God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.
1 Peter 4:10
Spiritual gifts are the unique ways that the Holy Spirit works through you supernaturally to accomplish the mission of Jesus. They are the visible effect of God’s grace in our lives, enabling us to demonstrate his love to others. When we all utilize the gifts God has given each of us, we make his love more evident to one another.
Read through 1 Corinthians 12:12-27. Using the spiritual gifts assessment and the feedback from your group this week, make a practical list of how your gifts might encourage someone else.
Using your list from last week, ask God to put someone on your heart, and serve them utilizing your gift(s).
He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
Ephesians 4:16
We believe that the spiritual gifts listed in scripture are not necessarily an exhaustive list; there are additional ways that God’s grace can show itself through believers in consistently supernatural ways. For those gifts that are included in scripture, we have included definitions and scriptural examples here.
Wisdom
The gift of wisdom is when someone has a supernatural ability to deeply understand and guide a matter. Words of wisdom are given to help people make honorable decisions and live in God’s blessing. Examples: Matthew 10:19-20, Luke 20:20-26, Acts 4:13
Knowledge
The gift of knowledge is when someone knows something they could not without God’s informing. Words of knowledge are given to show people that God sees them, knows them and understands them. Examples: Luke 5:21-22, John 4:16-18
Faith
The gift of faith is when someone is given a supernatural ability to trust in, and act on, God’s promises. Faith is given to demonstrate God’s faithfulness and show others how to trust God more deeply. Examples: Matthew 14:25-31, Acts 6:1-8, Acts 11:19-24
Healing
Gifts of healing are when the power of God heals someone’s body supernaturally. Healing gifts are given to reveal the hope of heaven and help people experience God’s love in a tangible way. Examples: Matthew 15:30-31, Mark 10:46-52, Acts 3:2-7
Miracles
The gift of miracles is when God intervenes in the natural order of things. Miracles are given to reveal God’s sovereignty, strength and character. Examples: Luke 8:22-25, Matthew 14:13-21, Acts 19:11-12
Prophecy
The gift of prophecy is when God speaks to and through someone with supernatural truth and power. Prophecy is given to build up, inspire and comfort people with God’s truth, and equip them to live it out. Examples: Matthew 16:15-19, Mark 10:32-34, Acts 15:32
Discernment
The gift of discerning spirits is when someone is able to understand the spiritual motivations and activity of a moment. Spiritual discernment is given to eliminate confusion, establish peace and engage in healthy spiritual warfare. Examples: Mattew 22:16-18, John 2:23-25
Tongues
The gift of tongues is when someone is enabled to speak an unknown language. Tongues are given to help people align their hearts with the Holy Spirit, expand their faith, and hear God more clearly. Examples: Mark 16:17-18, Acts 10:44-48, Acts 19:6
Interpretation
The gift of interpretation is when God reveals to one person the meaning of another person’s gift of tongues. Interpretation is given to show the unity and interdependence of the Holy Spirit’s gifts, and to share the blessing of tongues with others. Examples: 1 Corinthians 14:26-28
Helping
The gift of helping (or serving) is when someone is given a supernatural capacity for serving and supporting others, regardless of the task. Helping is given to catalyze the mission and show the active humility of Jesus.
Leadership
The gift of leadership is when someone is able to gather, mobilize and develop people. Leadership is given to unite and maximize God’s people.