1. Define and contrast spiritual gifts and natural talents.
Spiritual gift (neumatika = breath or spirit and charismata = grace) is God’s specific
endowment of spiritual ability for service to the church. Spiritual gifts represent supernatural levels
of more common service, and it is a capacity for spiritual service that must be developed through an
active spiritual life. Natural talents are inherited abilities and interest received at birth; spiritual
life is not necessary for development. Everyone is born with a natural talent; only Christians receive
spiritual gifts.
2. Examine Romans 12:3-8,
1 Corinthians 12:1-11, 28-30 and
Ephesians 4:7-16. List the spiritual gifts that the Holy
Spirit bestows. How many gifts are pastors suppose to have? Which gift is the best gift to have? How would you
organize this list to better understand and differentiate the various gifts?
Romans 12:6-8: prophecy, service,
teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and mercy
1 Corinthians 12:4-11: wisdom, knowledge,
faith, healing, miracles, prophecy, distinguishing spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues
1 Corinthians 12:28-30: apostles,
prophets, teachers, miracle worker, healing, helping others, administration, tongues
Ephesians 4:11-13: apostles, prophets,
evangelists, pastors, and teachers
An example of differentiating the various gifts is to contrast the ones that closely resemble
each other:
| Administration vs. Leadership |
Apostleship vs. Evangelism |
| Exhortation vs. Prophecy |
Tongues vs. Interpretation of Tongues |
| Knowledge vs. Wisdom |
Pastoring vs. Teaching |
| Faith vs. Giving |
Ministering (helps) vs. Discernment (distinguishing spirits) |
| Mercy vs. Hospitality |
Miracles vs. Healing |
While some may feel that pastors are suppose to have all of the spiritual gifts, God has
deemed that man shall have at least one (1 Cor 12:7, 11
and Rom 12:6). No gift is the sign of superior spirituality
or higher level of walk with God. The objective is not seeking new gifts but recognizing, developing, and using
the one(s) God has given you (1 Cor 12:31).
3. What is the purpose of spiritual gifts?
A) We know that God has determined a place for us in the church. Spiritual gifts
help us understand what member we are to be in relation to the church body
(Rom 12:3-8).
B) Each member of the church depends on the spiritual gifts of others for their growth
toward spiritual maturity (Eph 4:11-13).
4. How do you know what your spiritual gift is? Questions that may help:
a) What do you enjoy doing?
b) What service has God been blessing?
c) How have others encouraged you?
d) What has the Holy Spirit told you?