Spiritual Gifts

God gives each woman a unique set of gifts to use in service for Him and others. When you decide to commit your life to God, the first gift He gives you is salvation - eternal life through Jesus Christ.

Some spiritual gifts grow directly out of the natural talents we are born with and develop throughout life. While other gifts come unexpectedly as we open ourselves to the Holy Spirit's leading. We may find ourselves becoming "gifted" to serve in areas we would never considered ourselves talented or skilled.

Discovering the spiritual gifts God has given you, and learning how to use them is one of the most exciting adventures of the Christian life.

> Recognising Your Spiritual Gifts
> Examples of Spiritual Gifts
> Spiritual Gifts in the Bible

Recognising Your Spiritual Gifts

God offers us a wide variety of gifts through His Spirit - each suited to us as individuals, each enabling us to meet needs in the church and the world.

How can you find what your unique gifts are?

1. Pray. Open yourself to God's Spirit in prayer and ask Him to show you your gifts and to help you use them.
   
2. Jump In! Get involved in ministry and service. We learn what our gifts are in the process of using them. Even if you have no idea what your spiritual gifts are, find a need in you church or community and start working to meet it. Help out in a number of different positions to see where you are most effective
   
3. Reflect. When you have had some practice getting involved, serving God and others, think about what you have experienced. Ask yourself a few questions:
   
   • Which ministries/service did I enjoy most?
   • Where did I see positive results?
   • What do others see as my spiritual abilities?
   • What have I been asked to do again and again?
   • Which ministries/services match my temperament?Which of my everyday activities could have a spiritual application?
     
4. Use it! Once you have discovered your gift, it's time to put it into use. Developing your gifts will often mean taking risks and moving outside of your comfort zone. Trust God, and move forward!

Examples of Spiritual Gifts

Teaching: This gift is for more that just school teachers! If this is your gift, you have the ability to make Biblical truth plain for others. You may use your gift as a mentor, a Bible study teacher, a youth leader or a small-group Bible study facilitator. (link to bible study)

Evangelism: You may have the gift of sharing the gospel and leading people to commit their lives to Jesus. You may use this gift in preaching and public evangelism, personal ministries, in giving seminars, speaking for women's retreats or ministering in prison

Hospitality: Many women excel in this area! You may have the gift of reaching out to others, especially strangers, and opening your home to those who need food and a place to stay. It may also involve making people welcome and comfortable in your church. (link to recipes)

Intercession: Some women have the gift of being able to devote much time to p raying for others. A woman with this gift may pray quietly for others at home, or she may minister as a hospital visitor, an elder, or the leader of a prayer group. (link to how to start a prayer group)

Encouragement: Every church needs more encourages - women who can comfort, motivate and inspire others. An encourager may serve in counselling, women's ministries, youth ministry, prison ministry or hospital visitation.

Leadership: A leader can bring growth and harmony to a group or congregation. With this gift, you might serve as a pastor, elder, Bible Study leader, Youth Ministries or Women's Ministries leader.

Spiritual Gifts in the Bible

There are different kinds of gifts, all given by the same Spirit
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11):

1. Message of wisdom
2. Message of knowledge
3. Faith
4. Gifts of healing
5. Miraculous powers
6. Prophecy
7. Distinguishing between spirits
8. Speaking in different languages
9. Interpretation of languages

All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and He gives them to each one, just as He determines.

• It was Jesus who gave
• Some to be apostles
• Some to be prophets
• Some to be evangelists
• And some to be pastors and teachers

To prepared God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. (Ephesians 4:11, 12)

We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us (Romans 12:6-8):

• Prophecy, in proportion to faith
• Ministry, in ministering
• The teacher, in teaching
• The exhorter, in exhortation
• The giver, in generosity
• The leader, in diligence
• The compassionate, in cheerfulness

Our motive for doing anything should be founded in love.