GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
1. APOSTLES (Eph. 4: 11) These are men gifted to lay foundations, to build the basic
support structure upon which the rest would be built. The primary work of an apostle was
to declare the whole body of truth concerning Jesus Christ. The apostolic gift is still being
given today, though in a secondary sense. It is the gift to start new churches-pioneer
missionary work.
2. PROPHETS (Eph. 4: 11) A Prophet is one who stands before and causes the Word of
God to shine. The prophet interprets the Word and explains the truth so that it becomes
very clear, vital and compelling. Often this gift reflects special insight into the truth and calls
men back to the obedience of faith. A prophet differs from a teacher in that he tends more
to deal with the great sweeping principles of Scripture and reality, leaving the development
of more specific areas to the teacher.
3. MIRACLES (I Cor. 12:10) This is the ability to short-circuit the processes of nature
by supernatural activity, as the Lord did when he turned water into wine. Some may still
have this gift today.
4. HEALINGS (I Cor. 12:9, 28,30) This gift can be exercised at every level of human
need: physical, emotional and spiritual. The spiritual gift of physical healing is not seen often
today. However, many Christians are equipped by the Spirit to help those with damaged
emotions and with bruised spirits. They make excellent counselors because they are able to
exercise the patience and compassion necessary to help such wounded souls.
5. TONGUES (I Cor. 12:10,14) This is capacity to publicly praise God in a known
language, which has never been learned. It was intended as a sign to unbelievers. The gifts
of physical healing, miracles and tongues are given for the initial building up of faith, as a
bridge to move Christians on from dependence upon things they can see to faith in a God
who can work and accomplish much when nothing seems to be happening.
6. INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES (I Cor. 12: 10) The supernatural capacity to
interpret a language never learned.
7. PASTOR-TEACHERS (Eph. 4: 11) This is one who shepherds God's flock, caring for
the sheep, feeding, guiding, protecting and helping to keep them fit and healthy. He does all
this by studying the Word of God and feeding it to the sheep.
8. TEACHERS (Rom. 12:7; 1 Cor. 12:28) A pastor is also a teacher, but a teacher is
not necessarily also a pastor. A number of factors would show that a person has the gift of
teacher. He would have a great interest in the Word of God and would commit himself to
disciplined study of the Word. He would have an ability to communicate the Word of God
clearly and apply the Word to the lives of the people.
9. SERVICE (Rom. 12:7) This is one of the greatest and most widespread of the gifts.
It is the ability to lend a hand wherever a need appears, but to do it in such a way that it
strengthens and encourages others spiritually. The exercise of this gift makes possible the
ministry of the other, more evident, gifts.
10. HELPS (1 Cor. 12:28) The word "helps" denotes "helpful deeds, assistance. The
basic meaning of the word is an undertaking on behalf of another." The word is similar to
serving and some see these gifts as identical. Certainly they are quite similar if not the same.
11. FAITH (I Cor. 12:9) It might better be called the gift of vision. It is the ability to see
something that needs to be done and to believe that God will do it even though it looks
impossible.
12. EXHORTATION (Rom. 12:8) Those who have this gift are able to inspire others to
action, awake a renewed spiritual interest, or steady those who are buffeted or faltering.
13. DISCERNMENT OF SPIRITS (I Cor. 12: 10) This is the ability to distinguish
between the spirit of error and the spirit of truth before the difference is clearly evident to
everyone else.
14. MERCY (Rom. 12:8) Its distinctiveness is indicated by the word "mercy." Mercy is
undeserved aid, aid given to those who often revolt others-the deformed, the smelly, the
unpleasing. It differs from the gift of helps by being directed to the undeserving, regardless
of their condition.
15. GIVING (Rom. 12:8) It is the ability to earn and give money for the advancement of
God's work and to do so with such wisdom and cheerfulness that the recipients are
immeasurably strengthened and blessed by the transaction.
16. ADMINISTRATION (I Cor. 12:28) The ability to organize and administrate in such
a way that is spiritually uplifting to others.
17. WISDOM (I Cor. 12:8) The gift of wisdom is the ability to apply insights perceived
from the Scriptures (see Knowledge) to a specific situation. It is wisdom that is capable of
putting knowledge to work.
18. KNOWLEDGE (I Cor. 12:8) The gift of knowledge is the ability to perceive and
systematize the great facts that God has hidden in His Word. A person exercising this gift
is able to recognize the key and important facts of Scripture as a result of investigation.
Often the gift of knowledge and the gift of wisdom appear together in a single individual.
19. EVANGELISTS (Eph. 4: 11) These are the men and women with a special gift of
communicating the gospel in relevant terms to non-Christians with convicting power. Their
task is to tell of the overwhelming grace of God and the overpowering love of a heavenly
Father who is calling men back to Him.
20. LEADERSHIP (Rom. 12:8) This gift is clearly evidenced in emceeing meetings,
conducting panels, chairing, organizations, etc. but especially by doing so in a way which
helps others spiritually.
A GUIDE FOR DISCERNING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFT
After answering each question, the gifts with the most “yes” answers may be your gift.
Find an area of service and make a plan to exercise that gift
TEACHING
Yes No
1. Do you enjoy public speaking to a group?
2. Do you like to prove and validate an issue?
3. Do you organize your thoughts in a systematic way?
4. Does the study of God's Word come easy to you?
5. When you hear a question or problem, are you anxious to both find and give an answer?
6. Would you enjoy teaching whenever possible?
7. Do you find it easy to explain things to people?
8. Do people come to you often, seeking your understanding or answers to specific
questions or problems?
9. Do you have a personal desire to teach that you have felt for a long time?
10. Have other people ever told you that you ought to be teaching on a regular basis?
Areas of Service: preaching, teaching adult Sunday School, children’s Sunday School,
Children’s Worship, Jr. High/Sr. High teacher, AWANA Council Time, Bible Study teacher,
mentor,
SERVING
Yes No
1. Do you find yourself alert to practical needs of others?
2. When you hear of a job that needs to be done, are you anxious to do it?
3. Are you always looking for jobs to do and to get done?
4. When you do a job, do you usually expect appreciation for it?
5. When anyone asks a favor of you, do you find it hard to say no?
6. Do you especially enjoy doing things that no one else will do?
7. Are you never hesitant to do something until you are asked?
8. When asked to do a job, do you never feel obligated or pressured?
9. Do you find a personal joy and satisfaction in doing things to make others happy, or
efficient, or admired?
10. When a "small task" is not done, do you find that this bothers you a lot, and you can't
wait to get it done even though you may not be responsible for it?
Areas of Service: deaconess, hospitality, special church projects, usher, lawn or facility
care/upkeep, set up/clean up after events
EXHORTATION
Yes No
1. Do you enjoy sharing the personal problems of someone else?
2. Do you continually seek out people who are having personal problems in order to help
them?
3. Do you sense a lot of love for people having personal problems?
4. Would you rather talk to someone having problems instead of sending them to someone
else for help?
5. Does not bother you to deal with people who are depressed?
6. Do you really get a lot of joy in encouraging people who are going through personal
problems and trials?
7. Do you find that you are a good and patient listener?
8. Do you seek to have others tell you their problems, rather than tell them yours?
9. Have people often expressed to you how much you have helped or encouraged them in
time of need?
10. When you hear of some believer who has "sinned" or "fallen away" are you anxious to
go to them and try to help them?
Areas of Service: counseling, mentoring, encouragement through cards/calls, anonymous
“stretch” gifts
SHOWING MERCY
Yes No
1. Do you enjoy visiting those who are sick or disabled?
2. When hearing of someone in the hospital, does it challenge you to bring them some
encouragement and cheer?
3. Do you feel a lot of compassion upon those who are suffering?
4. Do you think of ways to minister and help those who are suffering?
5. If possible, would you like to be a doctor or nurse?
6. Have you ever felt a special ministry toward the sick and suffering that has been
expressed to you by way of appreciation?
7. Would you really like a regular ministry to the sick and shut in?
8. When you meet someone who is suffering and they share it with you do you immediately
seek to make them happy and cheerful?
9. Are you patient to spend time with someone who is suffering rather than wanting to
leave as soon as you can?
10. Are you willing and eager to spend time, money, and resources to help those who are
in physical need?
Areas of Service: visiting guests, shut-ins, the sick; counseling,
RULING (of people)
Yes No
1. If you had the opportunity, would you like to be the boss where you work, or the
"president" of some company?
2. Do you like the responsibility of making decisions?
3. Do you prefer to give instructions to others rather then being responsible for following
them?
4. Do you enjoy the work of planning and giving direction to others?
5. Is it easy for you to make decisions quickly?
6. Do you handle problems with ease and personal joy?
7. Do you usually take the leadership in a group where none exists?
6. Can you take and appreciate pressure from others when they conflict with what you are
planning or organizing?
9. Do you have discernment of people's needs, goals, and desires, and of the plans
necessary to accomplish them?
10. Do you enjoy motivating others to do a particular job?
11. When asked to do a particular job, do you sense the need of specific direction in doing
it?
Areas of Service: deacon, deaconess
GIVING
Yes No
1. Do you find it easy to give your money or possessions to others without thought of
what you will receive in return?
2. When you give to people or projects, do you always desire to avoid publicity or letting
anyone know you did it?
3. Do you look for opportunities to give without hearing any appeals?
4. Do you enjoy giving as a habit of life, regardless of the response of the one to whom
you give?
5. When you hear of someone in need, do you immediately think of sending them some
money?
6. Do you usually give without taking a lot of time and planning before you give?
7. When you give, are you unconcerned about whether you can afford it?
8. Are you really thrilled when someone asks you to help financially in some project, seeing
it as a great honor and privilege?
9. Are you not offended by financial appeals, either public or private?
10. As a rule are you not very careful about keeping records of what you have given?
Areas of Service: giving, gifts for personal needs
FAITH
Yes No
1. Would you rather bring your needs to God in prayer than in talking to others about
them?
2. Do you find yourself dreaming about things which God can accomplish if someone were
bold enough?
3. Do you find it fairly easy to trust God for your physical needs?
4. Do you find it easy to ask God unconditionally for things?
5. Do you find a secret satisfaction in seeing God answer prayer?
6. Do you see difficulties as opportunities for God to display His Glory?
7. When people come to you do you enjoy having them give you prayer requests?
8. Do you find that once you have a vision to a certain thing, you see it through until it is
accomplished?
9. Have you seen God answer prayers and work in great ways?
Areas of Service: prayer warrior, organizer of prayer groups for specific projects/needs.
WISDOM
Yes NO
1. Do you find it easy to reduce Biblical truths down to principles?
2. If there is a dispute among believers do you find yourself clarifying the issues and
reconciling the two sides?
3. Do you find it easy to clarify people's problems for them and to give them solutions?
4. Do you get impatient with people who do not get to the point quickly?
5. Do you find it easy to find Illustrations for truths which you want to communicate?
6. Do you find that people often come to you for solutions to problems?
Areas of Service: (see teaching and ruling above), counseling, mentoring,
KNOWLEDGE
Yes No
1. Do you find that you enjoy attacking Biblical problems and researching the issues?
2. Do you find that you can get so involved in the mechanics of research that you forget
about having to communicate it?
3. Do you especially enjoy reading scholarly works and debates on Biblical issues?
4. Do you enjoy defending your position on a theological or scholarly issue?
5. Do you find it difficult to communicate your excitement over some nugget of truth that
you have discovered in the Word?
6. If you had your preference would you enjoy being allowed to do research rather than
pastoral work?
Areas of Service: (see teaching above)
ADMINISTRATION (of things)
Yes No
1. Do you like to see things organized?
2. Do you like to see others organized?
3. Do you find yourself to be a disciplined person?
4. Do you find enjoyment in seeing the successful operation of an activity? (want to see
things run smoothly)
5. Do you find that you want a room to be neat and things in their place?
6. Do you like to help others organize themselves and their properties?
7. Do you find that you see past the surface of an activity to the broader picture of details
that makes everything fit together?
8. Do you find that you can see weaknesses in the organization of activities, ministries,
etc.?
9. Do you find yourself wanting time to be budgeted properly?
10. Are you basically a structured person?
Areas of Service: deacon, deaconess, Sunday school superintendent, Event coordinator,
office volunteer