DISCOVERING AND DEVELOPING OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS, PASSION AND PERSONAL STYLE OF MINISTRY A Discipleship Development Institute Class www.discipleshipdevelopment.org Part 2 OUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS Romans 12:4-8 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another... 1 Corinthians 12:4-12 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. Definition - Spiritual gifts are unique abilities given by the Holy Spirit to every believer according to God s design and purpose for the building up of the body of Christ. It reveals WHAT we do best in God s Kingdom. EACH ONE OF US IS UNIQUE 1 Corinthians 12:12 The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. 1. Everyone is unique and important in the Body of Christ! Therefore, we believe everyone is able to experience a meaningful place of service in the Church. However, many feel that they are not needed or that they are not able to provide a meaningful contribution. That is simply not true! Notice the following illustration... My kxyboard works grxat, xxcxpt for onx kxy. You would think that with all thx othxr kxys functioning propxrly, onx kxy not working would hardly bx noticxd; but just onx kxy out of whack sxxms to ruin thx xntirx xffort! You may say to yoursxlf I m only onx pxrson. No onx will noticx if I m involvxd or not, or whxthxr or not I do my bxst. But it doxs makx a diffxrxncx! To bx xffxctivx as a church, xvxryonx nxxds to bx activxly participating. Xvxryonx nxxds to bx an activx mxmbxr of thx Body of Christ. So, thx nxxt timx you think that you arx not important or nxxdxd, rxmxmbxr my old kxyboard. You arx a kxy pxrson! Discipleship Development is an Institute Christian of Christian Life Center Life Discipleship Center, A Institute Foursquare Purpose Church Jack & Jane Lankhorst, Pastors 1 9085 California Avenue, Riverside, CA 92503 951-689-6785 www.discipleshipdevelopment.org
2. God has created you with abilities and strengths for a specific and unique place in the Body of Christ. By understanding our gifts and abilities we can be more confident as a servant of Christ. WHY KNOW ABOUT SPIRITUAL GIFTS? 1. We are to be aware of our gifts and to use them as God provides the opportunities. 1 Corinthians 12:1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant (uninformed). 2. There are four primary texts that provide the basis for understanding spiritual gifts. The lists overlap, possibly indicating that there more. Write out the gifts that are mentioned in the passage given below. A. Romans 12:3-8 (Motivational gifts, or basic drive, given by the Father) B. 1 Corinthians 12:7-11, 28-31 (Gifts and abilities given by the Holy Spirit) C. Ephesians 4:11-12 (Gifts and callings given by Jesus to the Church) D. 1 Peter 4:9-11 CHARACTERISTICS OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS 1. Spiritual Gifts are, Divine endowments given by the Holy Spirit. (1 Corinthians 12:11) 2. The original Greek word for gift, as used in the context of a Spiritual Gift, is charis or charisma. It is an ability that, when used by the Holy Spirit, brings joy and results in devotion to God. 3. Every believer has one or more spiritual gifts. (Romans 12:4-8) 4. We will be held for whether or not we use them in obedience to the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 25:14-30, 1 Corinthians 4:2, 1 Peter 4:10) 5. The benefits. There will be greater unity and God will be glorified. (Ephesians 4:11-15) 6. Through the use of Spiritual Gifts, God s love flows through ME to others! (If I have been given the spiritual gift/ability of healing I need to find people needing healing) THREE WAYS SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE EXPRESSED 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute Purpose 2
1. Gifts (Charisma) - The spiritual drive which God places in us to enrich His Body, the Church. 2. Service (Diakonia) - The which are open to us for the exercise of our basic motivation. This is the basic word from which we get the word deacon or servant. 3. Working (Energema) - The in the lives of those to whom we minister as determined by the Holy Spirit. This is the word from we get the word energy or energetic. THE STEWARDSHIP OF OUR GIFTS 1 Peter 4:10 Each one should use whatever gift he has recieved to serve others, faithfully administering God s grace in its various forms. 1. Read the parable of the talents (Jewish currency) in Matthew 25:14-30 and Luke 19:12-28. 2. Ways we can abuse the understanding and use of our spiritual gifts... A. Doubting the importance of our spiritual gift so that we its expression. B. Viewing our gift as. C. our spiritual gift upon others, expecting them to serve as effectively as we do with similar results. D. Not serving others but using our spiritual gift for satisfaction. Our spiritual gifts are not for us but are to be used by the Holy Spirit through us as He sees necessary. E. Not allowing the Holy Spirit to use us outside of our spiritual gifts. Our spiritual gifts are a starting point for service. At times God may use us in ways not necessarily in line with our spiritual gifts. In this way we learn to trust Him more. 3. We have been entrusted with these grace gifts as stewards, and there needs to be a commitment to their growth and use. What can you do to develop your spiritual gifts? A. Once we discover our spiritual gifts, use them to serve others. B. Be confident in God s ability to accomplish His will in your life. C. Be a model to other believers of a fruitful life in Christ. Lead by example and guide others into a deeper understanding of what it means to walk personally with Jesus Christ. THE SPIRITUAL SURVEY Please do the Spiritual Gifts Survey now. Then record your four dominant Spiritual Gifts. If there are ties, record the one you think best describes you. Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute Purpose 3
1. 2. 3. 4. Other gifts... DEFINITIONS OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS Following are brief definitions, in alphabetical order, of spiritual gifts found in the Bible. 1. Administration - the ability to help determine long range goals and devise plans to see the goals carried out in the Body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:28) 2. Apostle - The ability to be sent into areas with no viable work and to begin one, and then to govern and assume the leadership for churches in a given region. (Ephesians 4:11) 3. Celibacy - The ability to remain single and enjoy it for the specific purpose of furthering the Gospel. (1 Corinthians 7:7-8) 4. Craftmanship - The divine enablement to facilitate ministry through various creative means and styles. (Exodus 31: 2-11, Acts 9: 36-39) 5. Creative Communication - The divine ability to communicate God s truth through a variety of art forms. (1 Chronicles 25:1-7) 6. Deliverance/Exorcism - The ability to cast out demons and evil spirits. (Acts 8:5-8) 7. Discernment - The ability to know with assurance whether a behavior said to be of God is in fact of God or of flesh or of satanic origin. (1 Corinthians 12:10) 8. Encouragement - The ability to speak words of comfort, consolation, encouragement and counsel to people in such a way as to strengthen and help. (Romans 12:8) 9. Evangelism - The ability to share the gospel with people readily and naturally and seeing people respond to the message. (Ephesians 4:11; 2 Timothy 4:5) 10. Faith - The ability to discern with extra-ordinary confidence to the will and purposes of God for the future of His work. (1 Corinthians 12:9) 11. Giving - The ability to contribute material resources to the work of the Lord with liberality and cheerfulness. (Romans 12:8) 12. Healing - The ability to pray over the sick or injured and see them healed. (1 Corinthians 12:9) 13. Helps - The ability to invest time and talents into another ministry to increase another ministries effectiveness. (1 Corinthians 12:28) 14. Hospitality - The ability to provide food and shelter to anyone in need. (1 Peter 4:9-10) Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute Purpose 4
15. Intercession - The ability to pray for extended periods of time on a regular basis to see specific answers to prayer. (Colossians 4:12) 16. Interpretation of tongues - The ability to interpret utterances in tongues given in a public gathering. (1 Corinthians 12:10) 17. Knowledge - The ability to receive and communicate specific facts relating to people and situations. (1 Corinthians 12:8) 18. Leadership - The ability to set goals, communicate them to others and then place people in areas best suited to accomplish these goals. (Romans 12:8) 19. Martyrdom - The ability to undergo suffering for the faith to the point of death while consistently maintaining and displaying the virtues of Christ. (Acts 7:59-60) 20. Mercy - The ability to feel sympathy and compassion to individuals suffering and then to translate to those feeling to cheerfully done deeds of service. (Romans 12:8) 21. Miracles - The ability to serve as human intermediaries of God to perform powerful acts that alter the ordinary course of nature. (1 Corinthians 12:10, 28) 22. Missionary - The ability to minister to people of another culture and even adapt to that culture for the ministry of the gospel. (Acts 13:2-3, Romans 10:15) 23. Pastor/Shepherding - The ability to assume a long term personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a group of people. (Ephesians 4:11) 24. Prophecy - The ability to receive and communicate a message from God to His people. (Romans 12:6, Ephesians 4:11) 25. Service - The ability to recognize and resolve unmet needs in a task related to God s work. (Romans 12:7) 26. Teaching - The ability to clearly communicate information relevant to the health and ministry to the Body and it s members. (Ephesians 4:11) 27. Tongues - The ability to speak in a language not known by the speaker. This is done in the context of a public gathering. (1 Corinthians 12:10, 28) 28. Voluntary Poverty - The ability to give all material possessions and adopt a lifestyle equivalent to those on a poverty level in order to minister. (1 Corinthians 13:3) 29. Wisdom - The ability to receive and communicate God given insight to specific needs arising in the Body of Christ. (1 Corinthians 12:8) Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute Purpose 5
WHO S MISSING? 1. Because the Body of Christ is made up of many different members with different gifts, expressions and intensities, the Body of Christ is affected when people are not involved and active (Note the illustration of an incomplete body drawn by Joe Cornelius). Ephesians 4:16 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. 2. Even though people may know their spiritual gifts, why do you think some do not express them in service? 3. How do you think inactivity affects the Church as a whole? 4. Are you functioning in your giftedness? If so, where? Christian Life Center Discipleship Institute Purpose 6