Shoreline S.H.A.P.E. Class Materials Finding and Fulfilling the Unique Purpose for Life In Romans 12:4-8 Paul writes, For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Every Christian has been given and entrusted with particular gifts by the Holy Spirit to be used for God s greater glory. The purpose of these gifts is to help the church flourish and to achieve the goal of helping as many people as possible become totally committed to Jesus Christ. Before taking any type of spiritual gift classes or assessments there must be some basic prerequisites. To be able to identify your gifts you must: 1. Have committed your life to Christ. 2. Believe that Spiritual Gifts are alive and active. 3. Be prepared to put your gifts to use for that which you have been equipped. This is not an exercise just for knowledge, but for putting gifts into practice. 4. Be committed to praying for God to show you how you can use your gifts. If any of these prerequisites are not understood, the purpose of this class will not be achieved. As you continue on in this class and in the assessment, remember that spiritual gifts are never for our own pride or accomplishment, but for the Great Commission to be fulfilled! 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. Verses on Spiritual Gifts: Romans 12:6-8, I Cor 12:8-10, 28, Ephesians 4:11, I Peter 4:9-10, (Some people include Exodus 13:3-5) 1
S.H.A.P.E. 1. Spiritual Gifts: Unwrapping Your God- Given Treasures! God has given you certain gifts to help you effectively share his love and so you can make your own unique contribution to his kingdom. In the book, 19 Gifts of the Spirit, Leslie B. Flynn writes: You are a gifted child of God. Since you are also given an outlet for your gift, you are a minister too. For every gift he bestows, the Spirit has planned a sphere of service. Thus, no child should have an inferiority complex. Rather, awareness that s/he is a gifted child, with an area of ministry, should meet every child of God s psychological need to feel wanted and to possess a sense of worth. God has given us gifts and a way to discover them. 1 Cor. 12:1 Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. God wants us to be informed, so we can use the gifts he has given. What are spiritual gifts? A God- given ability, given when you become a believer to edify the church. Gifts are not about us or for us; they are given to edify the body. (1 Cor. 12:7) Gifts are not the same as natural talents, (they can be an indicator of gifts) and they are not the same as the fruit of the Spirit. Every Christian has a least one gift. 1 Cor. 7:7 Each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. Key to discovering gifts: 1.) Examine what gifts you think you might have 2.) Take a spiritual gifts test 3.) Serve in various roles to see which one works for you (fulfillment and fruit), as well as if other people affirm you in that role 4.) Ask people who know you well what gifts they see exhibited through you. 2. Heart: Discovering Your True Passion God has given you a heart and a passion that draws you towards things you really care about! Know what drives you Know who you care about Know the needs you will meet (spiritual, emotional, physical, relational, educational, vocational) 2
Know the cause you will help conquer 3. Abilities: Discovering What You Are Naturally Good At God has given you incredible strengths and natural abilities that you can use for his work! Embrace the things you love to do o What do you love to do? (Things you can t live without) o What do you like to do? (What things do you relatively enjoy, but you can take them or leave them) o What can you live without? (What leaves you depleted or drained) 4. Personality: Discovering Who God Made You to Be God has given you a personality that affects the way you interact with the world around you! Four important questions o How do you relate with others? Introverted vs. Extroverted o How do you structure your life? Controlled vs. Spontaneous o How do you take in information? Intuitive vs. Sensing o How do you make decisions? Thinking vs. Feeling Be true to who God made you to be for His kingdom! 5. Experiences: Discovering Where You Have Been God has been with you through the ups and downs and wants you to learn from your experiences! What were your greatest achievements and pains: o Personally? o Vocationally? o Relationally? o Educationally? o Spiritually? God has shaped your life for a greater purpose than just yourself! He has made you to uniquely affect the Kingdom of God in positive ways with your spiritual gifts, heart, abilities, personality, and experiences! 3
Descriptions of Spiritual Gifts and Abilities A. Administration The gift of administration is the ability that God blesses certain members of the church with to understand the short and long- term goals of their church and to be able to efficiently implement plans and processes to achieve these with a high level of organization. B. Apostolic This gift is the ability that God blesses certain members of the church with to conceive of and implement new ideas within the church. With ingenuity and an entrepreneurial spirit, those with this gift love to be part of the inception and beginning stages of new projects. C. Compassion The gift of compassion is the ability that God blesses certain members of the church with to feel genuine empathy and embody the mercy of Jesus Christ. With a cheerful spirit they love working with those that are suffering to alleviate their pain through support and the love of Christ. D. Discernment The gift of discernment is the ability that God blesses certain members of the church with to know when a situation or behavior is of God, from humanity, or of Satan. E. Encouragement The gift of encouragement is the ability that God blesses certain members of the church with to build others up, point out the best in them, and spur them on to do even better. F. Evangelism/Mission - The gifts of evangelism and missions is the ability that God blesses certain members of the church with to naturally share the gospel of Jesus Christ with unbelievers and minister to them in whatever context or culture they are in. G. Faith The gift of faith is the ability that God blesses certain members of the church with to fully trust in God no matter what the situation and believe that God s promises will be fulfilled. H. Giving The gift of giving is the ability that God blesses certain members of the church with to contribute their resources of time, money, and material goods to the work of the Lord without hesitation and with joy. I. Hospitality The gift of hospitality is the ability that God blesses certain members of the church with to open up their homes and hearts to those in need of love and community. J. Intercession (Prayer) - The gift of intercession is the ability that God blesses certain members of the church with to hear or sense a need and pray on a regular basis, and for prolonged amounts of time, to a greater degree than the average Christian. 4
K. Leadership The gift of leadership is the ability that God blesses certain members of the church with to cast vision and set goals in relation to the mission of the church in a way that empowers others to voluntarily work together for God s greater glory. L. Pastoring The gift of pastoring is the ability that God blesses certain members of the church with to take responsibility for the long- term personal growth and spiritual welfare of a group of believers. M. Service (Labor) The gift of labor is the ability that God blesses certain members of the church with to identify and meet the unmet needs involved in many different tasks that fulfill the calling of the church, typically jobs that aren t widely seen by the rest of the church. N. Service (Craftsmanship/Design) The gift of craftsmanship/design is the ability that God blesses certain members of the church with to use their hands, thoughts and minds to creatively and artistically further the work of the church and the Kingdom of God. This includes the areas of maintenance and building, artistic design, and beautification of God s Kingdom here on earth. O. Service (Artistic Expression) The gift of service through artistic expression is the ability that God blesses certain members of the church with to offer their talents of singing, playing music, dance, and other forms of expression to help others worship and praise the Lord. P. Service (Technical) The gift of technical service is the ability that God blesses certain members of the church with to offer their technical expertise through sound engineering, programming, and other technically based tasks to help facilitate the use of technology in the Lord s work. Q. Teaching The gift of teaching is the ability that God blesses certain members of the church with to communicate information relevant to the ministry and health of the overall church body in a way that is understandable, applicable, and biblical. R. Wisdom The gift of wisdom is the ability that God blesses certain members of the church with to have proper insight into how biblical knowledge can be applied in the specific lives and situations within the body of Christ. Top Five Gifts : (Make sure to write these down after you take your test so you have them recorded) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 5