Spiritual gifts are important. You should know what they are becauase if you don't, bla bla.
WHAT ARE THEIR PURPOSE?
The Holy Spirit empowers His followers to serve Him through the giving of specific spiritual gifts. These gifts imparted at the moment of salvation enable us to serve the Body of Christ and to be a witness for the gospel in the world. Scripture tells us that we are to pursue the gifts (1 Cor. 12:31; 14:1, 39), use them to serve others (1 Cor. 12:14-26), exercise them in an orderly manner (1 Cor. 14:40), and subject them to Scripture (1 Cor. 14:37).
DO ALL SPIRITUAL GIFTS EXIST TODAY?
We believe that the gifts of the Spirit are available today and are to be desired by God’s people (1 Cor. 14:1), but we must be careful to practice them according to the Scriptures. This is what is referred to as Continuitionism. We believe that good and godly men/women can have fellowship with one another regardless of their personal view of what "sign" gifts (tongues, miracles, healing) exist today.
As we locate ourselves along the spectrum, we need to avoid two extremes: The first is a non-biblical restriction of the gifts which we refer to as hyper-cessationism. This view believes that the "sign" gifts no longer exist and those who believe they do teach heresy. The second extreme is a non-biblical exaltation of the gifts – hyper-charismaticism. This view teaches that certain sign gifts (tongues or second baptism of spirit) are necessary for salvation. Both of these extremes we seek to avoid.
There is no one set defintion of the gifts that all believers share. But below you will find a basic overview. Remember each one of these gifts is given Verse on spirit has given a gift to each one.
"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
SPEAKING GIFTS
PROPHECY: To boldly and fearlessly proclaiming God's truth. (I Cor. 13:4)
TEACHING: divine ability to make clear the truth of God's Word with simplicity and accuracy. (Rom. 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:28)
EXHORTATION: a divine ability to strengthen and urge other to action through the Word of God. (Rom. 12:8)
EVANGELISM: Passionately leading others to the saving knowledge of Christ. (Eph. 4:11)
SERVING GIFTS
DISCERNMENT: supernatural ability to distinguish between spirits. (1 Cor. 12:10)
FAITH: an unusual ability to trust in God regardless of the circumstance; this is mountain moving faith. (1 Cor. 12:9)
WISDOM: ability to gain clear insight to the true nature of things. (1 Cor. 12:8)
KNOWLEDGE: ability to know and investigate an inquiry of God's revelation and truth. (1 Cor. 12:8)
MERCY: a divine ability to cheerfully and practically help those who are suffering or need compassion. (Rom. 12:8)
GIVING: a divine ability to contribute resources and money to the work of the Lord with great joy. (Rom. 12:8)
SERVICE: a divine ability to support and meet the needs of others. (Rom. 12:7; I Cor. 12:28)
ADMINISTRATION: a divine ability to plan and execute plans that accomplish the goals of the ministry. (Rom. 12:8; 1 Cor. 12:28)
LEADERSHIP: divine ability to cast vision and motivate others to accomplish God's purposes. (Rom. 12:8)
SIGN GIFTS
TONGUES: supernatural ability to speak an unlearned language. (1 Cor. 12:10, 28, 30)
INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES: a supernatural ability to translate an unlearned language. (1 Cor. 12:10, 30)
HEALING: supernatural ability to restore health. (1 Cor. 12:9, 28)
MIRACLES: ability to work supernatural acts that can only be explained as being from God. (1 Cor. 12:10, 28)
APOSTLE: one who is sent forth with a message with the goal of establishing churches in a foreign culture. Not to be confused with the office of apostle. (1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11)
Scripture teaches that we should be using our gifts to build up the body. In order to do that it's important that we explore what gifts the Holy SPirit has entrusted to each. It's important to understand that just because you do not feel strong in one area of giftedness doesn't advocate you from being responsibsile for it. For example, if you don't have the gift of giving doesn't mean that you are freed from the responsibility to give generously. Not having the gift of evangelism doesn't release you from your obligation to be a witness for Christ.
HOw to Disciover Your Gifts
There are many tools avialable, taking a spiritual gift inventory isn't wrong, but we believe that they typically aren't very helpful in accurately identying how the Lord has strengthed you.
The best way is to follow the
STEP ONE: STUDY
Dive in and begin to read Scripture. The three key passages that relate to spiritual gifts. This topic tends to be very confusing and contraversial. Many of the materials that exist fall depending where they align themselves theologically on this topic. THe best resource that we've come accross would the following:
We recommend the following 6-week study for Life Group to go through.
STEP TWO: SERVE
The best way to truly discover what your gifts are is to actually start serving.