Spiritual Gifts Survey
Spiritual Gifts Survey
God has given each Christian two vitally important gifts. The first is
the gift of faith in Jesus Christ, his work of redemption and forgiveness
of sin. The second is the gift of one or more special abilities, which
are to be used to unify the body of Christ and the growth of God’s
Kingdom. These abilities are called spiritual gifts and they are received
through our baptism. Like other presents, it’s impossible to fully
appreciate and make use of our spiritual gifts until they have been opened.
You can begin to open your spiritual gifts through the following activities:
To explore the use of your spiritual gifts, contact Vicki Russell, Good Shepherd’s Director of Volunteer Ministries, at vicki.gslc@sbcglobal.net or 772-4075. She’ll have suggestions about the various ministries in which your particular gifts would be most effective.
Scripture Review
The Apostle Paul addresses the presence of spiritual gifts in three main sections of scripture: Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, and Ephesians 4. Peter also verifies their existence in 1 Peter 4:10. Through these sections of scripture, we learn that all Christians have been given at least one spiritual gift. The purpose of spiritual gifts is: (1) to unify Christians in their faith and (2) to produce growth within the church, both numerical and spiritual. These gifts are to be used out of love for one another and in service to one another. We do not choose which gifts we will receive - God bestows them upon us through the work of the Holy Spirit.
Not all of the gifts identified in Scripture are used in this inventory. The spectacular gifts (speaking in tongues, healing and miracles, prophecy, bold proclamation of God) and some of the non-spectacular gifts (martyrdom, celibacy) have not been included. Although these gifts exist, they are not commonly utilized in the mainstream of congregational life. Since the objective of spiritual gift development is to unify and produce growth through service, only the service related gifts have been included.
Self Assessment
You’re ready to begin! To explore God’s purpose for your life by taking the survey, click on Spiritual Gifts.
