Spiritual Gifts


Print Friendly, PDF & Email

Spiritual Gift “A special attribute given by the Spirit to every member of the body according to God’s grace for use within the context of the body.” (Wagner)

Part 1

Every Christian has a gift.  (I Corinthians 12:4-31)

  • I Corinthians 12:7- Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.

  • Romans 12:5, 6-so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6, We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.

    • 1 Peter 4:10 – Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

Each gift is designed to perfect the body of Christ (I Corinthians 12:7)

Not primarily for me?

  • 4:12 – for the equipping of the saints for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ

  • 4:16 – from whom the body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does it’s share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love

  • I Peter 4:10-11 – As each on e has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold God. If anyone speaks let him speak as the oracles of God

God is the giver of gifts as He wills.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:11All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he gives them to each one, just as he determines.

  • 1 Corinthians 12:18 – But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be.

Romans 12:3-6 – For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.  Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function,  so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith.

Spiritual gifts used are a basis for joy and fulfillment.

 

They are a significant part of God’s divine program.

CHARISMA         –       GIFT

CHARIS      –       GRACE

CHARA      –       JOY

Part 2

ROMANS 12:6-8 – We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. 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.

Understanding GRACE is essential to understanding GIFTS.

GRACE – God-given desire and power to do His will. I Corinthians 15:10.   It is also the initiatory act of God in grace, which secures the believers eternal salvation, but also that which maintains it throughout the entirety (power) of the Christian life. (See also I Peter 4:10; James: 4:6) But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” II Corinthians. 12:9- “And He has said to me my grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.”

Also I Corinthians. 15:10. – But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them- yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

Grace is the motivation.  Romans 12:6

We have one Motivational Gift.  We may have many ministry and manifestation gifts

  • I Peter 4:10    –   A (singular) gift

  • Romans 12:4,5 – Gifts compared to members of a body. (One function)

  • Romans 12:3-8 – Command to concentrate on our gift. (Singular)

 

There are three varieties or categories of gifts

  • I Corinthians 12:7

    • There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.

    • There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.

    • There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

    • I Corinthians 12:4 – Varieties of Gifts (Charisma)

    • I Corinthians 12:5 – Varieties of Ministries (diakonia)

    • I Corinthians 12:6 – Varieties of Effects (energma)

    • Note: Some other gifts: celibacy (I Corinthians 7:7), Hospitality (I Peter 4:9, I Corinthians 13:3), Intercessor, Exorcism, voluntary poverty, Martyrdom

 

MOTIVATIONAL                  MINISTRY                             MANIFESTATION

Power to serve                      Opportunities to serve           Effects of serving

(Grace) Rom. 12:6-8            I Corinthians. 12:28               I Corinthians. 12:7-11

Prophecy                                Apostle                                   Word of Wisdom, Knowledge

Serving                                    Prophet/Evangelist                Faith

Teaching                                 Teacher/Pastor                      Healings

Exhortation                            Works of Power                    Miracles

Giving                                     Healings                                  Prophecy

Administration                      Helps                                       Discerning Spirits

Mercy                                      Administration                      Tongues

Interpretation of tongues

We are to concentrate on our Motivational Gift, seek after the best Ministry Gifts for the need, and expect the Holy Spirit to Manifest Gifts to everyone for the common good.

Every Christian is admonished to do all 7 motivational gifts as activities.

  • We won’t do them as well as someone with that gift.

  • We can learn how to do them better from someone with that gift.

  • We are not released from these activities because we do not have a certain gift.

  • Examples of everyone’s involvement in all seven motivational gifts.

Prophesy: I Corinthians. 14:1

Serve: Colossians 3:23, 24

Teach: Matt .28:20

Exhort (encourage): Heb. 3:13

Give: Luke 6:38

Administrate: I Tim. 3:4, 5

Mercy:     Col. 3:12

There are definite HINDRANCES to discovering your gift. Basically, all sin keeps us from knowing ourselves and being what God wants us to be.  Romans 3:23.        

  • Bitterness:             12:15

  • Temporal values: I Corinthians. 10:1-13 (key vs. 6&7)

  • Moral Impurity: I Tim. 3:1-10

  • Irresponsibility:    12:48

% of the population with Motivational gifts

Prophet                         12 %

Server                            17 %

Teacher                         6 %

Exhorter                       16 %

Giver                              6 %

Administrator               13 %

Mercy                           30 %

Biblical Examples of Those With Motivation Gifts

 

PROPHET

  • John the Baptist

– Matthew 21:32, Luke 3:2-20, 7:18-29

  • Anna – Luke 2:36-38

  • Mary – Mark 6:3, Luke 1:26-56

  • Ananias – Acts 9:10-17; 22:12-16

  • Hosea – Hosea 1-14

  • Jeremiah – Jeremiah 1-52

SERVER

  • Martha – Luke 10:38-42; John 12:2

  • Phoebe – Romans 16:1-2

  • Stephen – Acts 6:1-15; 7:1-60

  • Philip (the deacon)

– John 1:43-45; 6:5-7; 12:21-22; 14:8; Acts 6:5; 8:5-40

  • Onesimus – Philemon; Colossians 4:9

  • Peter’s Mother-in-law

– Matthew 8:14-15

  • Jacob – Genesis 25-30

TEACHER

  • Apollos – Acts 18:24-28: I Corinthians 3:6

  • Aquila and Priscilla

– Acts 18:1-3, 24-28, Romans 16:3-5

  • Timothy – I & II Timothy

  • Thomas – John 20:24,28

  • Luke – Luke and Acts

EXHORTATION

  • Barnarbas – Acts 4:36, 11:22-26

  • Silas – Acts 15:22-40, 16:25- 29; 17:4, 19-15; I Peter 5:12

  • Titus – 2 Corinthians 2:13; 7: 6,13-14;  8:6-23;   12:18,  Gal 2:1-3; 2 Tim 4:10,Titus

  • Aaron – Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers

GIVING

  • Abraham – Genesis 13-14

  • Dorcus    – Acts 9:36-42

  • Cornelius – Acts 10:1-31

  • Epaphras – Col 1:7, 4:12, Philemon 23

  • Lydia  – Acts 16:14,40

  • Zacchaeus- Luke 19:1-10

  • Solomon – I Kings 1-11, 2 Chronicles 1-9

 

ADMINISTRATOR

  • Joseph – Gen 30-40

  • Nehemiah – Nehemiah 1-7

  • Deborah   – Judges 4-5

  • David     – 1 SAM 16-31

  • Annas  – Luke 3:2, John 18:13-24

  • James (brother of Jesus)

– Matt 13:55; Mark 6:3; Acts 12:17; 15:13; 21:18

  • Jairis – Matt 9:18; Mark 5:22-43; Luke 8:41-45

MERCY

  • Ruth – Ruth

  • Joseph (legal father of Jesus)

-Matt 1:16-24; 2:13; Luke 1:27; 2:4-51; 3:23; 4:22;

  • Rachel – Gen 29-31

  • Rebekah – Gen 23:22; 24:29; 35:8; 49:31

MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS – THE BODY OF CHRIST

  • Prophet     – The Eye of the Body

  • Server – The Hands of the Body

  • Teacher – The Mind of the Body

  • Exhorter – The Mouth of the Body

  • Giver – The Arms of the Body

  • Administrator – The shoulders of the Body

  • Mercy – The Heart of the Body

 Here some questions

                                                                           

  • When do you receive a gift and how long do you keep a gift? Scripture is not clear about when gifts are received.  There is some empirical evidence that gifts are received at birth and perhaps activated at salvation or even later.

  • Can Satan counterfeit the gifts?                                                           Satan can only counterfeit the gifts.  There is a danger of seeing the gifts counterfeited and then not believing in the gifts because one sees the enemy using them.

  • How do you discover your spiritual gifts?

Explore the possibilities.

Experiment with as many as you can.

Examine your feelings.

Evaluate your effectiveness.

Expect confirmation from the body.

  • Don’t you need the gift of tongues to be really spiritual?                              The Corinthian church thought so!  Gordon Fee writes: “The Corinthians seemed to have considered themselves to be already like the angels, thus truly ‘spiritual’ needing neither sex in the present (7:1) nor a body in the future (15:1-58).  Speaking angelic dialects by the Spirit was evidence enough for them of their participation in the new spirituality, hence their singular enthusiasm for this gift.  But Paul had a different view of life in the Spirit.  For him it did not so much remove one from present existence, as enable one to live in the present simultaneously in weakness and power…Thus in the present they must cultivate loving, responsible relationship in the body of Christ; and their times of public worship must be for mutual edification not for heightened individualistic spirituality, which in their case had become a false spirituality.” (Page 573)

NOTE: Diversity, not uniformity, is essential for a healthy church.

I Corinthians 12: 4- 31

  • What is meant by gifts of healings?                   There are two possibilities:

    1. There are different kinds of healing, i.e. inner healing and physical healing.

    2. The gift of healing comes on a person for a specific reason and can often come on a person.

  • What is the gift of tongues?

Gordon Fee writes:

“The following seems certain:

It is Spirit-inspired utterance that is made explicit both in v. 7, 11, and 14:2. The regulations for its use in 14:27 make it clear that the speaker is not in ‘ecstasy’ or out of control.  Quite the opposite; the speakers must speak in turn, and they must remain silent if there is no one to interpret. It is speech essentially unintelligible both to the speaker (14:14) and to other hearers (14:16).  It is speech directed basically toward God (14:2, 14-15), one may assume therefore, that what is ‘interpreted’ is not speech directed toward others, but the ‘mysteries’ spoken to God.  What is less certain is whether Paul also understood the phenomenon to be an actual language.

In favor of such a view are:

  • The term itself

  • The need for interpretation, and

  • The evidence from Acts 2:5-11.

  • In the final analysis, however, this question seems irrelevant. Paul’s whole argument is predicated on its unintelligibility to both speaker and hearer; he certainly does not envisage someone being present that would be able to understand it because it was also an earthly language.” (Page 598)

Tongues include:

  • Speaking to God I Corinthians 12:2, 14:14

  • Speaking to the church I Corinthians  14:13

  • Singing              I Corinthians  14: 15

·         Should we want gifts we do not seem to have?

I Corinthians 12:31

I Corinthians 14:1

 

  • What are the greater gifts?

Gordon Fee: I Corinthians 12:31

“Paul’s own emphasis throughout the preceding argument is consistently on the need for diversity, not on ranking some gifts as greater than others. This is confirmed by the rhetoric of v. 29-30, which quite disregards any concern for rank, and has only to do with variety.

By the same reasoning that puts tongues as the least, apostles should be the greater gift, yet all are agreed that this is the one gift that none of them may properly eagerly desire.

Although prophecy is as used as the primary example of intelligibility in chap. 14. Its place in the two lists in chapter 12 is ambiguous- sixth on the first one, second on the other.

The lack of concern for ranking is manifest by Paul’s failure to include five of the nine items from the first list in the second one, and of the four he does not include, the first three are in reverse order.

Such a view seems to run full in the face of the concern in the second application of the body imagery (vv. 2-26), where Paul stressed their mutual interdependence, no one being “superior to others. (p. 621-footnote) “…The need for intelligibility in the community; all the intelligible gifts are ‘greater’ than tongues because they can edify while tongues without interpretation cannot”…What Paul is about to embark on is a description of what he calls ‘a way’ that is beyond comparison.  The way they are going is basically destructive to the church as a community; the way they are being called to is one that seeks the good of others before oneself.  It is the way of edifying the church (14:1-5) or seeking the common good (12:7).  In that context, one will still earnestly desire the things of the Spirit (14:1), but precisely so that others will be edified.” (Page 625)

What does I Corinthians 14:22 mean?

Gordon Fee:  “In light of vs. 21, for which this is the inferential deduction, ‘sign’ in this first sentence can only function in a negative way.  That is, it is a sign that functions to the disadvantage of unbelievers, not to their advantage… Because tongues are unintelligible, unbelievers receive no revelation from God; they cannot thereby be brought to faith. Thus by their response of seeing the work of the Spirit as madness, they are destined for divine judgment- just as in the OT passage Paul has quoted.  This, of course, is not the divine intent for such people; hence Paul’s urgency is that the Corinthians cease thinking like children and stop the public use of tongues, since it serves to drive the unbeliever away rather than to lead him or her to faith.” (Page 682).

 

How are gifts to be exercised?  I Corinthians. 12 and 14.

Appropriately, orderly, intelligently, SUPERVISED

Gifts of the Spirit

I Corinthians 12:7-10:

Word of Wisdom, a revelation of wisdom beyond natural human wisdom that enables a person to know what to do or say.

Word of Knowledge, a revelation of information for a person, group, or situation that could not have been known by any natural means.

Prophecy, an anointed proclamation of God through an individual to encourage, exhort, or comfort.

Discerning of Spirits, a person’s ability to perceive what type of spirit is in operation in a given situation.

Various kinds of Tongues, the languages given to the believer by the Holy Spirit but not learned or understood by the speaker.

Interpretation of tongues, the supernatural ability to express the content of what has been spoken in tongues.

Gifts of Healing, the many different ways and varieties of degrees in which God manifests healing.

Working of Miracles, the demonstration of the power and action of God that goes beyond natural laws.

Romans 12:6-8:

Prophet (Perceiver), who clearly perceives the will of God.

  • Quickly and accurately identifies good and evil and hates evil.

  • Sees everything as either black or white; no gray or indefinite areas.

  • Easily perceives the character of individuals and groups.

  • Encourages repentance that produces good fruit.

  • Believes the acceptance of difficulties will produce personal brokenness.

  • Has only a few or no close friendships. (Enjoys being alone with God, praying.)

  • Views the Bible as the basis for truth, belief, action, and authority.

  • Boldly operates on spiritual principles.

  • Is frank, outspoken, and doesn’t mince words.

  • Is very persuasive in method of speaking.

  • Grieves deeply over the sins of others.

  • Is eager to see his own blind spots and to help others see theirs, too.

  • Desires above all else to see God’s Plan worked out in all situations.

  • Strongly promotes the spiritual growth of groups and individuals.

  • Is called to intercession.

  • Feels a need to verbalize or dramatize what he “sees.”

  • Tends to be introspective.

  • Has strong opinions and convictions.

  • Has strict personal standards.

  • Desires to be obedient to God at all costs.

Problems:

  • Tends to be judgmental and blunt.

  • Forgets to praise partial progress due to goal consciousness.

  • Is pushy in trying to get others and groups to mature spiritually.

  • Is intolerant of opinions and views that differ from his own.

  • Struggles with self-image problems.

Example:  Hosea  (Hosea 1-14

 

Server (Doer), one who loves to serve others.

  • Easily recognizes practical needs and is quick to meet them.

  • Especially enjoys manual projects, jobs, and functions.

  • Keeps everything in meticulous order.

  • Is a detail person with a good memory.

  • Enjoys showing hospitality.

  • Will stay with something until it is complete.

  • Has a hard time saying no to requests for help.

  • Is more interested in meeting the needs of others than own needs.

  • Enjoys working on immediate goals rather than long-range goals.

  • Shows love for others in deeds and actions more than words.

  • Needs to feel appreciated.

  • Tends to do more than asked to do.

  • Feels greatest joy in doing something that is helpful.

  • Does not what to lead others or projects.

  • Has a high energy level.

  • Cannot stand to be around clutter.

  • Tends to be a perfectionist.

  • Views serving to be of primary importance to life.

  • Prefers doing a job to delegating it.

  • Supports others who are in leadership.

Problems:

  • Is critical of others who do not help out with obvious needs.

  • May neglect own family’s needs by being too busy helping others.

  • May become pushy or interfering in eagerness to help.

  • Finds it hard to accept being served by others.

  • Is easily hut when unappreciated.

Example: Martha (Luke 10:38-42, John 12:2)

 

Teacher, one who loves to research and communicate truth.

  • Presents truth in a logical, systematic way.

  • Validates truths by checking out the facts.

  • Loves to study and do research.

  • Enjoys word studies.

  • Prefers to use biblical illustrations rather than life illustrations.

  • Gets upset when Scripture is used out of context.

  • Feels concerned that truth be established in every situation.

  • Is more objective than subjective.

  • Easily develops and uses a large vocabulary.

  • Emphasizes facts and the accuracy of words.

  • Checks out the source of knowledge of others who teach.

  • Prefers teaching believers to engaging in evangelism

  • Feels Bible study is foundational to the operation of all the gifts.

  • Solves problems by starting with scriptural principles.

  • Is intellectually sharp.

  • Is self-disciplined.

  • Is emotionally self-controlled.

  • Has only a select circle of friends.

  • Has strong convictions and opinions based on investigation of facts.

  • Believes truth has the intrinsic power to produce change.

Problems:

  • Tends to neglect the practical application of truth.

  • Is slow to accept viewpoints of others.

  • Tends to develop pride in intellectual ability.

  • Tends to be legalistic and dogmatic.

  • Is easily sidetracked by new interests.

Example:  Apollos (Acts 18:24-28, I Corinthians 3:6)

 

Exhorter (Encourager), one who loves to encourage others to live a

victorious life.

  • Loves to encourage others to live victoriously.

  • Wants a visible response when teaching or speaking.

  • Prefers to apply truth rather than research it.

  • Prefers systems of information that have practical application.

  • Loves to prescribe precise steps of action to aid personal growth.

  • Focuses on working with people.

  • Encourages others to develop in their personal ministries.

  • Finds truth in experience and then validates it with scripture.

  • Loves to do personal counseling.

  • Will discontinue personal counseling if no effort to change is seen.

  • Is fluent in communication.

  • Views trials as opportunities to produce personal growth.

  • Accepts people as they are without judging them.

  • Is greatly loved because of his positive attitude.

  • Prefers to witness with life rather than verbal witnessing.

  • Makes decisions easily.

  • Always completes what is started.

  • Wants to clear up problems with others quickly.

  • Expects a lot of self and others.

  • Needs a “sounding board” for bouncing off ideas and thoughts.

Problems:  Tends to interrupt others in eagerness to give opinions or

advice.

  • Will use scriptures out of context in order to make a point.

  • May be “cut-and-dried” in prescribing steps of action.

  • Is outspokenly opinionated.

  • Can become overly self-confident.

Example: Barnabas (Acts 4:36, 11:22-26)

Giver, one who loves to give time, talent, energy, and means to benefit

others and advance the Gospel.

  • Gives freely of money, possessions, time, energy, and love.

  • Loves to give without others knowing about it.

  • Wants to feel a part of the ministries to which he contributes.

  • Intercedes for needs and the salvation of souls.

  • Feels delighted when his gift is an answer to specific prayer.

  • Wants gift to be of high quality or craftsmanship.

  • Gives only by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

  • Gives to support and bless others or to advance a ministry.

  • Views hospitality as an opportunity to give.

  • Handles finances with wisdom and frugality.

  • Quickly volunteers to help where a need is seen.

  • Seeks confirmation on the amount to give.

  • Has strong belief in tithing and in giving in addition to tithing.

  • Focuses on sharing the Gospel.

  • Believes God is the Source of his supply.

  • Is very industrious with tendency toward success.

  • Has natural and effective business ability.

  • Likes to get the best value for the money spent.

  • Is definitely not gullible.

  • Possess both natural and God-given wisdom.

Problems:

  • May try to control how contributions are used.

  • Tends to pressure others to give.

  • May upset family and friends with unpredictable patterns of giving.

  • Tends to spoil own children or other relatives.

  • May use financial giving to get out of other responsibilities.

Example:  Abram (Genesis 13-14)

 

Administrator, one who loves to organize, lead, or direct.

  • Is highly motivated to organize that for which he is responsible.

  • Expresses ideas and organization in ways that communicate clearly.

  • Prefers to be under authority in order to have authority.

  • Will not take responsibility unless delegated by those in authority.

  • Will assume responsibilities if no specific leadership exists.

  • Especially enjoys working on long-range goals and projects.

  • Is a visionary person with abroad perspective.

  • Easily facilitates resources and people to accomplish tasks or goals.

  • Enjoys delegating tasks and supervising people.

  • Will endure criticism in order to accomplish the ultimate task.

  • Has great zeal and enthusiasm for whatever he is involved in.

  • Finds greatest fulfillment and joy in working to accomplish goals.

  • Is willing to let others get the credit in order to get a job done.

  • Prefers to move on to a new challenge once something is completed.

  • Constantly writes notes to self.

  • Is a natural and capable leader.

  • Knows when to keep old methods going and when to introduce new ones.

  • Enjoys working with and being around people.

  • Wants to see things completed as quickly as possible.

  • Does not enjoy doing routine tasks.

Problems:

  • Becomes upset when others do not share the same vision or goals.

  • Develops outer callousness due to being a target for criticism.

  • Can regress into “using people to accomplish own goals.

  • Tends to drive self and neglect personal and family needs.

  • Neglects routine home responsibilities due to intense interest in “job.”

Example:  Joseph (Genesis 37-50)

Mercy (Compassion), one who shows compassion, love and care to those in need.

  • Has tremendous capacity to show love.

  • Always looks for good in people.

  • Senses the spiritual and emotional atmosphere of a group or individual.

  • Is attracted to people who are hurting or in distress.

  • Takes action to remove hurts and relieve distress in others.

  • Is more concerned for mental and emotional distress than physical

  • Is motivated to help people have right relationships with one another.

  • Loves opportunities to give preference or place to others.

  • Takes care with words and actions to avoid hurting others.

  • Easily detects insincerity or wrong motives.

  • Is drawn to others with the gift of compassion.

  • Loves to do thoughtful things for others.

  • Is trusting and trustworthy.

  • Avoids conflicts and confrontations.

  • Doesn’t like to be rushed in a job or activity.

  • Is typically cheerful and joyful.

  • Is ruled by the heart rather than head.

  • Rejoices to see others blessed and grieves to see others hurt.

  • Is a crusader for good causes.

  • Intercedes for the hurts and problems of others.

Problems:

  • Tends to be indecisive.

  • Is often prone to take up another person’s offense.

  • Is easily hurt by others.

  • Empathizes too much with the suffering of others.

  • Affectionate nature is often misinterpreted by opposite sex.

Example:  Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-35)

Much of this material has been condensed from:

DISCOVER YOUR GOD-GIVEN GIFTS – DON AND KATIE FORTUNE (REVELL, 1987)

SPIRITUAL GIFTS QUESTIONNAIRE

Please write your name and the date on the answer sheet where indicated.

Please do not write or mark on this booklet.  Indicate your answers on the answer sheet provided.

Please answer every question, even if you feel uncertain about the answer.

Decide how each question applies to you.  Then indicate your answer    by circling the appropriate number.  Each answer is scaled from “0” for Never to “10” for always.  “5” is the midpoint”

Try to give a definite answer whenever you can avoiding the mid point.

  1. Do you like to tell people how you feel about certain subjects?

  1. Can you tell if people are honest?

  1. Are you able to tell if things are evil, and hate them?

  1. Do you use God’s words to back up what you say?

  1. Do you want people to act the way they talk?

  1. Do you speak directly, clearly. and strongly?

  1. Are you concerned about what people think of God and the way He does things?

  1. Are you concerned about how God’s money is collected and used?

  1. Do the sins of people you talk with disappoint you?

  1. Do you like to have others point out sin in your life?

  1. Is your straightforwardness sometimes viewed as mean?

  1. Would you rather work with groups than individuals?

  1. Do you tend to exaggerate a problem, making it either black or white?

  1. Are you so bold and strict in public that it bothers close friends?

  1. Are you more interested in speaking the truth than to listening to another’s point of view?

  1. Do you tend to make quick opinions about everything?

  1. Can you easily remember what friends like and do not like?

  1. Are you able to tell when people are in need and then want to help them?

  1. Do you enjoy working with your hands?

  1. Do you want to do things that need to be done, as soon as possible?

  1. Do you keep working to finish projects even when you are tired?

  1. Are you willing to use your own money to make sure projects are done on time?

  1. Do you like people to tell you when they appreciate what you have done, and can you tell when they do not appreciate you?

  1. Do you like to do more than is expected of you?

  1. Are you involved in a lot, but still are unable to say no?

  1. Do you enjoy projects that you can finish soon more than ones that take a long time?

  1. Does it upset you when projects have to be completed in a short time?

  1. Do you like to do jobs by yourself more than with a group?

  1. Does it bother you when other people can not tell when something needs to be done?

  1. Do you insist on helping others and reject others helping you?

  1. Are you easily hurt when people do not appreciate what you have done?

  1. Is it important to you that people use words properly?

  1. Do you like to know what the Bible means in its original language?

  1. Do you seem to test the knowledge of people who teach you?

  1. Do you enjoy looking up things to prove that they are true?

  1. Do you compare new things to things you already know are true?

  1. Do you tell people things in an organized way?

  1. Do you prefer to use stories from the Bible to explain truth?

  1. Does it bother you when someone uses a Bible verse in the wrong way?

  1. Do you enjoy researching for truth more than presenting truth?

  1. Do you think that going through hard times makes you a better person?

  1. Do you like to see people reach goals through the right steps?

  1. Do you avoid information that does not have a practical use in life?

  1. Do you like to see that people accept you when you speak?

  1. Do you find things that the Bible is talking about happening in real life?

  1. Do you enjoy people who are eager to follow steps of action?

  1. Does it bother you when teachers do not tell you how to use what you have learned?

  1. Do you enjoy learning new ideas from friends?

  1. Do you want your lifestyle to prove that you are a Christian?

  1. Are you more concerned about what a person does than how he feels?

  1. Do you get people excited about things even when those things may never happen?

  1. Do you plan exciting things for the future that you never do?

  1. Do you use your money wisely?

  1. Do you like to give money to worthy causes without other people knowing about it?

  1. Do you try to give in a way that would get others to give?

  1. Do you see needs that other people overlook?

  1. Do you like to meet needs without being asked to?

  1. Does it make you happy when what you give is an answer to someone’s prayer?

  1. Do you depend on other’s advice deciding what to give?

  1. Do you want what you give to be the best it can?

  1. Do you want to feel part of the ministry you are giving to?

  1. Do you deal with a lot of money?

  1. Do you want to make a ministry better by giving to it?

  1. Do you usually save more than spend?

  1. Can you understand overall projects and see their goals?

  1. Do you like to organize things you are responsible for?

  1. Do you usually stand on the sideline until someone turns a responsibility over to you?

  1. Do you tend to lead activities if no one else will?

  1. Do you like to finish tasks as soon as possible?

  1. Do you usually know what things are available to help you finish a job?

  1. Can you usually finish a job with whatever is available?

  1. Do you usually know what jobs you should or should not ask others to do?

  1. Are you able to pass parts of jobs on to other people?

  1. Are you able to put up with other people when they do not like how things are being done, in order to get the job done right?

  1. Does it make you feel good when a project you are working on comes together and makes others happy?

  1. Do you sometimes see people as tools to get a job done?

  1. Can you tell if a person or group is happy or upset?

  1. Do you feel close to and understand people who are upset?

  1. Do you like to talk with people who feel bad and help make them feel better?

  1. Do you care more about people’s mental problems than their physical problems?

  1. Do you try not to be firm, unless you know it will help?

  1. Are you careful about words and actions that might hurt other people?

  1. Can you tell when people really mean what they say and do?

  1. Do you enjoy being with people who care a lot about others?

  1. Do you tend to avoid people who do not care about others?

  1. Is it hard for you to make decisions when you think that it will hurt someone’s feelings?

Spiritual Gifts Answer Key



The majority of these prayers are included in our book Generational Prayers – 2022 Edition, which is available in paperback and eBook formats. Visit this page for details.

Come Up Higher and the Exploring Heavenly Places book series provide biblical explanations of our prayers. Visit our bookstore for more information.


These prayers are not a quick fix. Instead, they are starting points as you work out your freedom in Christ. Be ready to adjust these prayers as you and those you pray with listen to the Holy Spirit.

Permission is given to print this prayer in its entirety provided that no changes are made. In addition, please reference Aslan’s Place and aslansplace.com on all reproductions. This prayer may not be reproduced in publications without written consent from Aslan’s Place.