Session 5 • Family • Activation
In scripture we read that every believer has been given a gift, or grace, by the Holy Spirit in order to build up and edify the church. These are known as spiritual gifts. The Holy Spirit determines which gift is given and each gift is equally valuable. Each of the passages below lists or describes various spiritual gifts.
“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. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”
“So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”
“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.”
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praisedthrough Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.”
Often we discover what our spiritual gift is through the encouragement or affirmation of others in our community. Not only can we ask God for particular gifts (The apostle Paul tells us to eagerly desire the gift of prophecy) but we can also ask God to show us which spiritual gift he has already given us. Read through the list below prayerfully and notice what stands out to you. There is also a spiritual gift assessment at the end which you may find helpful to use.
People with this gift are organized and are able to serve the body by helping others to remain on task.
People with this gift will often plant churches or become missionaries. Apostles motivate the church to carry out the Great Commission in Matthew 28.
People with this gift are able to recognize the true intentions and motivations of others.
People with this gift have a deep desire to lead others to salvation through Jesus.
People with this gift encourage others in the work of the Kingdom.
People with the gift of faith trust God to do the impossible. They also encourage others to trust God against all odds.
People with this gift give freely and cheerfully to others out of their resources and finances.
People with this gift have compassion on those who are sick. They pray with faith that Jesus may be glorified through physical, emotional or spiritual healing and deliverance.
People with this gift have an ability to make strangers or guests feel welcome and at ease. They often enjoy opening their home to others.
This gift is listed alongside the gift of tongues. People with this gift receive revelation from God about the meaning of the words being spoken so that the message can be communicated to others.
People with this gift have a God-given ability to learn, know and explain the truth of God’s word. A ‘word of knowledge’ is information revealed to the believer about a person or situation that they could never have know otherwise.
People with this gift motivate others to work together to accomplish the goals of the church.
People with this gift will feel deep empathy and compassion for others, particularly those who are hurting. They often meet needs in practical ways.
People with this gift care for the spiritual and physical wellbeing of others.
People with this gift receive a divinely inspired word of God, which they then interpret and communicate to the church for the purposes of edifying and exhorting others.
People with this gift often work behind the scenes, identifying and meeting the practical needs of others.
People with this gift are able to communicate the truth of God clearly in a way that others can understand and apply to their lives.
People with this gift are able to speak in a human or heavenly language through the power and prompting of the Holy Spirit.
People with this gift can discern the work of God in others and can apply the word of God to individual situations and circumstances.
If you are unsure what your spiritual gift is you can begin by praying about it or talking to a trusted spiritual friend of leader. You might find it helpful to take a spiritual gifts assessment. There are a number of free resources listed below:
Lifeway Spiritual Gifts Assessment
In the following podcast The Bible Project founders answer questions about the Holy Spirit, including questions specifically related to Spiritual Gifts.