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Some Christians believe they have not been given spiritual gifts. 1 Corinthians 12:7 reminds us of the opposite, “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”
The apostle Paul begins the discussion by highlighting the most important gift of faith that God gives: “No one can say, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:3). The Holy Spirit has blessed every Christian with faith as well as with spiritual gifts!
The purpose
The purpose of spiritual gifts is not for personal glory or fulfillment but to serve others.
Read 1 Corinthians 12:12-26.
List at least four points Paul is trying to make by comparing the church to a body.
Having read a portion of what God has to say about spiritual gifts, discuss the following statements, paying special attention to the italicized portion.
- I’m an important part of the body.
- I’m an important part of the body.
- I’m an important part of the body.
My spiritual gifts
How do you know what your spiritual gifts are? There are a number of things that you can do to find out:
- Study the Word and pray for understanding when it comes to your gifts.
- Take a spiritual gifts analysis such as this one from WELS Discipleship: “Spiritual Gifts Discovery Tool.”
- Consider what you enjoy doing. Often what you enjoy coincides with your gifts.
- Experiment with different areas of service. Remember that Paul tells us to “eagerly desire the greater gifts” (1 Corinthians 12:31), meaning some gifts can be gained and learned.
- Ask other people for input and seek their honest evaluation.
Below are a number of spiritual gifts listed in the Bible. Consider the list and make note of your gifts. Then think of opportunities to use your gifts and volunteer them for the good of the body!
- Serving (working in supportive roles)
- Teaching (explaining truths of God’s Word in an understandable way)
- Encouraging
- Contributing (sharing what you have with extra generosity)
- Leading
- Showing mercy
- Knowledge
- Wisdom (ability to understand and apply God’s truth)
- Faith (full confidence in God’s ability to work great things)
- Administration (organizing, delegating, motivating to get things done)
- Evangelism
Author: David Scharf
Volume 109, Number 11
Issue: November 2022
- Psalm 103: When you count your blessings
- Psalm 91: When God lifts you up on his lap
- Psalm 4: When you draw nearer to the end
- Psalm 42: When you ask, “Where is God when I’m hurting?”
- Psalm 32: When you need forgiveness
- Psalm 130: When rocks fall
- Bible study: Freedom in service
- What does this mean for me? Article 6
- Bible study: Spiritual gifts
- What does this mean for me? Article 5
- What does this mean for me? Article 4
- Bible study: Rejoice in your status!
- Bible study: Baptismal blessings
- What does this mean for me? Article 3
- What does this mean for me? Article 2
- Bible study: Gifts of tongues and miraculous healing
- What does this mean for me? Article 1
- Bible study: Jesus is everyone’s Savior
- Bible study: Love one another
- Bible study: Above all things!
- Bible study: The comfort of God’s providence
- The book of James: Waiting for Christ’s return
- Bible study: Precious grace
- The book of James: Active in using prayer
- Bible study: Rewards of grace
- The book of James: Active in showing love
- The book of James: Correctly evaluating riches
- Bible study: What’s going to happen on the Last Day?
- The book of James: Avoiding loveless judging
- Bible study: Interpretation practice
- The book of James: Taming the tongue
- Bible study: The Bible’s attributes
- Bible study: The importance of the family altar
- Bible study: God’s attitude is grace
- Bible study: The Bible’s account of Easter morning
- Bible study: Different types of sin
- Bible study: God’s inspiration
- Bible study: Giving God glory
- Bible study: Judge for yourself
- The book of James: Using the Word of Truth
- Bible study: The need for the Bible and worship
- Bible study: Citizens of two kingdoms
- The book of James: Active in good works
- The book of James: When battling temptation
- Bible study: God cares
- Bible study: God made the world
- The book of James: When facing trials
- Bible study: A loving God saved people from hell
- The book of James: A blueprint for living out our life of faith
- A Bible story just for me: Guilt
- Bible study: God provides victory over death!
- A Bible story just for me: Anxiety
- Bible study: God forgives and refuses to remember our sins
- A Bible story just for me: Grief
- Bible study: God helps those who cannot help themselves
- A Bible story just for me: Depression
- Bible study: God has not grown soft on sin
- Bible study: Only one path leads to God’s presence
- A Bible story just for me: Trauma
- A Bible story just for me
- Bible study: God wants me in heaven
- Bible study: The incarnation of our Lord