February 2011

SPIRITUALGIFTS

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. Rom 12:4-5

Picture courtesy of www.lumaxart.com

Discovering and Using Our Spiritual Gifts Defining the Gifts

Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 1 Corinthians 12:1 These are just a suggestion as to how we might understand the gifts mentioned in this study. As you will realise, lists of gifts are almost by nature incomplete. The questionnaire we have used in this study tackles a large number of gifts but by no means all. The definitions given here are to be used as guides to what your results may mean rather than an authoritative definition! Please use this in the way it is intended, as a tool and a help. Do also feel welcome to speak to any of the staff or elders about your gifts and how you can best use them or how we, as leadership, can support you in using them. Our desire is that we at ICP should use Gods gifts for Gods glory.

We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. 2 Corinthians 4:7

Denitions of the gifts mentioned in this study

1. Apostle 2. Prophet 3. Evangelist Leadership. The gift of being able to take people along with you in your vision Being able to speak Gods word into specific situations. Forthtelling rather than foretelling Being able to bring people to a position of accepting Gods offer of salvation. This is not the ability to share the gospel - that is a command on all of us - but a specific facility in closing the deal!! The spiritual care for individuals. This isnt teaching, but the ability to help others grow in their faith. This may be on an individual or group basis. The ability to explain biblical truths Self-explanatory Being able to encourage people, lift them up and excite them. Ability to truly put into practice the principles of a godly life and to be able to advise others in this as well. Being able to quickly and easily grasp the meaning of spiritual and biblical truths Ability do see the practical things that need doing - and then doing them. Often unseen and unthanked! Assisting others in various tasks. Seeing the need in an emergency and stepping in. While an apostle leads in terms of vision. Someone with the gift of leadership is one who works in a team, delegating as well as doing, someone others will follow in a task.

4. Pastor

5. Teacher 6. Music 7. Exhortation 8. Wisdom 9. Knowledge 10. Serving 11. Helps 12. Leadership

13. Administration Organisation skills, planning etc 14. Giving 15. Mercy 16. Discernment 17. Faith 18. Hospitality Giving - money Showing compassion and brining comfort to those who are in emotional and physical distress The ability to know right from wrong easily, to tell the difference between truth and falsehood - also in terms of doctrine. Someone with a special gift of what we all have (!) which allows them to see the spiritual potential in any given situation. Feed me!!!

19. Craftsmanship Craftsmanship

20. Intercession 21. Healing 22. Missionary

Prayer is not only a joy but something where this person often sees real, tangible, amazing results. The ability to put in the hours. God brings healing - physical and mental - through this persons actions and prayer. Someone who is equipped to bring the gospel in a cross-cultural environment.

My Comments

International Church of Prague

Box 91, IBTS, Nad Habrovkou 3 Jenerlka, 164 00 Praha 6 (420) 296 392 338 ofce@icprague.cz www.icprague.cz