and the strongholds they claim. Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 8. Tongues in Public Worship Definition: A Holy Spirit inspired speaking enabling a Christian to speak in a language unknown to the speaker for the purpose of building up the worshipping body through its interpretation. 1 Corinthians 14:27 If anyone speaks in a tongue, let there be two or at the most three, each in turn, and let one interpret. 9. Interpretation of Tongues Definition: The supernatural ability to interpret words spoken in tongues into the language of the listeners, so that the worshipping body can be built up. That concludes our study on Motivational, Ministerial, and Manifestational Gifts.
Other extraordinary GIFTINGS INTERWOVEN THROUGH Scriptures are: Hospitality Missionary Celibacy Intercession Exorcism Martyrdom Voluntary Poverty Creativity Acknowledgment: By Nancy Rupli