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Administration: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body
of Christ to organize, delegate, and motivate people in such a way that what needs to be done gets
done.
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Serving (Arts/Crafts): The divine endowment given to certain members of
the Body of Christ who possess the artistic ability and creativity to enhance and build up the
Kingdom within the church in this supportive role.
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Evangelism: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of
Christ to present the Gospel especially to those who are not a part of the Body of Christ.
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Exhortation: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of
Christ to bring words of comfort and consolation, encouragement and counsel to other members of the
Body of Christ in such a way that they are helped and healed.
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Faith: The divine endowment of vision given to certain members of the
Body of Christ; the ability to see something that needs to be done and believe that God will do it
even if it looks impossible.
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Giving: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of
Christ to contribute with extraordinary generosity of their material resources to the work of the
Lord.
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Serving (General): The divine endowment given to certain members of the
Body of Christ to work within the church in any supportive role, and to make it possible for others
to carry out the ministry of the Word.
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Serving (Manual Arts): The divine endowment given to certain members of
the Body of Christ to use their hands in practical ways to make it possible for others to carry out
the ministry of the Word.
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Hospitality: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of
Christ to willingly open their homes to others, and cheerfully offer lodging, food, and fellowship.
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Intercession: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body
of Christ to pray earnestly and with persistence, knowing that there will be positive effects in
building the Kingdom as a result.
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Knowledge: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of
Christ to understand correctly and to communicate clearly the great truths God has hidden in His
Word.
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Leadership: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of
Christ to oversee various aspects of the work of the church in such a way that their vision and
example serve as inspiration for others to follow.
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Showing Mercy: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body
of Christ to feel genuine compassion for suffering individuals and to translate that compassion into
Christ like deeds that are cheerfully done to help alleviate the suffering.
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Music (Vocal): The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body
of Christ to use skillfully their voices in raising praises to God, especially in the corporate
worship service.
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Shepherding: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of
Christ that enables them to assume an ongoing personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare of
another Christian or group of Christians.
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Writing: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of
Christ to inform, encourage, instruct, or entertain readers clearly, effectively, and concisely with
the written word.
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Wisdom: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of
Christ to relate and apply the truths of the Word to specific needs and problems of life.
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Music (Instrumental): The divine endowment given to certain members of
the Body of Christ to play skillfully a musical instrument in praise of God, especially in the
corporate worship service.
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Teaching: The divine endowment given to certain members of the Body of
Christ to explain clearly and apply effectively the truth of the Word of God so that others may
learn and profit.
As you reflect on the spiritual gifts you have tentatively discovered through the Spiritual Gifts
Discovery Tool, you will now want to find which ones truly are and which are not your gifts. To do
this you might want to follow what has been called the "Five E's" of gift discovery . . .
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Explore the possibilities. This you can do by studying again for yourself
the three key spiritual gift chapters in Scripture:
1 Corinthians 12,
Romans 12:1-8, and
Ephesians 4:1-16.
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Experiment with as many as possible. If you do not try a particular gift
you have tentatively discovered through the Spiritual Gifts Discovery Tool, you will have a hard
time knowing whether you have it or not. Volunteer to serve in an area of congregational work that
can put your tentative gift into practice. The key is to get involved, if possible, with each
tentative gift area.
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Examine your feelings. When you experiment with a gift and enjoy using it,
that is a good sign. You should find a measure of fulfillment in your service. It is a joyous thing
to serve the Lord with one's gifts.
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Evaluate your effectiveness. Spiritual gifts are meant to be used for the
benefit of others. As you use your gift(s) you should see positive, though not necessarily fabulous,
results taking place. If you are not seeing any results, it may be a sign that you do not have that
particular gift.
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Expect confirmation from others. Fellow believers can be very helpful in
the discovery and implementation of your spiritual gifts. They may perceive gifts in you that you
don't know you have and may then encourage you to put these gifts to use. They may also help you on
occasion to see that you don't have a particular gift you think you have, and then help to steer you
into a different avenue of service.
Follow through each of these five steps with prayer that the Lord himself will be the guiding and
directing as well as the motivating force in all your endeavors.
If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.
If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging,
let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously;
if it is leadership, let him govern diligently;
if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in
zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Romans 12:6b-15
Some of the material in Spiritual Gifts Discovery Tool is taken from Gifted to Serve,
by Professor David Valleskey © 1983 Northwestern Publishing House.
Adapted and used by permission.
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