Transcript Spiritual Gifts Powerpo - Central Church of Christ
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
Non Verbal Gifts
Servant Mercy-shower Encourager Soul-winner 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 test tube
•
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 –
who I am.” “This absolutely describes me; this is
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 “third party 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 Vision Courage Adaptability Sacrificial Independent Confident Promotional Result-oriented
• • • • • • • •
WEAKNESSES Unrealistic Self-reliant Demanding Unsympathetic Loner Proud Competitive Unspiritual
Using the Missionary Gift
• 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 Outgoing People person Verbal Redemptive Passionate Focused Motivated Confident
• • • • • • • •
WEAKNESSES Overbearing Undisciplined Not a listener Not pastoral Impulsive Intolerant Critical Enjoys attentio n
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 Objective Convicted Decisive Disciplined Authoritative Articulate Logical Goal-oriented
• • • • • • • •
WEAKNESSES 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 Knowledgeable Studious Thorough Creative Organized Precise Self-disciplined Analytical
• • • • • • • •
WEAKNESSES 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: T he practical motivator who urges others to a course of action
• • • • • • • •
STRENGTHS Practical Persuasive Creative Sympathetic Demonstrative Optimistic Enthusiastic Motivating
• • • • • • • •
WEAKNESSES 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 Patient Personable Responsible Caring Peacemaker Sacrificial Faithful Competent
• • • • • • • •
WEAKNESSES 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 Sensitive Sympathetic Caring Expressive Accepting Patient Peaceable
• • • • • • •
WEAKNESSES 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 Skilled Responsive Task-oriented Loyal Methodical Humble Likeable Patient
• • • • • • • •
WEAKNESSES 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 Motivated Organized Helpful Disciplined Generous Conscientious Positive Decisive
• • • • • • • •
WEAKNESSES 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 Task-oriented Efficient Individualistic Ingenious Strong Visionary Goal-minded Methodical
• • • • • • • •
WEAKNESSES 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.