Spiritual GiftsFacilitated byFacilitated by

Gerson P. SantosGerson P. Santos

Sabbath School & Personal MinistriesSabbath School & Personal Ministries

Greater New York ConferenceGreater New York Conference

Why should I know about Spiritual Gifts?

1 Corinthians 12:11 Corinthians 12:1

1 Timothy 4:141 Timothy 4:14

1 Peter 4:101 Peter 4:10

We should know spiritual gifts.We should know spiritual gifts.

We should use the spiritual gifts.We should use the spiritual gifts.

We are responsible for them.We are responsible for them.

New TestamentChurch Models

• The Pauline Model– Stationary– Congregational– Mechanistic– Shepherd/Flock– Ecclesial– Corporate structure– Gifts-based

• The Jesus Model– Mobile– Small group– Organic– Teacher/Disciple– Apostolic– Team structure– Spirit led

The StructureBased Church

OrganizationalOrganizationalStructureStructureDeterminedDetermined

Plan forPlan forMinistryMinistryin Placein Place

People put in People put in AppropriateAppropriate LeadershipLeadership Slots Slots

The GiftsBased Church

Focus on Focus on Human & Human & MaterialMaterialResourcesResources

ArticulateArticulateSharedSharedVision forVision forMinistryMinistry

Design Design AppropriateAppropriateSystems for Systems for EffectiveEffectiveMinistryMinistry

Spiritual GiftsDefinition

Spiritual Gifts are divine abilities distributed by the Holy Spirit to every Christian, according to God’s will for the well being of the body of Christ.

Spiritual Gifts

Romans 12:6-8

1 Corinthians 12:4-11

1 Corinthians 12:27-31

Ephesians 4:11-12

1. Wisdom2. Knowledge3. Administration4. Apostleship5. Shepherding6. Faith7. Miracles8. Prophecy9. Leadership10. Giving

11. Compassion12. Healing13. Discernment14. Teaching15. Helping16. Evangelism17. Servanthood18. Exhortation19. Tongues20. Interpretation

of Tongues

Spiritual Gifts Key

Our Primary Task

Reach Out &Receive Relate People

to God

Nurture & Strengthenin the Christian Faith

Send Forth to LiveTransformed/Transforming Lives

MakingMakingDisciplesDisciples

Spiritual gifts need to be identified, verified, used, developed, and

polished.

“Do your best to present yourself to God

as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed...”

2 Tim. 2:15

• Identify your gifts

• Verify your gifts

• Use your gifts

• Avoid abuse

The Spiritual Gifts Process

How do you identify your

spiritual gifts?

• Have the body of Christ affirm your gift.

• Have the Lord confirm your gift through prayer. (James 1:5)

• Experiment – use your gifts in a ministry.

• Take a spiritual gifts inventory

How do you identifyyour spiritual gifts?

Additional steps:• By faith BELIEVE that God has granted you

at least one Spiritual Gift.• Review Romans 12, 1 Cor. 12 and Ephe. 4,

asking God to guide you in your Ministry.• Put them to use.• Examine your feelings and analyze your

abilities.

How do you identifyyour spiritual gifts?

• Your experience

• Your service

• A conviction

• A specific call

Identification:Your own inward convictions

Spiritual GiftsDiscovery Answer Sheet

4 — Strongly

3 — Considerably

2 — Moderably

1 — Little

0 — Not at all

The Gifts of the Spirit

• Administration -- the gift of organizing human and material resources for the work of Christ.

• Apostleship -- the gift of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to other cultures and foreign peoples.

• Compassion -- an exceptional empathy that moves one to action on behalf of others.

• Discernment -- the ability to separate truth from erroneous teaching and rely on spiritual intuition to receive God’s guidance.

• Evangelism -- the gift of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with others.

• Exhortation -- the gift of exceptional encouragement and hopefulness.

The Gifts of the Spirit

• Faith -- the gift that empowers an individual or group to hold fast to their convictions regardless of external circumstances.

• Giving -- the gift of supplying physical and material needs for ministry.

• Healing -- the gift of channeling God’s healing power to those who are afflicted in body, mind, or spirit.

The Gifts of the Spirit

• Helping -- the gift of supporting the demanding work and workers of Jesus Christ.

• Knowledge -- the gift of knowing the truth of God through the study of Scripture, intuition, and experience.

• Leadership -- the orchestration of the gifts and resources for ministry.

The Gifts of the Spirit

• Miracles -- the gift that recognizes and facilitates the miraculous power of God in the world.

• Prophecy -- the gift of speaking God’s word clearly and faithfully.

• Servanthood -- the gift of providing for the spiritual and material needs of others without condition.

The Gifts of the Spirit

• Shepherding -- the gift of guiding and empowering others to faithful service.

• Teaching -- the ability to share spiritual and scriptural truths with others in a transforming way.

• Wisdom -- the gift of translating life experience into spiritual truth and enabling others to apply such wisdom.

The Gifts of the Spirit

• Tongues -- the ability to communicate the gospel to other people in a foreign language not studied.

• Interpretation of Tongues -- the ability to understand and translate the gospel when it is communicated in a foreign language not studied.

The Gifts of the Spirit

• Master the principles of biblical interpretation

• Have a Bible-reading plan

• Apply what you learn

• Learn to communicate

• Continuing education

The Gift of Teaching

• Know the essentials of the gospel

• Learn friendship evangelism and public speaking skills

• Watch the gift in action

• Try out your skills

The Gift of Evangelism

How do you verify your gifts?

• Confirmation by the church body

• Confirmation by the Lord through intercessory prayer

Verifying your gifts

Identification is with the individual,

Verification is with the body.

Expect confirmation from the body.

Verifying your gifts

• Gift projection“Why don’t you have my gift?”

Abuses ofSpiritual Gifts

• Gift exaltation“ My gift is better than yours”

Abuses ofAbuses ofSpiritual GiftsSpiritual Gifts

Three questions for study

• How might you set up a spiritual gifts discovery and verification system in your church?

• How can cognate gifts work together?

• How can you avoid the abuse of spiritual gifts?

• What can I do about what this lesson is teaching?

• What does this lesson teach me to do differently than I am presently doing?

• How would my life be different if I made some personal changes?

• What would it take for me to want to make these changes?

Searching Questions

Name: Date: Topic: _________________________

Principle or teaching I am going to apply this week: _________________

______________________________________________________________

What am I going to do (in general)? _______________________________

List three or more steps I will take in applying this Biblical principle or teaching this week:

1. __________________________________________

2. __________________________________________

3. __________________________________________

How do I think my life (or the lives of others) will be different if I make these changes? _____________________________________________________

Personal Application Personal Application CardCard

Spiritual Gifts Clusters

NurturingNurturing

OutreachiOutreachingng

WitnessingWitnessing

OrganizingOrganizing

Nurturing Gifts

• Wisdom• Shepherding• Exhortation• Helping• Discernment• Faith• Compassion

Nurturing congregations tend to be very committed to building fellowship, visitation, small groups, Sabbath School, and member care. The focus is primarily turned inward.

Outreaching Gifts

• Apostleship• Evangelism• Working Miracles• Compassion• Healing• Servanthood• Prophecy

Outreaching congregations tend to be very missional in nature, serving the community in a variety of ways, and reaching out to people in the area. The focus is on the world.

Witnessing Gifts

• Knowledge• Faith• Prophecy• Teaching• Evangelism• Exhortation• Healing

Witnessing congregations tend to emphasize worship, Christian Education, and church growth. Faith sharing is central to the life of the fellowship. Focus is local.

Organizing Gifts

• Knowledge• Administration• Giving• Leadership• Helping• Teaching• Wisdom

Organizing congregations tend to be highly structured, very organized, and program rich. Committees and work teams involve large numbers. Focus in on the institution.

Ministries Resulting From Ministries Resulting From Spiritual Gifts Are For:Spiritual Gifts Are For:

• The Building Up Of The Church (Not The The Building Up Of The Church (Not The Individual!Individual!

““For the PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, For the PERFECTING OF THE SAINTS, for the WORK OF THE MINISTRY, for the for the WORK OF THE MINISTRY, for the EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.” -- EDIFYING OF THE BODY OF CHRIST.” -- Ephesians 4:12Ephesians 4:12

2 Parts Of The Spirit’s 2 Parts Of The Spirit’s “GIFTING” Ministry“GIFTING” Ministry

• Singles out individuals for particular Singles out individuals for particular Ministries– Giving Spiritual Gifts Ministries– Giving Spiritual Gifts

(1Cor. 12:11; Isa. 61)(1Cor. 12:11; Isa. 61)

• Imparts the ability to perform those Imparts the ability to perform those Ministries (Acts 1:8)Ministries (Acts 1:8)

Ch’s Strength - Ch’s Strength - Diversity of GiftsDiversity of Gifts

• Variety of Gifts (1 Cor. 12:4)Variety of Gifts (1 Cor. 12:4)• HS determines who gets the Gifts (v. 11)HS determines who gets the Gifts (v. 11)• The Gifts are designed to foster cooperation, The Gifts are designed to foster cooperation,

NOT DIVISION (v. 13-17)NOT DIVISION (v. 13-17)• The unique blend of Gifts is ORDAINED BY GOD The unique blend of Gifts is ORDAINED BY GOD

(v. 18, 21-25)(v. 18, 21-25)• UNITY IS THE NATURAL RESULT (v. 25-27)UNITY IS THE NATURAL RESULT (v. 25-27)

Spiritual Gifts Are Not An Spiritual Gifts Are Not An End In ThemselvesEnd In Themselves

Spiritual Gifts are useless without Spiritual Gifts are useless without ACTIVE SERVICE!ACTIVE SERVICE!

USE THEM OR LOOSE THEM!USE THEM OR LOOSE THEM!

Everyone Has At Least One Everyone Has At Least One

Spiritual GiftSpiritual Gift (1 Cor. 12:11)(1 Cor. 12:11)

““All men do not receive the same All men do not receive the same Gifts, but to every servant of The Gifts, but to every servant of The Master some Gift of The Spirit is Master some Gift of The Spirit is

promised.” Col. 327promised.” Col. 327

ALL GIFTS ARE IMPORTANT!ALL GIFTS ARE IMPORTANT!EVERYONE OF US IS EVERYONE OF US IS

IMPORTANT!IMPORTANT!

We cannot all DO the same thing.We cannot all DO the same thing.

But we can all DO SOMETHING!But we can all DO SOMETHING!

Many would be willing to Many would be willing to work if they were taught work if they were taught

how to begin.how to begin.Min. of Healing, 149Min. of Healing, 149

Greater efforts should be put Greater efforts should be put forth to educate the people.forth to educate the people.

Testimonies, 9:161Testimonies, 9:161

When the churches are left to When the churches are left to inactivity Satan sees to it that inactivity Satan sees to it that

they are employed.they are employed.Testimonies, 6:425Testimonies, 6:425

The greatest cause of our The greatest cause of our spiritual feebleness as a people, spiritual feebleness as a people,

is the lack of real faith in is the lack of real faith in Spiritual Gifts.Spiritual Gifts.RH, January 14, 1868.RH, January 14, 1868.

Spiritual Gifts Benefits

1. Personal1. Personal

2. Church2. Church

3. God’s Kingdom3. God’s Kingdom

The 12th and 13th chapters of 1st Corinthians should be committed to memory, written in the mind and heart (MS 82, 1898).

Two chapters Two chapters to be memorizedto be memorized

The Lord desires me to call the attention of His people to the 13th chapter of 1st Corinthians. Read this chapter every day, and from it obtain comfort and strength (RH July 21, 1904).

Read this ChapterRead this ChapterEvery DayEvery Day

2 Tim 3:172 Tim 3:17

That the man of God may be That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.unto all good works.

Our Fervent Prayer:Our Fervent Prayer:

““Lord, Impress me with the Gifts Lord, Impress me with the Gifts You have given me, and grant me You have given me, and grant me

wisdom to use them in Your cause. wisdom to use them in Your cause. Amen.”Amen.”