Examining the Gifts
Speaking gifts - Exhortation, preaching / prophecy, teaching, word of knowledge, word of wisdom
Service gifts - Administration, discernment, faith, giving, leading, mercy, service / helps
Sign gifts - Healings, interpretation of tongues, miracles, speaking in tongues
Kinds of Spiritual Gifts
1 Peter 4:10-11 indicates two categories of gifts: speaking gifts and service gifts. “As each one of you has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. Whoever speaks, let him speak, as it were, the utterances of God, whoever serves, let him do so as by the strength which God supplies, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs to glory and dominion forever and ever.”
In 1 Corinthians 14: 22 Paul also includes a third category as being sign gifts. For these two passages then, there appears to be 3 categories of gifts: speaking gifts, service gifts, and sign gifts. Romans 12 and 1 Corinthians 12 provide a list of individual gifts. Below are the gifts for which this personal assessment addresses.
Speaking Gifts vs. Service Gifts
Speaking Gifts Service Gifts
Preaching (Prophecy) 3. Administration
Word of Knowledge 4. Discernment
Word of Wisdom 5. Faith
1. Teaching 6. Giving
2. Exhortation 7. Leading
8. Mercy
9. Service/Helps
Preaching/Prophecy, Word of Knowledge, Word of Wisdom
Many feel these particular gifts were only for the early church until the canon of Scripture was fulfilled. For that reason, this assessment excludes these gifts. See more info in the FAQ section of this test.
1. Teaching
The spiritual gift of teaching is the capacity to present in logical order the entire scope of a principle found in Scripture and explain how to apply it practically and consistently in life. This person prefers to work in a group setting, thinks preparation is important, and avoids impromptu events if possible. There is careful attention to both details and study. Applying God's Word to their own life as an example to others is important. This person is able to pick out the main points in a presentation easily and quickly and has the ability to clearly and concisely explain things. Study of a principle or passage found in Scripture is done in a logical order. The person with this gift is an instructor.
Areas where someone with the gift of teaching might serve the body include teaching from the pulpit teaching a Sunday school class (adults or children), leading a small group Bible study, storytelling at a VBS, teaching at a Christian School, college, or seminary, writing commentaries or other scholarly books, hosting a radio program, etc.
2. Exhortation
The spiritual gift of exhortation is the capacity to draw alongside another Believer in order to encourage, comfort, correct, or provide insight toward Christ-like conduct. A person with this gift is people oriented and will stick with them through good and bad times. This person provides creative courses of action for problems. They enjoy people and understand where they are coming from, but yet they can be confrontational without offending. They are comfortable in a group or person-to-person situation. Problems are seen as an opportunity to grow, and this person is not easily discouraged but is persistent. There is a deep concern for people who are experiencing hard times. The person with this gift is an encourager.
Areas where someone with the gift of exhortation might serve the body include counseling those who are struggling in their walks doing visitation, follow-up visitors, giving a devotional, leading an accountability group.
3. Administration
The spiritual gift of administration is the capacity to lead behind the scene in a legislative capacity. Information is collected, policy is developed, and plans are established to make sure a course of action is completed with both skill and wisdom. This person follows plans to the letter, plans carefully, and is able to keep their head in the middle of problems and obstacles. Efficiency is important and there is little straying off course once a direction has been put in motion. This person can express opinions with ease, wants to get the most out of resources, and is able to discuss, umpire, and manage others. Directing the efforts of a team is important to this person. The person with this gift is a manager.
Areas where someone with the gift of administration might serve the body include handling day-to-day business activities of the church, serving on the stewardship committee, or overseeing a long-term project.
4. Discernment
The spiritual gift of discernment is the capacity to detect an authentic or counterfeit motive by determining the spirit source behind any person's word or conduct. This person has good intuition and is willing and able to vocalize his/her concerns. The quick and correct evaluation of situations is present as well as the ability to see hidden agendas. This person can quickly see the weak areas in a presentation because they have a sharp perceptiveness in seeing biblical standards and in bringing them into everyday events. They are able to apply these standards when a decision is required and can find the specific problem in a situation when problems are encountered. The person with this gift is an evaluator.
Areas where someone with the gift of discernment might serve the body include administering the Benevolent Fund, serving on a facilities committee or a pastoral search committee, or informing the body of cult activity and beliefs within the community.
5. Faith
The spiritual gift of faith is the capacity to have an eternal perspective though problems are huge and to exercise complete confidence in the ability and character of God to accomplish endeavors. This person is a leader, is confident, makes quick decisions, and sets the pace for others around him/her. There is a willingness to undertake the impossible and often does so because of a strong rest in and relationship with God. This person is persuasive in getting others to take on a project and challenges others to take responsibility in getting things done. There is a determination even though there are difficulties and the ability to switch easily from one task to another. The person with this gift is a visionary.
Areas where someone with the gift of faith might serve the body include praying and promoting prayer in the church, evangelism, or as a missionary. Those with the gift of faith are visionaries they expect God to do the impossible and as such may provide direction and vision for the church.
6. Giving
The spiritual gift of giving is the capacity to freely and generously give one’s time, effort, and possessions to others well beyond the standards of others. A person with this gift does not like waste, uses resources wisely and efficiently, and sets and accomplishes long range goals. The focus is to help people who are worthy of assistance and there is a dislike of emotional appeals in meeting needs - facts are what is required. This person can make quick decisions but can hold back when doubt arises. To avoid uncertainty, it is essential that the valuable points of a project are known before an investment is made or before encouraging others to invest. The person with this gift is a provider.
Areas where someone with the gift of giving might serve the body include fundraising, providing financially for the church, loaning the use of their home for a bible study or youth activity, loaning their car to a missionary on furlough, serving as treasurer or on a stewardship committee, serving on a missions committee, etc.
7. Leading
The spiritual gift of leading is the capacity to lead in front of people in an executive capacity and motivate them toward a goal through aggressive yet careful direction. This person is able to develop competent plans and takes on the task of seeing that a job is completed. Enthusiasm is used in confronting people and they are often able to get a high degree of productivity out of those who work for them. This person organizes things well and is capable of delegating assignments and work to others. This person is thorough with the job and is creative in finding new ways to accomplish what needs to get done. This person has the ability to groom others to replace themselves. An indicator that a person is a leader is if others are willing, want, and choose to follow. The person with this gift is a leader-ruler.
Areas where someone with the gift of leading might serve the body include organizing committees, strategic planning, serving as an elder/overseer, planning retreats, outreaches, or other events.
8. Mercy
The spiritual gift of mercy is the capacity to be sensitive or understanding with others who are hurting and to aid them in lifting their heartache with a cheerful and gentle spirit. They have sensitivity to people you are in need. This person has a hard time saying no and easily can forego personal plans in lieu of helping someone. They are peacemakers, are quick to help, cheerful, and value people in spite of their faults. Avoiding arguments or conflict is common in this person. This person attempts to find the best in people without doubting them. They often jump in quickly without evaluating the situation completely and they rely heavily on emotions while keeping their feelings inside. The person with this gift is a caretaker.
Areas where someone with the gift of mercy might serve the body include counseling, leading a support group, ministering to those in social, emotional, spiritual, and or physical distress, such as visiting shut-ins and those in hospitals, prisons, etce. Someone with the gift of mercy might also serve the body through acts of service such as volunteering to drive an elderly member to the doctor, shopping for a shut in, or fixing a meal for a grieving family,
9. Service/Helps
The spiritual gift of service or helps is the capacity to see a job that needs to be done and doing with or for someone in order to help. This person is a hard worker, takes instructions well, and jumps in quickly when a job needs to get done. They prefer short range projects and value input that communicate appreciation and the need for their help. They get the job done and consider any job important, be it large or small. This person often supports those people in leadership positions. The person with this gift is a worker.
Areas where someone with the gift of service or helps might serve the body include helping to maintain the physical facilities of the church, ushering, serving on welcoming committees, preparing communion elements, setting up chairs for special events, etc.
