We are: Gifted to Serve

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” – 1 Peter 4:10

Spiritual Gifts

Spiritual gifts are gifts to do certain things well (or with ease and effectiveness), given by the Holy Spirit, to build up the church. The Bible tells us that God endows these gifts to believers through the Holy Spirit so that we might work together to build up the church and advance His kingdom.

 

Our pastors have studied scripture to identify what we believe are 16 spiritual gifts that we see in the Bible. These gifts are detailed below, with scriptural references for their meaning and applications included for each.

 

When you take the Spiritual Gifts Assessment we’ve created for free use, linked below, you’ll find a report of how these 16 gifts appear in your life and ministry as a believer. This tool is intended to help you identify how the Holy Spirit has specifically equipped you and kickstart your journey to discover how you’re called to use those gifts to serve Grace.

Spiritual Gifts Frequently Asked Questions
Romans 12:3-8
For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 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; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 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.

 

Romans 12:3-8 (NIV)

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

 

7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

 

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 (NIV)

1 Corinthians 12:27-28

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues.

 

1 Corinthians 12:27-28 (NIV)

Ephesians 4:11-13
11 So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 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.

 

Ephesians 4:11-13 (NIV)

1 Peter 4:9-11
9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 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 praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

 

1 Peter 4:9-11 (NIV)

Spiritual Gifts Assessment

Grace Covenant Church utilizes an online tool to help people discover and learn more about their spiritual gifts, including a ranking of how you are gifted and descriptions of the “Top Three” gifts most present in your responses. This tool is meant as a resource to help guide conversations with family and friends, as you test these results with those who know you best to see how they stack up. Then, consider how you are called to serve the body of Christ with the gifts you have received through faith in Jesus.

Take the Assessment

Grouping the Gifts

In order to help us think through and understand what the gifts are and how they operate, we’ve separated them into four Categories of Giftings. These four areas seem to sort of group together around a particular kind of gift: Leading, Teaching, Service and Compassion. These separations are not biblical nor sacred but intended to provide clarity and commonality for believers.

Leading

Training

Service

Compassion

Leading

“Leading” gifts are those that build up the church and facilitate growth, development, stewardship and direction to those that participate in the local church body. This includes Administration, Apostleship, Leadership and Shepherding gifts.

Administration

Administration is the gift to manage and direct people, resources, and details in an efficient and effective way. It is the ability to understand the objectives and goals of the church, organizing plans to accomplish those goals. (Organizing/ Managing/ Detailed).

  • 1 Cor. 12:28 – Greek: kubernesis – to steer, guide
Apostleship

Apostleship is the gift to visualize and create new ministry opportunities. It is a special leadership capacity to get things done with direction from God in order to meet needs and get other leaders to join. Someone with this gift isn’t an “Apostle” with the authority that Paul or Peter had, but similarly starts new initiatives for God. (Pioneering/ Entrepreneur/ Establishing/ Creating).

  •  Eph. 4:11; 1 Cor. 12:28 – Greek: apostolos – one sent forth (apo = from / stello = send)
Leadership

Leading is the gift to coordinate people toward a shared vision. It is the ability to set goals in accordance with God’s purpose and communicate them in a way that inspires others to work together to accomplish them. (Overseeing/ Vision-casting/ Guiding).

  • Romans 12:8 – Greek: proistamentos – the one who presides, set over, direct
Shepherding

Shepherding is the gift and responsibility to spiritually care for, protect, guide, and feed a group of believers entrusted to one’s care. To see the spiritual needs of others and to contribute to their becoming more like Christ in all of life. It is the gift to assume personal responsibility for the welfare of a group of believers. (Pastoring/ Guiding/ Spiritual caregiving/ Nourishing)

  • Ephesians 4:11 – Greek: poimenas – shepherd, pastor

Training

“Training” gifts are those that share the Gospel and equip believers to grow in their faith, recognize and turn from sin, and become like Christ in all of life. This includes Evangelism, Knowledge, Prophecy and Teaching gifts.

Evangelism

Evangelism is the gift of desiring to be a part of lost people coming to Jesus. It is the ability to share the gospel in ways that challenge people to seriously consider the message so that they trust in Christ. (Recruiting/ Sharing faith effectively/ Compassion for the lost).

  • Eph 4:11 – Greek: euaggelistes – messenger of good news (eu = good / angelos = news)
Knowledge

Knowledge is the gift to discover, gather, analyze, and clarify information and ideas that contribute towards the spiritual growth of others. It is the ability to understand Biblical truth and theological concepts. (Understanding/ Clarity/ Synthesizing)

  • 1 Cor. 12:8 – Greek: gnosis – knowledge, knowing
Prophecy

Prophecy is the gift to speak forth the message of God to His people. Often it includes recognizing sinful behavior and the strength to confront others about sin. The ability to receive and communicate a message from God and declare it to His people. A connotation of “prophecy” is “seeing the future,” but the Bible emphasizes “speaking on behalf of God.” (Attentive/ Courage/ Confronting sin).

  • Romans 12:6; 1 Cor. 12:10; Eph. 4:11 – Greek: prophetes – to speak forth (pro = forth / phemi = speak)
Teaching

Teaching is the gift to understand and communicate truth about God or the Bible in a clear and relevant way. It is the ability to explain Scripture in a memorable way that people can then apply to their lives for true understanding and growth.
(Preaching/ Communicating/ Illustrating truth/ Helping others grow in knowledge).

  • Rom. 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:28; Eph. 4:11 – Greek: didasko – to teach, instruct

Service

“Service” gifts are those that support the ministry of the local church quite literally through giving of one’s time, talent and treasure for the benefit of others. This includes Faith, Giving, Hospitality and Serving gifts.

Faith

Faith is the gift of being able to trust God, especially in the middle of difficult circumstances. To be firmly persuaded of God’s power and promises to accomplish His purpose. This involves possessing a visionary faith that inspires others to trust in the Lord as well and wait patiently for him to move. (Trusting/ Believing/ Acting on the will of God).

  • 1 Cor. 12:9; Heb. 11:1 – Greek: pistis – faith, belief, trust
Giving

Giving is the gift to share material resources with generosity and without thought of return.
It is the ability to joyfully contribute one’s material resources and finances to the work of God with cheerfulness and generosity. (Providing/ Resourcing/ Meeting physical and financial needs).

  •  Romans 12:8 – Greek: metadidous – to give, share
Hospitality

Hospitality is the gift to warmly welcome people, even strangers, into one’s group, church, or home as a means of serving. To identify and meet the needs of others in appropriate and effective ways so that they feel welcomed, loved, cared for, and included. (Welcoming/ Hosting/ Community-building/ Meeting needs/ Inclusive).

  • 1 Peter 4:9-10 – Greek: philoxenia – love for other/stranger
Serving

Serving is the gift to identify necessary tasks for the work of ministry and use available resources to get the job done. To serve and assist others in ministry with an attitude of joy and contentment. It is the ability to invest one’s talents in ministry, enabling others to increase the effectiveness of their own spiritual gifts. (Implementing plans/ assisting others/ Increasing effectiveness of ministry).

  • Romans 12:7 – Greek: diakonia – ministry, service
  • 1 Cor. 12:28 – Greek: antilempsis – help, ministry, aid

Compassion

“Compassion” gifts are those that care for both the body of believers and the “widows and orphans” and others in need within the community which the Bible calls followers of Jesus to tend to. This includes Discernment, Encouragement/Exhortation, Mercy, and Wisdom gifts.

Discernment

Discernment is the gift of being able to distinguish what is taking place spiritually. It is the ability to recognize what is true and what is false, seeing past what is said and being able to clearly distinguish truth from error by judging whether the behavior or teaching is from God, Satan, human error, or human power. (Evaluating/ Insightful).

  • Philippians 1:9-10; 1 Cor. 12:10 – Greek: diakrisis – distinguishing, judging
Encouragement / Exhortation

Encouragement/ Exhortation is the gift to encourage and counsel other members of the body of Christ so that they feel strengthened in their faith. It is the ability to come alongside someone with words of encouragement, comfort, consolation, and counsel to help them become more like Christ in all of life. (Counseling/ Motivating/ Helping others persevere).

  • Romans 12:8 – Greek: paraklesis – to one’s side, come alongside
Mercy

Mercy is the gift to express genuine compassion and empathy toward people who are suffering or in need. It is the ability to move toward the hurting and needy and express care in both emotional and tangible ways. (Relieving Emotional Hurt/ Empathy/ Compassion).

  • Romans 12:8 – Greek: eleos – mercy, compassion
Wisdom

Wisdom is the gift to apply spiritual truths and knowledge to make the right decisions. Applying biblical principles in specific situations. It is the ability to share words of wisdom with people that speak to the difficult situations or problems they are facing.
(Applying truth/ Offering advice).

  • 1 Cor. 12:28 – Greek: sophias – wisdom, insight

Gifted to Serve sermons

Below, we have compiled sermons delivered by Dr. Kevin Maurice in 2023, which expand on the biblical framework for spiritual gifts.

Realm

 

Add your Top Three spiritual gifts to your Realm profile to help us get to know you better and to connect you with service opportunities well-aligned with your gifts.

 

Adding Your Gifts to Realm

  1. Once logged in to Realm Connect, click on the menu icon (three dots on iPhone, three lines on Android).
    1. If you do not have a Realm Account, click here to request one.
  2. Select “Serving.”
  3. Select “Serving Profile” from the blue banner.
  4. Click “Select Skills and Interests.”
  5. Using the checkboxes, add your top three Spiritual Gifts.
  6. Then, add your Top Quadrant (the color Quadrant for your top gift).
  7. Click Next.
  8. Using the checkboxes, select the ministry areas where you might be interested in serving, or are already serving.
  9. Click Save.