The Foundation
God graciously distributes gifts to all of us & achieves His purposes through us. Our gifts are necessary; none are insignificant. We’re all equipped for works of service. When we serve with our gifts, we’re part of extending God’s hope to the world.
Teaching Notes
Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed (or unaware).
1 Corinthians 12:1 NIV
Spiritual gifts are special abilities given by the Holy Spirit and distributed to every believer according to God’s design and grace for the common good of the body of Christ.
A spiritual gift is a divine enablement that God entrusts to each individual believer in order to involve them in the task of advancing his purposes.
3 Critical Truths About Spiritual Gifts
1) The first critical about spiritual gifts involves INTERDEPENDENCE.
As it is, there are many parts, but one body. The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!”…there should be no division in the body…its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it. 1 Corinthians 12:20-21, 25-26 NIV
If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 1 Corinthians 12:17-20 NIV
And Christ gave gifts to people—he made some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to go and tell the Good News, and some to have the work of caring for and teaching God’s people. Christ gave those gifts to prepare God’s holy people for the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger. Ephesians 4:11-12 NCV
From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16 NIV
God intends SGs to function – in a faith community- like a healthy HUMAN BODY.
2) The second critical truth about spiritual gifts involves HEALING
God works through different people in different ways, but it is the same God who achieves his purposes through them all. 1 Corinthians 12:6 PH
All of you together are Christ’s body, and each one of you is a separate and necessary part of it.
1Corinthians12:27 NLT
Your gifts are NECESSARY to this body, and NONE of your gifts are INSIGNIFICANT.
So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ’s body, let’s just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren’t. Romans 12:5 MSG
3) The third critical truth about spiritual gifts involves GRACE.
It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.
1 Cor. 12:11 NLT
We have all been given GRACE GIFTS, and WE are all called to be GRACE DISPENSERS.
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… 1 Peter 4:11
A Spiritual Gift Framework
MOTIVATIONAL Gifts MINISTRY Gifts MANIFESTATION Gifts
Under MOTIVATIONAL Gifts
prophecy, teaching, serving (helps), leadership, exhorting (encouraging), giving, and mercy
Under MINISTRY Gifts
prophecy, evangelism, apostleship, pastor/shepherd, teacher, intercession, hospitality, administration, craftsmanship, creative communication
Under MANIFESTATION Gifts
word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing(s), working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, speaking in tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
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; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 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 12:6-8 NIV
The 7 Motivational Spiritual Gifts Defined
Prophecy - The divine enablement to reveal truth and proclaim it with power and clarity - in a timely and culturally sensitive fashion - for understanding, correction, repentance, or edification.
Serving (or Helps) - The divine enablement to attach spiritual value to the accomplishment of physical tasks within the body of Christ that supports, frees up, and meets the needs of others.
Teaching - The divine enablement to understand, clearly explain, and apply God’s Word in ways that cause Christ-like character and inspires greater obedience in people’s lives.
Exhortation (or Encouragement) - The divine enablement to present truth so as to strengthen, comfort, or urge people to action who are discouraged or wavering in their faith.
Giving - The divine enablement to earn money, manage it well, and wisely contribute to the work of the Lord with cheerfulness and abundant generosity.
Leadership - The divine enablement to see what needs to be done, cast vision, set goals and to lead and motivate people to accomplish the purposes of God.
Mercy - The divine enablement to cheerfully and practically help people who are suffering or in need, having compassion that is moved to action.
As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. 1 Peter4:10 NASB
If you'd like to take a free spiritual gift assessment, go here: awakeningchurch.com/spiritualgifts