Identifying The Gifts In Our Lives

Time Needed: 1 hour

“An important element of the church’s mission is to help us discover and develop our gifts, and in the face of our fears, to hold us accountable for them so that we can enter into the joy of creating.” (Elizabeth O’Connor, The Eighth Day of Creation)

Scripture Meditation:
“For through the grace given to me I say to every person among you not to think more highly of yourself than you ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has alloted to each a measure of faith. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given us, let each exercise them accordingly."” Romans 12:3-6

Teaching:

Two Types of gifts:
1. Constitutional – These are part of our DNA, or our constitution. We seem to have
these gifts “from birth”, like in the life of Jeremiah (Jeremiah ch. 1)
• We regularly experience the operation of these gifts throughout the course of our lives
• These gifts seem “resident” within us

2. Situational – for a particular situation, rarely to be repeated again
• Inspired by God for the moment and received & exercised by us
• We experience the gift in the moment and then it may pass

How do we get gifts?
The basis of both types of gifts is the sovereign distribution of the Holy Spirit and the creative power of God. We can ask for gifts. Paul several times encourages us to “eagerly desire” certain gifts, especially that we prophesy (1 Corinthians 12:31; 14:1,39). There does seem to be a place for asking and seeking after gifts, particularly in the context of pursuing our calling.

How do I identifying gifts in myself?
1. “Passions and Pull” – we continue to feel a sense of passion, or burden, for a specific type of ministry; it stirs us to deep emotion or gets us angry or rouses us to action; “giftedness drift” of Bobby Clinton – “the intuitive tendency [of a developing leader] to respond to ministry assignments and ministry challenges that fit his or her spiritual gift”

2. “Fruitfulness” – in general, fruit will follow when we serve/act in our areas of giftedness. Basically, “fruit” means success, growth or effectiveness. For some early gifts, it may not “feel” like there is much fruit, or we may not have much to go on.
Persevere through this period and don’t get discouraged, but don’t ignore your responsibility to measure fruitfulness or be accountable.

3. Community Recognition/Confirmation – others in our community will confirm that they too sense this gift in us – they note the passions and perceive the fruit. This is very important because on our own we are prone to either invent or pretend a gift out of pride, envy, etc., or hide a gift out of fear. Living in community, with the confirmation that it brings, helps to prevent this.

4. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Experiment in areas that fit your passions to see if they bring out your gifts.

An aside: all of this relates to children as well – “A major obligation of the church to children is to enjoy them and to listen to them so that each can grow according to the design which is written into the being of each and emerges only under the care and warmth of another life … we are to listen … to uncover the special blueprint that is theirs” (O’Connor, 8th Day); this is an important part of our “ministry to children” at the ROVC and why we consider mentoring and life-based teachable moments to be so important to our vision for this service to kids

Are there areas which will alter or effect the flow of my gifts?

• Sin: It is possible that open, continued sin can block the flow and power of the spiritual gifts in your life. Ongoing sin can dull our sensitivity to God’s voice and the leading of the Spirit. It is like being a stagnant pond with no inlet or outlet.
• Season of Life: In certain seasons of life, we just aren’t able to take the time to cultivate life habits which support and sustain the practice of the gifts. So, for example, newly married people often have to readjust to their new situation such that they aren’t able to have the concentrated time alone with God which nourishes the prophetic gift.
• Growth: Operating in the gifts bring growth. This growth often requires stretching and change and a certain death to the (old) self before the (new) self can emerge; we often are hesitant about this growth and change.
• Fear: Fear is the big one. Most of us are terribly afraid of failure or being embarrassed and so don’t want to risk going out on a limb to pray for the sick or give a word of prophecy or stop to offer mercy or share our faith. “When we do not allow ourselves the possibility of failure, the Spirit cannot work in us. We are controlled by perfectionist strivings that inhibit the mysterious … Spontaneity dies and the emergence of the unexpected ceases to be a possibility. We are literally tied and bound. … In our culture we are so success-oriented that we have little understanding of the creative act. We want to know in advance that what we do will measure up and be judged acceptable. … Ultimately the fear of failure must be conquered in ourselves. I doubt that one ever wins this battle without having learned humility.” (O’Connor, 8th Day)
• Commitment: Fear and commitment are related. We fear the commitment that knowledge of gifts and accountability brings – “The identifying of gifts brings to the fore another large issue in our lives – the issue of commitment. Somehow if I name my gift and it is confirmed, I cannot ‘hang loose’ in the same way anymore. I would much rather be committed to God in the abstract than be committed to Him at the point of my gifts.” (O’Connor, 8th Day)

For those of you that have been walking “the Way’ a long time…
• There is the idea of the “gift mix.” As we mature, we often will identify two or more mutually supportive gifts called a “gift mix.” This is a cluster of gifts that work together to bring even more power and fruit, just as the whole is greater than sum of it’s parts. One example might be pastoring, teaching and exhortation. The pastoral gift/relationship provides the context for the use of the gift of teaching, and in the teaching the person is able to use their gift of exhortation.
• Usually there is a dominant gift, which is used in tandem with one of the other supportive gifts. In the above example, it is likely that the exhortation gift is the dominant gift, even though the teaching or pastoring gifts are more visible.
• Almost all of us will find that we are gifted in more than one area in some way – such is the gratuitous grace of our God – but this kind of understanding comes only with time. What it does is help lead us to convergence, where we can begin to enter into more defined roles and structure our time and ministries to fit this mix.

Exercise:

Four questions to ask yourself:
1. What gets me jazzed and what do I consistently find myself interested in doing?


2. Where do I see effectiveness or fruit in my service/ministry?


3. In what ways have others affirmed me or seen fruit in my life, etc?


4. Who are two people in my life that I have noticed doing something in which they are obviously passionate and effective? (Tell them this to encourage them.)


Directions:

Below you will find a survey. Please thoughtfully answer the questions on the survey; it should take about 15 minutes. It is intended to help clarify areas of possible giftedness. Bringing these documents, along with any questions you have, to a meeting with the pastor or your home group leader or mentor, will be really helpful in coming to a deeper understanding of who God has made you to be.

Scale
4- with great frequency and very fruitful
3- “much” or “often”
2- “some” or from time to time
1- “little” or not very fruitful
0- “not at all” or “don’t know”

___ 1. People have told me that I have communicated timely and urgent messages that must have come directly from the Lord.
___ 2. I have enjoyed relating to a certain group of people over a long period of time, sharing personally in their successes and their failures.
___ 3. People have told me I helped them learn biblical truth in a meaningful way.
___ 4. I have effectively applied spiritual truth to situations in my own life.
___ 5. Others have told me I have helped them distinguish key and important facts of Scripture.
___ 6. I have verbally encouraged the wavering, the troubled or the discouraged.
___ 7. Others in the church have noted that I was able to see through phoniness before it was evident to other people.
___ 8. I find I manage money well in order to give liberally to the Lord’s work.
___ 9. Other people have told me that I have helped them become more effective in their ministries.
___ 10. I desire to work with those who have physical or mental problems, to alleviate their suffering.
___ 11. I feel I could, or have already, learn a language well in order to minister to those in a different culture.
___ 12. I have led others to a decision for salvation through faith in Christ.
___ 13. My home is always open to people passing through who need a place to stay.
___ 14. I have believed God for the impossible and seen it happen in a tangible way.
___ 15. When I join a group, other people seem to “move out of the way” and look to
me to make decisions, etc.
___ 16. When I group I am in is lacking organization, I tend to step in and fill in the gap.
___ 17. Others can point to specific instances where my prayers have resulted in visible miracles.
___ 18. I have prayed for others and physical healing has actually occurred.
___ 19. When I pray, I find myself praying in a language that I have not learned.
___ 20. Sometimes when I hear a person speaking in tongues, I get an idea about what God is saying.
___ 21. I could live more comfortably, but I choose not to in order to live with the poor.
___ 22. I readily identify with Paul’s desire for others to be single as he was.
___ 23. When I hear a prayer request, I find that I pray for that need for several days at least.
___ 24. I have been involved in casting out a demon.
___ 25. I respond cheerfully when asked to do a job, even if it seems menial.
___ 26. During worship times at church, I have a sense of what song would be meaningful to sing next, or the way in which to sing it, and that is what is sung.
___ 27. I have daydreamed about works of art or beauty that I would like to create to bring glory to God.
___ 28. Through God I have revealed specific things that will happen to others in the future, especially related to someone’s calling or gifting.
___ 29. I have helped to bring a group of people to deeper maturity in Christ over the course of time, through being in relationship to them.
___ 30. Others have shared with me that my ability to apply God’s word to life has helped them to be more like Jesus.
___ 31. I can intuitively arrive at solutions to fairly complex problems.
___ 32. I have had insights of spiritual truth that others have said helped bring them closer to God.
___ 33. I find that I regularly encourage people about their jobs or life situations.
___ 34. I can “sense” the Spirit of God “resting” on certain people, from time to time, usually in the context of praying for them or in times of prayer with our community.
___ 35. My giving records would indicate that I give considerably more than 10% of my income to the Lord’s work.
___ 36. People have told me that I met their needs in a very practical way just when they needed it.
___ 37. When I enter into large-group social situations, I often find myself drawn to the person who appears to be on “outside” or is sitting on the fringe.
___ 38. I daydream about using my gifts in an area where there are not already effective or meaningful churches or ministries.
___ 39. I have shared joyfully how Christ has brought me to Himself in a way that is meaningful to the unchurched.
___ 40. When I am with someone who is in an unfamiliar environment, but that is comfortable for me, I enjoy helping to put them at ease and make it comfortable.
___ 41. I have had the experience of seeing God’s will and purpose for another’s life, and had great confidence it would come to pass, even though they did not believe it.
___ 42. I have cast vision for a ministry and then recruited a team of people to help bring it about.
___ 43. I enjoy handling the details of organizing ideas, people, resources and time for more effective ministry.
___ 44. God has used me personally to perform supernatural signs and wonders.
___ 45. I enjoy praying for sick people because I have confidence that many will be healed as a result.
___ 46. During times of worship, I am moved to pray in a language that I have never learned.
___ 47. I have offered an interpretation of someone speaking in tongues that others confirmed was from the Lord.
___ 48. Living a simple lifestyle is an exciting challenge for me.
___ 49. Other people have noted that I don’t seem as concerned about not being married as most people are.
___ 50. When others ask me to intercede for them, they report back that their needs are answered in specific and tangible ways.
___ 51. I have heard a demon speak in an audible voice.
___ 52. I enjoy finding needed resources behind the scenes to help make ministries possible.
___ 53. When I hear a teaching, I find myself thinking of a picture or story that would communicate that same core idea.
___ 54. Others have said that they’ve been really moved by a work of art that I’ve created.
___ 55. I find that I really have a good sense of what God is trying to teach me, His heart and mind, in the difficult experiences I go through.
___ 56. When in a group of people, I often feel a strong sense to protect the group from wrong ideas and ensure they hear truth.
___ 57. In my work situation, I find that I am called upon to train people who are new to the job in the “ins and outs” of working there, or that I naturally find myself doing it anyway.
___ 58. I have come up with a wise idea that has helped to diffuse a situation of conflict.
___ 59. I enjoy searching the scriptures for insight and understanding into God’s will, plans, and strategies for the Kingdom and His mission.
___ 60. People have come to me in their sufferings and difficult times and found that they’ve been helped and relieved through my words (and actions).
___ 61. I find that I can sense whether others at work, church, or social situations have pure or impure motives when dealing with me.
___ 62. When I am moved by an appeal to give to God’s work, I find the money I need to do it.
___ 63. I enjoy routine tasks that have led to more effective ministry or work by others.
___ 64. I have confidence in speaking and acting when in places of suffering – like hospitals, nursing homes, etc. I “do well” in such situations.
___ 65. I have had significant relationships with people of another culture.
___ 66. Non-Christians have noted that they feel comfortable when they’re around me, and that I have a positive effect on them toward developing a faith in Christ.
___ 67. When people come to my/our home, they indicate that they “feel at home”.
___ 68. Other people have told me that I had faith to accomplish what seemed impossible to them.
___ 69. When I set goals, others seem to accept them readily.
___ 70. I have been able to make effective and efficient plans for accomplishing the goals of a group.
___ 71. God regularly seems to do impossible things through my life.
___ 72. Others have told me that God healed them of an emotional problem when I prayed with them.
___ 73. I find that praying in tongues brings a deeper intimacy to my prayer.
___ 74. I have prayed that I may interpret if someone begins speaking in tongues.
___ 75. I am not poor, but I can identify with poor people.
___ 76. I am glad that I have more time to serve God because I am single.
___ 77. I have a regularly set time/schedule during which time I pray for others (and enjoy keeping it).
___ 78. I feel confident in speaking authoritatively in the name of Jesus to the powers of evil.
___ 79. Others have mentioned that I seem to enjoy acting in small ways and that I do well at it.
___ 80. I have a strong desire to communicate truth in creative ways that impact people.
___ 81. I like to communicate through things that I make, more than through words or stories.
___ 82. During times of worship or group prayer, I feel like I know what God might want to communicate to someone in the room.
___ 83. I feel unafraid of giving spiritual direction and guidance in a group of Christians.
___ 84. People have responded to my teaching by changing their behaviors or ways of thinking.
___ 85. In a particular situation, I am familiar with the experience of speaking a “wise word” or “a word aptly spoken.”
___ 86. I have the ability to discover new truths for myself through reading or observing situations firsthand.
___ 87. I desire to urge people to action in important areas where I see that they are not involved or are lax.
___ 88. I have had the sense of evil being present, which was confirmed by others.
___ 89. I am confident God will meet my needs and so give to Him sacrificially and consistently in terms of money, time, and other resources.
___ 90. When I do things behind the scenes and others are helped, I am joyful.
___ 91. I find that I sometimes have a sense or impression of God’s “heart of compassion” for people, the lost, the Church, etc.
___ 92. I find myself thinking about how to adapt ministry and church ideas, programs, and structures into a new or different culture.
___ 93. When I am around large groups of unchurched people, I find myself emotionally responding in sadness, frustration, excitement; there is a sense of “burden.”
___ 94. I really enjoy seeking ways to help different people enter into meaningful relationships.
___ 95. I have asked God for a provision and trusted Him to bring it to pass until He did, over a long period of time.
___ 96. When I am leading something, things seem to run smoothly.
___ 97. When part of an organization, I find that I am able to see how the organization functions, and to generate ideas to help it function more effectively and efficiently.
___ 98. People have told me that I was God’s instrument which brought supernatural change in their lives or circumstances.
___ 99. When I pray for the sick, I or they experience sensations of tingling (like static electricity) or warmth, associated with the work of the Holy Spirit.
___ 100. When I speak in tongues, I believe that it is edifying to the Church.
___ 101. I have interpreted tongues in a way that seemed to bless others.
___ 102. Others have told me I have sacrificed much in order to live how I do.
___ 103. I am single and have comparably little difficulty controlling my sexual desires.
___ 104. I often find myself thinking I should pray for others at unusual times – while driving, sleeping, walking down the street.
___ 105. People think to contact me when they believe someone is demonized.
___ 106. I enjoy serving in small ways, rather than speaking or other activities.
___ 107. When I view the art of others, I find myself wanting to tell the story behind the piece.
___ 108. I have ideas about what could be done physically to make a church facility more conducive to worship and more effective for ministry.


The Scoring (total 4 questions for 0-16 result)

Prophecy – 1, 28, 55, 82
Pastor – 2, 29, 56, 83
Teacher – 3, 30, 57, 84
Wisdom – 4, 31, 58, 85
Knowledge – 5, 32, 59, 86
Exhortation – 6, 33, 60, 87
Discernment – 7, 34, 61, 88
Giving – 8, 35, 62, 89
Helps – 9, 36, 63, 90
Mercy – 10, 37, 64, 91
Missionary – 11, 38, 65, 92
Evangelist – 12, 39, 66, 93
Hospitality – 13, 40, 67, 94
Faith – 14, 41, 68, 95
Leadership – 15, 42, 69, 96
Administration – 16, 43, 70, 97
Miracles – 17, 44, 71, 98
Healing – 18, 45, 72, 99
Tongues – 19, 46, 73, 100
Interpretation of Tongues – 20, 47, 74, 101
Poverty – 21, 48, 75, 102
Celibacy – 22, 49, 76, 103
Intercession – 23, 50, 77, 104
Exorcism/Deliverance – 24, 51, 78, 105
Service – 25, 52, 79, 106
Creative Communication – 26, 53, 80, 107
Craftsmanship – 27, 54, 81, 108