WEEK TWO – THE PERSON YOU WERE MEANT TO BE:
This session will help you understand the Discipleship Pathway, understanding the ways God has uniquely created you and crafted your personality, along with your spiritual gifts he has given you to help reveal the path to your greatest impact.
“Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” Colossians 2:6-7
Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1
the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked. 1 John 2:6
so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; Colossians 1:10
so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. 1 Thessalonians 2:12
WORTHY WALKING:
God has created you with a distinct personality and placed within you unique passions, interests, abilities, and gifts. As a part of the body of Christ, we all have a part to play; a specific calling God has placed on our lives.
“Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,” – Ephesians 4:1
But you cannot walk worthy if you do not understand that calling from God.
We want to help you better understand your unique giftedness, both on a personal and spiritual level, so that you can know your “worthy walk” as you follow Jesus.
“I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well.“ – Psalm 139:14
TYPES AND LISTS OF GIFTS:
* Motivational Gifts – Romans 12
* Ministry Gifts – Ephesians 4
* Manifestation Gifts – 1 Corinthians 12
* Miscellaneous Gifts
Motivational Gifts: – Primarily Romans 12. These gifts get at the heart of who we are in Christ, recognizes our raw material and why we do certain functions with ease and effectiveness, yet we struggle to serve in other areas.
Prophecy—the gift of prophecy is the divine strength or ability to boldly speak and bring clarity to biblical and doctrinal truth. (Romans 12:6, Acts 2:37-40, 7:51-53, 26:24-29, 1 Corinthians 14:1-4, 1 Thessalonians 1:5)
Service—the gift of serving is the divine strength or ability to do small or great tasks in working for the overall good of the body of Christ. (Romans 12:6, Acts 6:1-7, Galatians 6:10, 1 Timothy 1:16-18, Titus 3:14).
Teaching—the gift of teaching is the divine strength or ability to study and learn from the Bible, primarily to bring understanding and depth to other Christians. (Romans 12:7, Acts 18:24-28, 20:20-21, 1 Corinthians 12:28, Ephesians 4:11-14)
Exhortation—the gift of exhortation is the divine strength or ability to encourage others through the written or spoken word and biblical truth, whereby the Spirit enables certain Christians to stand beside fellow Christians in need and bring comfort, counsel, and encouragement. (Romans 12:8, Acts 11:23-24, Acts 14:21-22, 1 Timothy 4:13, Hebrews 10:24-25).
Giving—the gift of giving is the divine strength or ability to produce wealth and to give resources for the advancement of God’s kingdom on earth, whereby the Spirit enables one to offer their material blessings for the work of the church with exceptional willingness, cheerfulness, and liberality. (Romans 12:8, Mark 12:41-44, 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, 9:2-7).
Leadership—the gift of leadership (or administration) is the divine strength or ability to influence people at their level, while directing and focusing them on the big picture, vision, or idea, directing and inspiring God’s people in such a way that they voluntarily and harmoniously work together to do the church’s work effectively. (Luke 14:28-30, Romans 12:8, 1 Timothy 3:1-13, 5:17, Hebrews 13:7, 17).
Mercy—the gift of mercy is the divine strength or ability to feel empathy for others and care for those who are hurting or suffering so that they devote large amounts of time and energy to alleviate it. (Romans 12:8, Matthew 9:35-36, Mark 9:41, Luke 10:30-37, 1 Thessalonians 5:14).
Ministry Gifts: – Primarily found in Ephesians 4. Any motivational gift can be expressed in a particular ministry.
Apostle—the gift of apostle is the divine strength or ability to pioneer new work for the kingdom, beginning new churches, classes, or ministries. (Ephesians 4:11, Acts 15:22-35, 12:1-5, Acts 14:21-23, 1 Corinthians 12:28, 2 Corinthians 12:12, Galatians 2:7).
Prophet—the gift of prophet is the divine strength or ability to interpret and apply God’s truth in a given situation. (Ephesians 4:11, Acts 2:37-40, 7:51-53, 26:24-29, 1 Corinthians 14.1-5, 1 Corinthians 14:30-33, 1 Corinthians 14:37-40).
Evangelist—the gift of evangelism is the divine strength or ability to help non-Christians take the necessary steps toward becoming a born again disciple of the Lord Jesus. (Ephesians 4:11, Acts 8.5-6, 26-40, 14:21, 21:8).
Pastor—the gift of pastor (or shepherd) is the divine strength or ability to care for the personal and spiritual needs of others by nurturing and leading them, whereby assuming responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a group of believers. (Ephesians 4:11, John 10:1-18, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Peter 5.1-11).
Teacher—the gift or teacher is the divine strength or ability to communicate the truths of God’s Word so that others can learn. (Ephesians 4:11, Acts 18:24-28, 20:20-21, Hebrews 5:12-14, Matthew 10:25).
Manifestation Gifts: – These gifts are the signs and wonders type gifts primarily found in 1 Corinthians 12. They are given in order for the Christian to perform a certain ministry and is given by the Spirit as he sees that this gift is necessary to fulfill a particular ministry; each believer is given a gift for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). There is debate on whether some gifts continued or ceased after the apostolic age.
Wisdom—the gift of wisdom is the divine strength or ability to apply the truths of Scripture in a practical way, producing the fruitful outcome and character of Jesus, understanding God’s will and work as it relates to the living of life. (1 Corinthians 12:8, Acts 6:3, 10, James 3:13-17).
Knowledge—the gift of knowledge is the divine strength or ability to bring clarity and to understand situations and circumstances, often accompanied by a word from God, whereby Christians understand in an exceptional way the great truths of God’s Word and to make them relevant in specific situations in the church. (1 Corinthians 12:8, Acts 5:1-11, Colossians 2:2-3, Ephesians 3:14-19).
Faith—the gift of faith is the divine strength or ability to believe God for unseen supernatural results in every arena of life, whereby the Spirit provides Christians with extraordinary confidence in God’s promises, power, and presence so that they can take heroic stands for the future of God’s work in the church. (1 Corinthians 12:9, Acts 11:22-24, Romans 4:18-21, Hebrews 11).
Healing—the gift of healing is the divine strength or ability to act as an intermediary in faith, prayer, and by the laying on of hands for the healing of physical and mental illness, whereby the Spirit employs certain Christians to restore health to the sick. (1 Corinthians 12:9, 28, James 5:13-16, Luke 9:1-2, Acts 3:1-10, 9:32-35, 28:7-10).
Miracles—the gift of miracles is the divine strength or ability to alter the natural outcomes of life in a supernatural way through prayer, faith, and divine direction. (1 Corinthians 12:10, 28, Acts 9:36-42, 19:11-12, 20:7-12, Romans 15:18-19).
Discernment—the gift of discernment is the divine strength or ability to identify falsehood and to distinguish between right and wrong motives and situations, to know with assurance whether some behavior is of God or of Satan. (1 Corinthians 12:10, Acts 5:1-11, 16:16-18, 1 John 4:1-6).
Tongues (and Interpretation) – the gift of tongues is the divine strength or ability to pray in a heavenly language to encourage your spirit and to commune with God. This gift must be accompanied by interpretation and should be used appropriately. (1 Corinthians 12:10, 14:1-14, Acts 2:1-13)
Miscellaneous Gifts: — These gifts are found throughout the Bible whereby God gifts individuals for a particular task, also embracing the Christian’s personality and calling.
Intercession—the gift of intercession is the divine strength or ability to stand in the gap in prayer for someone, something, or someplace believing for profound results, praying for extended periods of time with great positive effect for the building of the Kingdom. (1 Thessalonians 3:10-13, 1 Timothy 2:1-2, Hebrews 7:25, Colossians 1:9-12, 4:12-13, James 5:14-16).
Missionary—the gift of missionary is the divine strength or ability to reach others outside of one’s own culture and nationality, whereby certain members of the body of Christ exercise whatever other spiritual gifts they have in a cross-cultural setting or second community. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
Craftsmanship—the gift of craftsmanship is the divine strength or ability to plan, build, and work with your hands in constructive environments to build up the Kingdom through artistic and creative means. (Exodus 28:3-4, 30:22, 31:3-11, 2 Chronicles 34:9-13, Acts 18:2-3).
Hospitality—the gift of hospitality is the divine strength or ability to create warm, welcoming environments for others in places such as your home, office, or church. (Genesis 18:1-15, Acts 16:14-15, Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:1-2, 1 Peter 4:9).
Music—the gift of music (or worship) is the divine strength or ability to sing, dance, or play an instrument primarily for the purpose of enhancing the worship experience and helping others to worship God. (1 Corinthians 14.26, Deuteronomy 31:22, 1 Samuel 16:16, 1 Chronicles 16:41-42, 2 Chronicles 5:12-13, 34:12, Psalm 150:1-6).
YOUR NEXT STEPS:
1. Discover who you are and who you were born to be! Review your personality and gift inventories.
2. Participate in week three and expect to interact with ministry team leaders to find your place of service at King’s Grant. Do not sit on the sidelines, you were created to play in the game… so come to practices, dress out on games day, and play your position to make an impact for God’s Kingdom, in this fallen world.
3. Continue preparing, writing, and practicing your personal testimony.
4. Continue seeking ways to exercise your gifts and abilities in service to others for the glory of God.