DISCOVERING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTS
You have just begun a process of discovering your spiritual gifts. As you reflect on the gifts you have tentatively identified through the questionnaire, try to discern which ones truly are, or are not, your gifts. To do so, follow this five-step approach:
- EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITIES:
Read through the three key chapters in the scriptures dealing with spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, Ephesians 4). Learn what the gifts are, what characterizes them and how they function in the Body of Christ, so that you can have something concrete to look for as you move ahead.
- EXPERIMENT WITH AS MANY GIFTS AS POSSIBLE:
The spiritual gifts analysis which you have just completed has helped you experiment with different gifts. Your feelings, reactions, and general outlook on the gifts were measured as you worked through the discovery questionnaire. Now you need to experiment further with the gifts you pinpointed in the analysis. Unless you try the gifts, this analysis has revealed, you will have a hard time knowing whether you really have them or not. Get involved in a ministry activity that will let you try out these gifts.
- EXAMINE YOUR FEELINGS:
Since God has put the body together, you will feel fulfilled when functioning in the proper area. Thus, if you enjoy your attempts to use a particular gift that is a good sign that you possess it. If, however, you dislike the service activities associated with a certain gift that is a fairly good sign that you do not have it.
- EVALUATE YOUR EFFECTIVENESS:
Since spiritual are designed to benefit others, you should see positive results as you use your gift(s). If you see no results when you experiment with a particular gift, you probably do not have that gift. But it could be that you did not give it a fair try, or that it will simply take time for you to learn to use the gift effectively. As you evaluate, pray for the courage to be honest with yourself and with your Lord.
- EXPECT CONFIRMATION FROM THE BODY:
You cannot discover, develop and use a gift all on your own. Gifts are given to build up other members of the Body. If you have a gift, other Christians will recognize it and confirm it. If you feel that you have a particular gift but no one else agrees with you, then you should take a closer look at yourself and re-evaluate.
These five steps are more fully explained in C. Peter Wagner’s book, Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help You Grow. Remember, in all of these five steps, the key is prayer. The Lord will lead you to accurate discoveries of your gift(s) if you allow Him to guide and direct you in all your endeavours.
Instructions for Completing the Questionnaire:
- Read each question carefully and select the option that best represents your immediate impression. Avoid overthinking or reasoning your answer—go with your first thought.
- Each question is scored on a scale from 0 to 4:
- 0 – Not at all
- 1 – Little
- 2 – Moderately
- 3 – Considerably
- 4 – Strongly
- After answering all the questions, click the Submit button to view your results.
- The system will automatically calculate your scores for each gift and display your top three gifts based on your highest scores.
- If you have a tie in one or more gifts, all tied gifts will be included in your top results.
- Review the descriptions of your top gifts to gain more insight into your spiritual strengths.
