By
Truitt Adair
SEMINAR TOPICS
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Understanding and Discovering Your Spiritual Gift
Session One: Explaining the Gifts
Session Two: Exploring the Scriptures
Session Three: Discovering Your Gift
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Using Your Gift to Strengthen and Grow the Body
Session Four: Identifying Your Place in the Body
Session Five: Mobilizing the Membership
Session Six: Focus on Your Strengths
Session One
EXPLAINING SPIRITUAL
GIFTS
SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE IMPORTANT
“Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want
you to be ignorant.”
I Corinthians 12:1
“No local congregation will be what it should be,
what Jesus prayed that it should be, what the
Holy Spirit gifted it and empowered it to be
until it understands spiritual gifts.”
John McArthur
FOUR THINGS TODAY’S
SPIRITUAL GIFTS ARE NOT
• They are not natural talents
Judges 20:16
• They are not spiritual fruit
Galatians 5:22-23
• They are not ministry roles
Philippians 1:1
• They are not miraculous gifts
1 Corinthians 12:28-30
A GIFT LIST
• Romans 12:6-8 – prophesying, serving, teaching,
•
•
•
•
encouraging, contributing, leadership, mercy-showing
I Corinthians 12:8-10 – wisdom, knowledge, faith,
healing, miracles, Prophecy, distinguishing spirits, tongues,
interpretation.
I Corinthians 12:28-30 – apostles, prophets, teachers,
miracle workers, healing, helpers, administrators, tongues
Ephesians 4:11 - apostles, prophets, evangelists,
pastors (shepherds), teachers
1 Peter 4:11 – speaking, serving
DIFFERENT KINDS OF GIFTS
I Corinthians 12:4-6
• FOUNDATION GIFTS
• SIGN GIFTS
• SERVING GIFTS
THE FOUNDATION GIFTS
• Apostles and Prophets
Ephesians 2:19-20 , I Corinthians 12:28-30,
Ephesians 4:11
• The Purpose of these Gifts
John 16:13, I Corinthians 2:6-13,
Ephesians 3:2-6
We are still building on the
foundation of the apostles
and prophets as we preach
the gospel they revealed,
spoke and wrote down in
the first century.
THE SIGN GIFTS
The supernatural ability to
circumvent the normal process
of nature in order to
accomplish a divine purpose.
Examples are miracles,
tongues, healing, and raising
the dead.
A SIGN IS OFFERED AS PROOF
• Essential in confirming the foundational
work of Jesus and His apostles and
prophets
John 20:30-31, Hebrews 2:2-4
• The purpose is seen in their use
Mark 16:16-20, Acts 5:12-16
I Corinthians 14:21-22
When their confirming
work was accomplished,
sign gifts, like foundation
gifts, became a part of the
history of the church.
THE SERVING GIFTS
Serving gifts are to enable the body of
Christ to build itself up in order to
fulfill its redemptive purpose.
Ephesians 4:11-16
The list of serving gifts is as
long as the needs in the body
and the community.
Partial lists can be seen in:
Romans 12:4-8, Ephesians 4:11
In this seminar we will focus on 10
spiritual “gifts” or “passions”
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Administrator – Passion for visionary leadership
Encourager - Passion for positive motivation
Soul-winner - Passion for seeking lost/sharing the gospel
Giver - Passion for generosity with physical blessings
Shepherd – Passion for spiritual nurturing
Mercy-shower – Passion for caring for those in distress
Missionary – Passion for planting and pioneering
Proclaimer – Passion for telling truth and confronting sin
Servant – Passion for meeting everyday needs
Teacher – Passion for study and sharing knowledge
GIFT ORIENTATION
Verbal Gifts
Proclaimer
Missionary
Teacher
Soul-winner
Non Verbal Gifts
Servant
Mercy-shower
Encourager
Giver
Both
Shepherd
Administrator
GIFTS ARE FOR SERVING
“Each one should use whatever gift
he has received to serve others,
faithfully administering God’s
grace in its various forms.”
I Peter 4:10
By
Truitt Adair
Session Two
Exploring the
Scriptures
Two Greek Words for “Gift”
• DORON: The normal word for “gift,” meaning an
offering or present given to a person or to God.
Lk.21:1, Eph.2:8, Matt.8:4
• CHARISMA: From the same root word as
“grace;” it is a spiritual endowment or benefit
graciously given by God. This is the word for
spiritual gift. 2 Tim. 1:6, Rom.6:23
Four Scriptures Reveal 90% of Biblical
Information on Spiritual Gifts
Romans 12
I Corinthians 12
Ephesians 4
I Peter 4
Let the Bible Speak
• Everyone’s “gift” belongs to the whole
Body. “For 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, though many, form one body, and each
member belongs to all the others. We have
different gifts, according to the grace given to
us.” Rom.12:4-6
Let the Bible Speak
• Everyone’s “gift” belongs to the whole Body.
• Everyone’s “gift” is equally important.
“Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but
all its many parts form one body, so it is with
Christ…The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t
need you!’ And the head cannot say to the feet, ‘I
don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of
the body that seem weaker are indispensible….”
I Cor. 12:12,21-22
Let the Bible Speak
• Everyone’s “gift” belongs to the whole
Body.
• Everyone’s “gift” is equally important.
• Everyone’s “gift” is to equip the body.
“It was he who gave the apostles, the
prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and
teachers, to equip God’s people for works of
service, so that the body of Christ may be
built up….” Eph.4:11-12
Let the Bible Speak
•
•
•
•
Everyone’s “gift” belongs to the Body.
Everyone’s “gift” is equally important.
Everyone’s “gift” is to equip the body.
Everyone’s “gift” is used to serve others.
“Each of you should use whatever gift you
have received to serve others, as faithful
stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.”
I Pet.4:10
The Rewards of Using Your Gift
Lifting the burden of guilt at not being able to
do everything
Enjoyment of doing what you like and do
best
Satisfaction of knowing that your ministry
pleases God
Gifts are like money…
they can be used to help or
hurt or not used at all.
By
Truitt Adair
Session Three
KEYS TO GIFT
DISCOVERY
In this seminar we will focus on 10
spiritual “gifts” or “passions”
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Administrator – Passion for visionary leadership
Encourager - Passion for positive motivation
Soul-winner - Passion for seeking lost/sharing the gospel
Giver - Passion for generosity with physical blessings
Shepherd – Passion for spiritual nurturing
Mercy-shower – Passion for caring for those in distress
Missionary – Passion for planting and pioneering
Proclaimer – Passion for telling truth and confronting sin
Servant – Passion for meeting everyday needs
Teacher – Passion for study and sharing knowledge
SELF-DISCOVERY
YOUR GIFT IS PART OF WHO YOU ARE
• Your gift cannot be isolated in a testtube
• Relationship to God and others will
determine your gift
• Five principles to help in discovery
EXAMINE YOUR
RELATIONSHIP TO GOD
• Gratitude for grace and salvation
Ephesians 2:8-10
• Barriers, sins, attitude problems short-circuit
the process
• Explore gifts that draw you closer to God
LIST GOALS AND DREAMS
FOR THE KINGDOM OF GOD
• What did Paul’s ambition reveal about his
gift? Romans 15:20
• What would you most like to do for God?
“This one thing I do…” Philippians 3:13
• If God works in you the “will” He is able to
endow the gift to do it, within the framework
of His will. Philippians 2:13
EXPLORE NEEDS OF THE
LOCAL CHURCH FAMILY
• Most gifts are used in the context of the local
church
Ephesians 4:16
• List the needs in your local congregation that
are not being filled
• Now list the gifts needed to fill those needs
REVIEW YOUR PAST
MINISTRY EXPERIENCE
• Not a conclusive test – you may have
suppressed your gift II Timothy 1:6
• List five things you have done to serve
God and rate the success and personal
satisfaction of those efforts
SEEK FEEDBACK FROM
OTHER CHRISTIANS
• Consider the “shoulder tapping,” sincere
compliments and appeals for help from
others
• List the positive input about your service and
the gifts that are indicated
CONCLUSION
• The goal of gift discovery is effective
ministry rather than mere knowledge of
yourself
• Discovering ones gift brings the
responsibility to use it
• Read Colossians 4:17
Rate your gift on a scale of 1 to 10. If one of the gifts really
describes you, then give it a 9 or 10. If it does not describe
you at all, then rate it 1 or 2. If not sure, give it a 4-6.
Administrator
Encourager
Evangelist
Giver
Shepherd
Mercy giver
Missionary
Prophet
Servant
Teacher
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
__________
Top three point totals:
1. Gift: ______________________________
Points: __________
2. Gift: ______________________________
Points: __________
3. Gift: ______________________________
Points: __________
Lowest two point totals:
1. Gift: ______________________________
Points: __________
2. Gift: ______________________________
Points: __________
By
Truitt Adair
SESSION FOUR
Identifying Your Place
in the Body
COMPLETE THE GIFT INVENTORY
In this seminar we will focus on 10
spiritual “gifts” or “passions”
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Administrator – Passion for visionary leadership
Encourager - Passion for positive motivation
Soul-winner - Passion for seeking lost/sharing the gospel
Giver - Passion for generosity with physical blessings
Shepherd – Passion for spiritual nurturing
Mercy-shower – Passion for caring for those in distress
Missionary – Passion for planting and pioneering
Proclaimer – Passion for telling truth and confronting sin
Servant – Passion for meeting everyday needs
Teacher – Passion for study and sharing knowledge
Respond to each of the 80 questions with
the number which best describes you
• 0 = NEVER – “This does not describe me at all.”
• 1 = SOMETIMES – “This could describe me
occasionally, but is generally not true.”
• 2 = NOT SURE – “I don’t know if this describes me or
not; I can’t decide.”
• 3 = OFTEN – “This could describe me the majority of the
time, but there are times when it doesn’t.”
• 4 = ALWAYS – “This absolutely describes me; this is
who I am.”
Don’t agonize over the questions. Your first impression is
probably correct. It should take no more than 10 to 15 minutes.
Scoring your questionnaire
• Write the number you assigned to each question
in the space indicated for that question.
• Add up all of your numbers in each category and
put the total in the space provided.
• Write in the “gifts” with the three highest and the
two lowest scores to discover your primary “gift”
passion and preference.
Now compare your results with
your “self analysis” and “thirdparty analysis.” How close were
the results?
REPORT FOR MY SHEPHERDS
My Top Three Gifts:
1. _________________________________________________
2. _________________________________________________
3. _________________________________________________
Where I am using my gifts now:
Current ministries where I could use my gifts:
New ministries where I could use my gifts:
By
Truitt Adair
SESSION FIVE
MOBILIZING THE MEMBERSHIP
MOVING FROM MAINTENANCE
TO MINISTRY
Church ministry can
sometimes be drudgery.
MOBILIZING THE MEMBERSHIP
• Moving from Maintenance to Ministry
• Typically only a small percentage of members
use their gift in ministry
• The percentage decreases as church
membership increases
• One church of 450 members identified 17 jobs
READ I CORINTHIANS
12:31 – 14:1
• Gifts are like money – they can be used to
help or hurt or not used at all
• Love is the “most excellent way” to use
gifts (12:31)
• The desire for specific gifts must be
tempered by love (14:1)
AN ANALYSIS OF CHAPTER 13
• Gifts are empty without love v. 1-3
• The loving attitudes for the proper
use of gifts v. 4-7
• Love endures when gifts fail v. 8-13
THE PARTNERSHIP OF LOVE
AND SPIRITUAL GIFTS
• Love and Knowledge
I Corinthians 8:1, Ephesians 4:15
• Love and Unity
Romans 12:4-10
• Love and Zeal
II Timothy 1:6-7
LOVE +
SPIRITUAL GIFTS = MATURITY
AND GROWTH IN THE BODY OF
CHRIST
I John 4:7-12
THE RESPONSIBILITY OF GIFTS
• DISCOVERY
• DEPLOYMENT
• DEVELOPMENT
YOUR GIFT IS UNDER
YOUR CONTROL
• Your gift is a capacity to serve. It is God
making an opportunity available and
influencing you to use it.
• How you use your gift is under your control
(I Corinthians 14:32)
• You can neglect your gift or use it to the
glory of God
WHEN YOU ARE SERVING IN THE
AREA OF YOUR GIFTEDNESS, THREE
THINGS WILL HAPPEN
• God will be glorified
• The local body will become
healthier
• Your life will be enriched
Using your gifts in ministry can help
to bring back the joy of serving.
Paul’s charge to a tired and
discouraged fellow worker:
“ For this reason I remind you to fan into
flame the gift of God, which is in you through
the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God
gave us does not make us timid, but gives us
power, love and self-discipline.” II Tim.1:6-7
Isaya Jackson
By
Truitt Adair
SESSION SIX
FOCUS ON YOUR STRENGTHS
DISCOVER THE STRENGTHS AND
WEAKNESSES OF YOUR GIFT
We will look for 4 Things regarding
the stewardship of our gift:
• A basic description of the gift
• Strengths: dominate when one is
mature
• Weaknesses: dominate when one is
immature
• How to use the gift in serving the Lord
THE MISSIONARY: The person who
plants the cause of Christ or pioneers new works
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
•
•
•
•
•
•
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•
•
•
•
•
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Vision
Courage
Adaptability
Sacrificial
Independent
Confident
Promotional
Result-oriented
Unrealistic
Self-reliant
Demanding
Unsympathetic
Loner
Proud
Competitive
Unspiritual
Using the Missionary Gift
•
•
•
•
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•
•
Visit a missionary
Take a foreign or domestic mission trip.
Be active in “local missions” at home.
Serve on the missions committee
Get involved in WBS, WEI, LST or others
Serve in an inner city ministry
Attend SIBI and become and get the
training for full time mission work.
THE SOUL-WINNER: One who loves
to seek the lost and share the gospel with them
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
•
•
•
•
•
•
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•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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Outgoing
People person
Verbal
Redemptive
Passionate
Focused
Motivated
Confident
Overbearing
Undisciplined
Not a listener
Not pastoral
Impulsive
Intolerant
Critical
Enjoys attention
Using the Soul-winner Gift
• Visit hospitals, nursing homes and shut- ins
and read scriptures or pass out tracts
• Use correspondence courses for people in
your community
• Visit those who visit your congregation
• Set up studies with your neighbors
• Join evangelistic campaign groups
THE PROCLAIMER: The firebrand
who points out sin and calls people to repentance
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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•
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•
Objective
Convicted
Decisive
Disciplined
Authoritative
Articulate
Logical
Goal-oriented
Unkind
Angry
Impatient
Judgmental
Self-righteous
Negative
Unsympathetic
Disorganized
Using the Proclaimer Gift
• Begin a new convert’s class or females can
teach a ladies’ class
• Give a “communion talk” or Wednesday
night devotional
• Preach at a nursing home or prison
• Begin a home group for younger Christians
• Begin a “Sunset Satellite School”
• Attend SIBI and become a preacher or study
in the women’s ministry
THE TEACHER: The Bible scholar who
makes clear the doctrine and teaching of God’s word
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
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•
•
Knowledgeable
Studious
Thorough
Creative
Organized
Precise
Self-disciplined
Analytical
Proud
Aloof
Technical
Independent
Rigid
Trivial
Critical
Impractical
Using the Teacher Gift
• Develop regular Bible study and
scripture memory regimen
• Enroll in correspondence or internet
studies
• Volunteer to teach in your local
congregation
• Attend seminars and workshops
• Read good books and materials on
teaching methods
THE EXHORTER: The practical motivator
who urges others to a course of action
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Practical
Persuasive
Creative
Sympathetic
Demonstrative
Optimistic
Enthusiastic
Motivating
Shallow
Pushy
Changeable
Tolerant
Show off
Simplistic
Impulsive
Discouragement
Using the Exhorter Gift
• Write notes and cards of encouragement
to others
• Take small gifts to hospitals, nursing
homes, shut –ins and church visitors
• Have members in your home for a meal
• Visit those who are weak or have dropped
out of church
• Serve as a greeter
• Team up with a soul-winner
THE SHEPHERD: The nurturer who
leads, feeds and cares for the needs of God’s people
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Patient
Personable
Responsible
Caring
Peacemaker
Sacrificial
Faithful
Competent
Tolerant
Charismatic
Pride
Protective
Compromise
Bitter
Workaholic
Self-reliant
Using the Shepherd Gift
• Develop a “mentoring group”
• Attend leadership workshops and read
good leadership books
• Teach a “new members” class on
spiritual disciplines
• Become an “accountability partner”
• Become an “involvement” resource for
new or weak Christians
• Team up with an experienced Shepherd
THE MERCY-SHOWER: The one
who identifies with and cares for those in distress
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Sensitive
Sympathetic
Caring
Expressive
Accepting
Patient
Peaceable
Subjective
Resentful
Impulsive
Insecure
Compromising
Depressed
Pessimistic
Using the Mercy-Shower Gift
•
•
•
•
Write letters to soldiers and prisoners
Visit the sick, shut-in, and bereaved
Begin a grief recovery ministry
Volunteer in a nursing home, unwed
mother’s or battered wive’s home
• Seek out the lonely and outcast
members
• Begin a “recovery ministry” for addicts
THE SERVER:
The humble servant who meets
the practical needs of fellow Christians and the Church
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Skilled
Responsive
Task-oriented
Loyal
Methodical
Humble
Likeable
Patient
Unspiritual
Over-committed
Inconsistent
Dependent
Slow
Low self-image
Soft
Indecisive
Using the Server Gift
• Use your “profession” or “trade” to help
members or around the church building
• Prepare meals for a shut-in or the sick
• Serve in a “food pantry” or “clothing”
ministry at the church
• Help in the church office with bulletins or
publications
• Drive a van or car to pick up people for
church
• Ask the church leaders what needs you can
help to fill
THE GIVER:
The generous donor who meets
the financial needs of people and ministries for God’s work
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Motivated
Organized
Helpful
Disciplined
Generous
Conscientious
Positive
Decisive
Results oriented
Materialistic
Controlling
Demanding
Critical
Judgmental
Idealistic
Project focus
Using the Giver Gift
• Serve on the finance ministry of your church
• Give a liberal percentage in the Sunday offering
• Find worthwhile ministry causes and support them
liberally
• Serve on Board and Development groups for
brotherhood ministries
• Give anonymous, surprise gifts to missionaries and
good ministries
• Make a good estate plan (wills, trusts, etc) and keep
giving after your death
THE ADMINISTRATOR: The
visionary leader of a group or church
STRENGTHS
WEAKNESSES
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Task-oriented
Efficient
Individualistic
Ingenious
Strong
Visionary
Goal-minded
Methodical
Carnal
Materialistic
Isolated
Arrogant
Self-reliant
Not detailed
Impractical
Inflexible
Using the Administrator Gift
• Serve on the vision and direction committee
for the church or some ministry
• Be the chairperson of a committee or Deacon
ministry
• Organize the “ministry system” of the
congregation
• Research the demographics of the
community and develop an outreach plan
• Develop a plan for involving every member in
the area of their giftedness.