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How to Find My Gifts

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 faith God has distributed to each of you. 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 each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. ROMANS 12:3-8 NIV

In order to find my gifts, I need to…

Work with where I am: In Christ

Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. ROMANS 12:3B NIV

Work with who I have: A spiritual family

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. ROMANS 12:4-5 NIV

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters… ROMANS 12:1a NIV

 

While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.” He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” MATTHEW 12:46-50 NIV

The church lives as a family and functions as a body

God’s family is interdependent on each other

Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. If they were all one part, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, but one body. 1 CORINTHIANS 12:15-20 NIV

Work with what God has given me: Spiritual gifts  

We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. ROMANS 12:6-8 NIV

How do I discover my gifts?

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Take a moment to quiet all distractions. Invite God to search your heart and ask him if there is anything you need to hear from him or be revealed in you. Even if you do not know what your spiritual gifts are, begin by acknowledging and thanking God for creating and gifting you in a unique way to be a part of the body of Christ. Next, allow your mind to reflect on the message. Of the three gifts: speaking, leading and serving, which do you feel pulled toward? Ask God to stir inside you as you think about each one, listen for his voice. Remember that God created you for the purpose of growing his kingdom and he has gifted you accordingly. Ask God to reveal things you enjoy and how they can be used for his glory. Ask him to remind you of things you have done that have glorified him in the past. Are there any people in your life you could ask about your strengths or ways you could be utilizing them better? Ask God if there are opportunities to be used that you have been missing. Ask God where you might need to step out in faith and try something new. Close your time in prayer and commit to opening your heart to opportunities for God to use your gifts to further his purpose for you. 

Discussion Questions

  1. What have you been learning about yourself, God or others in your personal Bible reading time? What stood out to you this week?
  2. When you hear the phrase “spiritual gifts,” what feelings, thoughts or experiences jump into your mind and why do you think that is?
  3. Read Romans 12:3. If we think about our journey with Jesus in terms of life stages (childhood, teenage, young adult, adult, middle age, senior, etc.), where do you think you really are at in your journey and what makes you think so?
  4. Continue reading Romans 12:4-5. In what practical ways have you seen people with different gifts work together to achieve something beyond themselves?
  5. Continue Reading Romans 12:6-8. As you look at the list in this passage, what gifts do you think God has given you and where are you using those gifts to advance God’s Kingdom and mission? Leaders Note: If someone is having difficulty or questioning their gifts, you can walk them through the “How do I discover my gifts” questions which are...Passion: What do you enjoy? Possibilities: What have you tried doing? People: What does your community say about your gifts?
  6. Read 1 Corinthians 12:15-20. In the same way that our body parts are interdependent upon each other, our church is interdependent upon you and your gifts. Where might you be able to use your unique gifts at Sandals Church and what can we do to help?