Quick Summary
- Every believer receives spiritual gifts from the Holy Spirit
- Gifts are for building up the church, not personal glory
- Discover gifts through prayer, trying different ministries, and feedback
- Use your gifts to serve others and glorify God
What Are Spiritual Gifts?
Spiritual gifts are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit to every believer for serving the church and advancing God's kingdom (1 Corinthians 12:7, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:11-12).
Complete List of Spiritual Gifts
| Gift | Description | Scripture |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching | Explaining Scripture clearly and helping others understand | Romans 12:7 |
| Leadership | Guiding and directing others toward godly goals | Romans 12:8 |
| Service | Meeting practical needs and helping others | Romans 12:7 |
| Mercy | Showing compassion and care for those suffering | Romans 12:8 |
| Giving | Generous financial support of God's work | Romans 12:8 |
| Encouragement | Building others up and motivating them spiritually | Romans 12:8 |
| Evangelism | Effectively sharing the gospel with unbelievers | Ephesians 4:11 |
| Wisdom | Applying biblical truth to specific situations | 1 Cor 12:8 |
| Faith | Extraordinary trust in God's promises and power | 1 Cor 12:9 |
| Discernment | Distinguishing between truth and error | 1 Cor 12:10 |
How to Discover Your Gifts
- Pray: Ask God to reveal how He's gifted you
- Study Scripture: Learn about gifts in Romans 12, 1 Cor 12, Ephesians 4
- Serve: Try different ministries and see where you're effective
- Get Feedback: Ask mature believers what gifts they see in you
- Look for Passion: What ministry burdens your heart?
- Notice Fruit: Where is God using you to impact others?
Remember:
- Gifts are for serving others, not self-promotion
- Every gift is equally important in the body
- You likely have multiple gifts, not just one
- Gifts must be used in love (1 Corinthians 13)