I. Some groups of Spiritual Gifts we find in scripture

A. Romans 12:6-8

1. Prophecy: (congregational – should be tested 1 Cor 14:29; canonical i.e. preaching 1 Cor 14:12) Foretelling but primarily forth-telling.
2. Service: a wide variety of ministries. Ability to identify and care for the physical needs of people through variety of means.
3. Teaching: ability to explain and apply the truths of God’s word so that others learn
4. Encouragement
5. Generous Giving
6. Showing Mercy

B. 1 Corinthians 12:7-10

1. Message of Wisdom: applying insight and discernment of the principles of the Word of God into excellent advice in practical ways.
2. Message of Knowledge: the ability to discover, analyze, and systematize truth for the benefit of others. Supernatural perception and discernment for the purpose of ministering to others.
3. Faith
4. Healing
5. Miraculous Power
6. Prophecy
7. Distinguishing between spirits: ability to discern the spirit of truth and the spirit of error; reality versus counterfeits, divine versus demonic, true versus fake teaching, spiritual versus carnal motives
8. Tongues: for public ministry to others, not for personal edification
9. Interpretation of tongues.

C. 1 Corinthians 12:28

1. Apostles: the ability to begin/oversee new churches and Christian ministries with authority that is spontaneously recognized.
2. Prophets
3. Teachers
4. Workers of Miracles
5. Healing
6. Help

D. Ephesians 4:11

1. Apostles
2. Prophets
3. Evangelists
4. Pastors (shepherds)
5. Teachers

Note: No one list is complete. Some gifts appear in other groups. Therefore, there are other spiritual gifts apart from the ones listed above.

Peter Wagner in his book Your Spiritual Gifts suggests the following:

1. Celibacy: ability to enjoy being single and maintain sexual self-control (1 Cor 7:7-9)
2. Voluntary poverty (1 Cor 13:3)
3. Martyrdom: the ability to display an attitude of joy while suffering or even dying for the faith (1 Cor 13:3)
4. Hospitality (Rom 12:13; 1 Pet 4:9)
5. Missionary: the ability to minister effectively in a second culture
6. Intercession: the ability to pray for a long period of time on a regular basis for the ministries and needs of others
7. Exorcism: ability to discern and cast out demons with authority
8. other Spiritual gifts (e.g. music, craftsmanship)

Many, if not all believers have a combination of two or more Spiritual Gifts.

II. Discovering your Spiritual Gifts

1. Ask (Phil 4:6-7)
2. Awareness of biblical teaching and study of scripture. Ask Christians who clearly know and use their gifts how they discovered them.
3. Aspiration: what will you most want to do? (Ps 37:4; Phil 2:13; 1 Tim 3:1)
4. Activity: experiment with several of the available gifts
5. Ability: increases with practice and must be recognized by other members of the body
6. Affirmation: positive feedback from those to whom you minister

III. Developing your Spiritual Gifts

1. Exercise (especially in small groups): concentrate your energy in productive areas, not where you are not suited.
2. Evaluation (and counsel bu godly believers): strength, weakness and ways to improve.
3. Education

Gifts for all believers regardless of individual gifts: intercession, faith, service, help, mercy, giving and evangelism.

What combination of Spiritual Gifts do you think you have been given?