Spiritual Gifts

Identifying and Using your Spiritual Gifts

How do we know how God is calling us to respond? Our first priority is spending time in prayer. As we deepen our relationship with God through the habit of daily prayer, we become more adept at understanding God’s will in our lives. Discovering our gifts and talents help us identify how God is calling each of us to a unique purpose. These gifts are to be shared with others. A steward’s personal response as a disciple is to share what one has received with a generous, grateful and loving heart.

As you begin to discern your spiritual gifts, pray for Jesus’ guidance and help in discovering your unique gifts. If you need some starters:

Prayerful Discernment

Lord, I stand in awe of the many gifts you have given me. I want to use them to serve you. Please guide and direct me in the discovery of my gifts. Help me find a place of joyful service that brings honor and glory to You.

God our Father, in Baptism You called me by name, as I begin this journey to discern your will for my life, help me to respond to these questions on the Spiritual Gifts Inventory.

Lord, as I prepare for this Spiritual Gifts discernment, let your strength and your wisdom be my guide. May you, the author and creator of all things, enlighten me and open my mind and heart.

Each Spiritual Gift Has a Special Place in the Body of Christ. Every gift that God has placed in the body of Christ, the church, is important. Some gifts such as preaching, teaching, and prophesying may seem more important than others such as hospitality or service. But God has given all of these gifts to build up his church. None of these gifts should be looked down upon or treated lightly.

So, what are the spiritual gifts that God has given to his people? Here is a list:

The ability to help steer the church, or a ministry, toward the successful completion of God-given goals, with skills in planning, organization, and supervision.

A person sent to new places with the gospel. You may have heard of missionaries going to different countries to help spread the Word; they could be described as apostles. An apostle can also provide leadership to other churches or ministries and offer advice on spiritual matters.

The wisdom to recognize truth from untruth by correctly evaluating whether a behavior or teaching is from God or another, ungodly source.

The ability to successfully communicate the message of the gospel, especially to nonbelievers.

Competence in offering encouragement, comfort, and support to help someone be all that God wants them to be.

People with this gift have such great confidence in the power and promises of God that they can stand strong in their belief, no matter what may try to shake them. They can also stand up for the church and for their faith in such a way as to defend and move it forward.

Those who have this gift are particularly willing and able to share what resources they have with pleasure, and without the need to see them returned.

A capability used by God to restore others, be that physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually.

Someone with this gift is able to support or assist members of the body of Christ so that they may be free to minister to others.

A natural ability to make people—even strangers—feel welcome in one’s own home or church as a means to disciple or serve them.

This is the gift of someone who actively pursues knowledge of the Bible. This person may also enjoy analyzing biblical data.

This aptitude marks a person who is able to stand before a church, to direct the body with care and attention, and to motivate them toward achieving the church’s goals.

This is the defining trait of a person with great sensitivity for those who are suffering. It manifests itself in offering compassion and encouragement, and in a love for giving practical help to someone in need.

The ability to speak the message of God to others. This sometimes involves foresight or visions of what is to come. This skill should be used only to offer encouragement or warning.

A talent for identifying tasks needed for the body of Christ and using available resources to get the job done.

The supernatural ability to speak in another language (one that has not been learned).

The skill to teach from the Bible and communicate it effectively for the understanding and spiritual growth of others.

The gift of being able to sort through facts and data to discover what needs to be done for the church.