Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts

Discovering Your
Spiritual Gifts Seminar
“When God Calls,
God Equips”
Prepared by
Pastor Leonardo Rahming

INTRODUCTION
1. Most Christians do not understand that
God has called them to ministry in the
local church and so they conceive of
themselves as spectators rather than
participants.
2. Many church members are actively
involved in the ministry of the local
church, but who are not functioning in a
ministry which corresponds to their
spiritual gifts. This leads to boredom,
burnout, and eventually drop-out.

BIBLE CHAPTERS ABOUT
SPIRITUAL GIFTS

• 1 Corinthians chapters 12-14
• Romans chapter 12
• Ephesians chapter 4
• 1 Peter chapter 4

Background of 1 Corinthians

• 1 Corinthians was written by the
apostle Paul to a church in the city
of Corinth
• 1 Corinthians was written to
address issues within the church.
• This church faced a variety of
problems. It was a problem church.

“Many of the people were creating an
atmosphere of chaos rather than
order.”
•Immorality and Litigation – 5:1-6:20
•Marriage – 7:1-40
•Meat Offered to idols – 8:1-11:1
•Women in Worship – 11:2-16
•Lord’s Supper Abused – 11:17-34
•Spiritual Gift Problems – 12:1-14:40
•Disbelief in the Resurrection – 15:1-58

Strength and Weakness
Strength Weakness
• Many of the people • The church allowed
in the church of itself to be divided
Corinth were over its strengths,
operating freely in over personalities,
the power and gifts over theologies, and
of the Holy Spirit over issues it felt
particularly
important.

The Spiritual Gift Problem
1. The Apostle Paul tried to correct the
Corinthians who were using the
gifts as signs of how spiritual they
are because they were able to
prophecy, speak in tongues, and
perform miracles.
2. Every individual seemed to be more
concerned about their own personal
edification rather than the
edification, or the ‘building up,’ of
the entire congregation.

Apostle Paul & Spiritual Gifts
1 Corinthians chapter 12:1 “Now
concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I
would not have you ignorant.”
c.Spiritual fr. Gk. Means – “things
characterized or controlled by the
Spirit.”
d.Gifts – Gk “charisma” (charismatic)
root-(charis) means “grace” which
teaches us that they are gifts of grace
– “God’s grace.”

Apostle Paul Main Points

c. “The Gifts are given by God’s grace,
not by man’s inherent spirituality.”

e. “The Gifts are actually a
manifestation of the Spirit, not a
manifestation of their own spirituality.”

Ephesians chapter 4:7-8, “But unto everyone of
us is given grace according to the measure
of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith,
WHEN HE ASCENDED UP ON HIGH, HE LED
CAPTIVITY CAPTIVE, AND GAVE GIFTS
UNTO MEN.”
Gift – stresses virtually the same; it is gift not
reward. They are gifts of grace , not merit.
a. The emphasis in our text is not on the Holy
Spirit, but rather on the Lord Christ.
b. It is as a result of our Lord’s victory over
death, the grave climaxing in His ascension
that spiritual gifts are freely give upon men.

What Is Spiritual Gift?
• “It is a • “It is a channel
supernatural ability through which God
given by God to ministers
everyone at the effectively to His
moment of his or church.”
her salvation
according to God’s
grace.”

The Purpose of Spiritual Gift

• To enable its • To help the
possessor to church fulfill its
witness. divine mission.

• Matthew
28:18-20.
• Go ; Teach;
Baptize; Teach

Talents vs. Gifts

Natural Talents Spiritual Gifts
• From God through • From God independent
parents of parents
• From birth • From rebirth
• To benefit mankind on • To benefit mankind on
the natural level the spiritual level
• Must be recognized, • Must be recognized,
developed, exercised. developed, exercised.
• Ought to be dedicated by • Ought to be used for
believers God’s glory to God for
His use and glory.

Natural Talents and Spiritual Gifts
b.Natural talents, or natural abilities may be
developed through the years, such as
playing a musical instrument.
c.Natural talents may be useful or
entertaining but they deal primarily with the
surfaces of life.
d.A talent can be possessed by anyone,
Christian or non-Christian.
e.But a spiritual gift is only possessed by
Christians.

Spiritual Gifts
• Spiritual Gifts are not rewards for a
job well done, they are the tools to do
the job well.
• They are operational tools designed to
accomplish assigned tasks for the
advancement of the Kingdom of God.
• It takes the new birth to energize a
person with the Spirit.

Session Two

What Kinds of Gifts Have Been
Given?

1 Corinthians 12:4-6
“Now there are diversities of gifts, but
the same Spirit.”
“And there are differences of
administrations, but the same Lord.”
“And there are diversities of operations,
but it is the same God which worketh all
in all.”
•Contrast in vss. 4-6.
•This diversity is by God’s design.

The Unity Of Diversity
• One God, one Christ, and one Spirit
means God has one will.
• Unity is not in being alike nor thinking
alike. Unity is in having the same
purpose.
• God has built unity into His church,
but it will only be maintained when
there is a diversity of ministry.
• Diversity is God’s design to maintain
unity in His church.

List of Spiritual Gifts in
the Bible
Romans 12:4-8 (7) 1 Cor. 12:29-30 (7)
• Prophecy • Apostles
• Ministry • Prophecy
• Teaching • Teaching
• Exhortation • Miracles
• Giving • Healing
• Ruling • Tongues
• Showing Mercy • Interpreting tongues

List of Spiritual Gifts
1 Cor. 12:8-10 (9) Ephesians 4:11(4)
• Word of Wisdom • Apostles
• Word of knowledge • Prophets
• Faith • Evangelists
• Healing • Pastors
• Miracles
• Prophecy
• Discerning of spirits
• Kinds of tongues
• Interpreting tongues

List of Spiritual Gifts
This is not a completed 1 Corinthians 12:28
list. (8)
• Apostles
There are other spiritual • Prophets
gifts not named in the • Teachers
New Testament: e.g. • Miracles
• Healing
Hospitality, Preaching,
Prayer, Music and • Helping
Counseling, etc. • Governing
• Diverse Tongues

Knowing Your Gifts
1. Support Gifts
2. Teaching Gifts
3. Leadership & Administrative
Gifts
4. Outreach Gifts
5. Specific Gifts “Power”

SUPPORT GIFTS
• The Holy Spirit has placed a number of
spiritual gifts in the church that are
unspectacular and quiet.
• Members with these gifts are those who do
the everyday work of the church.
• They are often unseen heroes who receive
little or no recognition for the vital part they
play.

Gift of Service (Helps)
• This gift enables a believer to work gladly
behind the scenes in order that God’s work
is fulfilled.
• Persons with this gift usually have unselfish
natures and like to do small things, even
menial tasks, with no thought of receiving
credit.
• Would rather do a job than find someone
else to do it.
• They enjoy relationships more than
recognition.
• Mark 15:40-41; Acts 9:36; Romans 16:1-2; 1
Corinthians 12:28).

Gift of Giving
People with this gift do not ask, “How much
money do I need to give to God?” but “How
much money do I need to live on?”
• Manage their finances and limit their
lifestyle in order to give as much of their
resources as possible.
• Support the work of ministry with
sacrificial gifts to advance the Kingdom.
• Meet tangible needs that enable spiritual
growth to occur.
• Provide resources, generously and
cheerfully, trusting God for His provision.

Gift of Mercy/Compassion
People with this gift feel exceptional
empathy and compassion for those who are
suffering (physically, mentally, or
emotionally).
• Tears come easily when they see or hear things
that sadden them.
• They express love, grace, and dignity to those
facing hardships and crisis.
• They want to help out and help people in misery.
• People in need like to have them around, because
they cheer them up.
• They are not easily repulsed by the sight of
miserable people but usually think, “How can I
help?”
• Luke 7:12-15; 10:30-37; Matthew 25:34-36

Gift of Exhortation
This gift helps others reach their full potential by
means of encouraging, challenging, comforting, and
guiding.

• People with this gift challenge or confront others
to trust and hope in the promises of God.
• People take their counsel and advice seriously
because they feel helped.
• People like to be around them because they urge
others to action by applying Biblical truth.
• They enjoy sharing their personal testimony with
people because they know God will use it to
encourage and help others.
• People with this gift truly help strengthen weak,
faltering, and fainthearted Christians.
• John 14:1; II Timothy 1:16-18; III John 5-8

Gift of Encouragement
• God gives some this gift to offer
comforting words of hope and
reassurance to discouraged, weak, or
troubled Christians in such a way that
they are consoled.
• People with this gift emphasize God’s
promises and confidence in His will.
• Rom 12:6-8; Titus 1:9; Acts 11:23-24; I
Thess. 2:11-12

Gift of Hospitality
• People with this gift provide an open home
and warm welcome to those in need of
food, lodging, and fellowship.
• They love to entertain and create a safe
and comfortable setting where
relationships can develop.
• They meet new people and help them feel
welcome.
• People with this gift ought to make up the
core of greeters or receptionists at the
door of the church on Sabbath morning
• Romans 12:13; 16:23a; Luke 10:38

Gift of Craftsmanship/Artist
• Make things which increase the
effectiveness of other’s ministries.
• Design and build tangible items and
resources for ministry use.
• Work with different kinds of tools and are
skilled with their hands.
• Develop and use artistic skills such as
drama, writing, art, music, etc.
• Use variety and creativity to captivate
people and cause them to consider
Christ’s message.
• (Exodus 30:22-25; Exodus 31:3-11; 2
Chronicles 34:9-13; Acts 18:2-3).

SUPPORT GIFTS
1. Service (Helps)
2. Giving
3. Mercy/Compassion
4. Exhortation
5. Encouragement
6. Hospitality
7. Craftsman / Artist

TEACHING GIFTS
• The spiritual gifts that fall under the category
of teaching are profoundly valuable in the life
of the church.
• They are also some of the most
underutilized.
• The gifts of wisdom, knowledge, pastoring or
shepherding are related to the specific
spiritual gift of teaching.

Gift of Teaching
I Cor. 12:28; Matt. 5:1-12; Acts 18:24-48
• People will constantly understand truth as
a result of their teaching.
• The Teacher will have an intense desire to
understand truth and will excel in the
ability to explain it to others.
• People with this gift are not satisfied with
unclear or obscure meanings. They will
work at it until the truth is clear and easily
understood.
• People progress in knowledge and
understanding as a result of the work of
these gifted teachers.

Gift of Knowledge
• The gift that drives a person to learn,
analyze and uncover new insights with
regard to the Bible and Faith.
• Some people have been given the ability
to dig deep and accumulate a reservoir of
knowledge about the Scriptures and the
way of salvation that is invaluable to the
work of the church.
• The gifts of teaching and knowledge are
combined so that the recipient becomes a
scholar-teacher.
• I Cor. 12:8; I Cor. 14:6; Romans 12:2

Gift of Knowledge

• These people know • They know how to
how to connect use Bible
bits and pieces of dictionaries,
information so that encyclopedias,
they make a logical commentaries, and
whole. handbooks.
• They read • They know how to
extensively. accurate exegete a
biblical passage
and dig out its
historical
backgrounds etc.

Gift of Wisdom
• The gift that allows the believers to sort
through opinions, facts and thoughts in
order to determine what solution would be
best for the individual believer or the
community of believers
• The ability to apply spiritual truth to a
specific issue in a specifically relevant
fashion, and to make proper choices in
difficult situations, based on listening and
sufficient information.
• (Acts 6:3,10; 1 Corinthians 2:1-13; 12:8;
James 1:5; 2 Peter 3:15).

Gift of Pastoring or Shepherding
• The ability to assume a long-term personal
responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a
group of Believers with love, care,
discipleship, and counseling, moving them
to a deeper spiritual connection and
maturity with Christ.
• Those with this gift open doors, prepare the
way, provide materials, and prepare minds
to receive the teaching of the church.
• John 10:1-18; Ephesians 4:11-14; 1 Timothy
3:1-7; 1 Peter 5:1-3).

There is a distinction between the office of
pastor and the gift of pastor.
• The office of pastor is a position held by a
person who may have spiritual gifts other
than that of pastoring.
•The gift of pastoring is personal care for
members of the church and others serves as
a catalysts for a teaching ministry.
• The gift of pastoring is almost always
combined with other spiritual gifts such as
evangelism, teaching etc.

TEACHING GIFTS

1. Teaching
2. Knowledge
3. Wisdom
4. Pastoring or Shepherding

Leadership and Administrative
Gifts

• Leadership and administrative gifts
are those that deal with the overall
management and supervision of the
church . A person with one or more
of these gifts will be in the forefront
of church administration and activity.

Gift of Leadership
• This gift gives a believer the confidence to
step forward, give direction and provide
motivation to fulfill a dream or complete a
task.
• This gift involves inspiring people with a
vision of what can be done – and setting
the objectives and goals necessary to
fulfill that vision.
• Leadership implies responsibility, a high
degree of discipleship, and emotional
stability. A leader’s stress level can be
very high at times. John 21:15-17; II Tim.4:1-5

The Gift of Faith
This kind of Gift gives a believer the eyes to
see the Spirit at work and the ability to trust
the Spirit’s leading without indication of
where it all might lead.
• People with this gift looks to the future
rather than the past.
• See what God will do, even when it seems
impossible.
• They are the inventors and promoters of
plans, programs, and projects.
• They take risks to accomplish things for
the Kingdom of God, but they also use
common sense and rational judgment

Gift of Administration
I Cor. 12:28; Acts 14:23
• Have the abilities to organize things.
• Think in terms of helping others reach goals.
• Have a concern for the good of the entire group
when in charge of group.
• Don’t mind managing or carrying out the details
involved in initial planning done by others.
• They are planners and goal setters.
• They are the ones who can organize a program or
project and make it work.
• Leaders set the vision and inspire people to
attain it. Administrators organize things so the
vision can be attained.

Gift of Apostleship
Matt. 10:1-8; 1 Cor. 12:28-31; Acts 2:42-44

• A strong sense of a call by God for
establishing new work.
• A forceful personality that trusts God
to do what is necessary in unusual
situations in order to establish
authority for God’s work.
• A person who can sense what God
wants to do and is not afraid to try.

Leadership & Administrative
Gifts

1. Leadership
2. Faith
3. Administration
4. Apostleship

Outreach Gifts

• A number of spiritual gifts fall under
the classification of outreach gifts.
• They apply directly to the winning of
converts.
• These gifts are often high-profile,
and the people who have them tend
to function in highly visible roles.

Gift of Evangelism
• The ability to speak before large groups of
people and converse easily with strangers
and people of short acquaintance.
• The ability to persuade or influence people
to accept the Lord.
• An intense spirit of unease at the thought
of all the unsaved people in the world.
• The ability to insert spiritual truths into
normal conversation with unsaved people
and the ability to sense the timing.
• Unsaved people with whom you come in
contact often end up making commitments
to the Lord.

Gift of Evangelism

• One of the difficulties we Seventh-
day Adventists have with the gift of
evangelism is our use of the word
‘evangelism’ itself. To a Seventh-day
Adventist, evangelism almost
inevitably means ‘public meetings.’

• But there are, however, many kinds
of evangelism.

Gift of Evangelism
• Prayer Evangelism • Low – Key
• Friendship Evangelism
• Confrontation
Evangelism
• High – Key
• Teaching Evangelism
• Public Evangelism • Decision
• Follow-up Evangelism

Gift of Evangelism

• If only 10% of a congregation have
the gift of evangelism, what do the
other 90% do?

• Are they then free of soul-winning
responsibility?

Gift of Evangelism

• Not at all!

• Not all Christians are evangelists,
but all Christians are witnesses.

• Witnessing is a skill all Christians
must acquire. Anyone can tell what
the Lord has done for him or her.

Gift of Tongues
1 Cor. 12:7-11, 28-31; Acts 2:1-12; 10:44-46; Rom 8:26-27
• This gift is more than translation from one
language to another.
• It is the ability to pass on a divinely inspired
message in the dialect so that people understand
and get the point of the message.
• It is closer to a functional equivalent of the gift of
prophecy.
• The person with this gift may receive a
spontaneous message from God which is made
known to the church through the gift of
interpretation.
• When this gift is used in the church, an
interpretation must take place, or else the one
speaking the tongue should remain silent.

The Gift of Discernment
This is not a common gift and must be used
judiciously. It also takes courage, and many people
who have it are fearful of using it, because the
consequences can be turbulent.
Some characteristics of those who have this
gift are:
• A keen ability to recognize inconsistencies.
• The tendency to spot what is wrong with an
idea or teaching and to suggest how to fix it.
• A deep conviction not easily put to rest when
those with the gift know that people are being
given half-truths, misapplied truth, or false
teachings – and are being asked to act on
these teachings. John 16:6-15; Rom. 9:1; 1 Cor. 2:9-16

The Missionary Gift
Not everyone can work in a second culture,
nor called to do so

• This gift refers to the ability to work
cross-culturally.
• People with this gift serve outside
their country of origin.
• Paul is an example of someone with
this gift. Rom 1:5; Rom 15:16; Gal
2:7-8; 1 Tim 2:7

The Gift of Music
Music – Vocal Music - Instrumental
• The gift that gives a • The gift that inspires
believer the a believer to express
capability and personal faith and
opportunity to provide inspiration
present personal and comfort through
witness and the playing of a
inspiration to others musical instrument.
through singing. Psalm 33:1-5; 150; 1
Psalm 96:1-9; Samuel 16:14-23
100:1-2; 149:1-2

The Gift of Writing

• The gift that gives a believer the ability to
express truth in a written form.
• A form that can edify, instruct and
strengthen the community of believers
• 1 John 2:1-6, 12-14; I Timothy 3:14-15

Outreach Gifts

1. Evangelism
2. Tongues
3. Discernment
4. Missionary
5. Music
6. Writing

Specific Gifts
“Power”
• Power and Sign Gifts: These gifts are often
sensational and highly publicized that it frighten
people, especially in the scientifically oriented
Western world.
• These gifts come into play when it is necessary
to convince someone that the God of heaven is
superior to any other proposed god, or to the
powers of evil and to give specific instruction to
God’s people.
• They are evidences to unbelievers and skeptical
believers that God is indeed working in a certain
circumstance or occasion.
• 1 Kings 18; Acts 13: 6-12; Daniel 4:2-3

Gift of Miracles
• People with this gift perform acts of
supernatural power that are recognized by
others to have altered the ordinary course
of nature and bring power to the ministry
and message of Jesus Christ.
• Eg. Children born to barren parents; a
huge fish swallows a reluctant prophet;
the blind see; people with incurable
disease are healed and even the dead live
again.
• These miracles are to awaken and
strengthen faith in God.

Gift of Healing
• This gift usually comes as a direct answer
to prayer.
• This gift does not give a person
supernatural power over diseases.
• It doesn’t make doctors and nurses
obsolete, nor are healings always
permanent.
• The gift of healing is simply instruments in
God’s hands to be used in the time and
place He sees fit.
• People pray, touch, or speak words that
miraculously bring healing to someone.

Gift of Prophecy
• People with this gift receives and
communicates an immediate message
from God to His people through a divinely
appointed utterance.
• The primary problem with this gift is the
matter of authority.
• No prophetic utterance can supersede the
authority of the Bible.
• Therefore, any prophetic utterance must
first be tested by the Word of God.
• 1 Thess. 5:19-21

Gift of Intercession
• This special ability that God gives to certain
members of the body of Christ to pray for
extended periods of time on a regular basis and
see frequent answers to their prayers to a degree
much greater than that expected of the average
Christian.
• Intercessory prayer is a type of prayer focused on
a particular issue.
• It is one of the most powerful gifts a church can
have.
• This gift transforms ministries and growth in the
church.
• Experience demonstrates that every church has
someone with this gift. James 5:14-16; 1 Tim. 2:1-2;
Col. 4:12-13

Gift of Martyrdom
• This special gift God gives to some
members of the body to undergo suffering
for the faith, even to death, while
consistently displaying a joyous and
victorious attitude that brings glory to
God.
• These people face death for the cause of
God with a unique attitude.
• They go down singing, praising God, and
giving highly visible testimony to their
dedication.

Voluntary Poverty
1 Cor. 13:1-3; 8:9; Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35

• This special gift God gives to some
members of the body to renounce
material comfort and luxury and
adopt a personal lifestyle equivalent
to those living at the poverty level in
a given society, in order to serve
God more effectively.
• This is a sign to believers that the
Lord is truly working through these
disciples.
• Mother Teresa is a modern day example.

Gift of Celibacy
This gift of celibacy is not the same as being
single
• This spiritual gift given to some members
of the body of Christ to remain single
without regret and enjoy it.
• This gift gives you the ability to maintain
control over sexual impulses so as to
serve the Lord without distraction.
• A person with this gift consciously
decides to remain single in order to
dedicate time and energy to the Lord’s
work that might otherwise go into family
affairs. 1 Cor. 7:1-9; 7:32-35; Matt. 19:10-12

Specific Gifts
1. Power
2. Miracles
3. Healing
4. Prophecy
5. Intercession
6. Martyrdom
7. Poverty
8. Celibacy

Discovering Your Spiritual Gifts

In this document