Spiritual Gifts Test

Spiritual Gifts?

Romans 12:6-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30; Ephesians 4:11; and 1 Peter 4:9-11 all mention the truth that God has given spiritual gifts through the Holy Spirit to His church, specifically equipping individual believers for their involvement in a local assembly.

Spiritual gifts do not mean that a particular area (such as mercy or exhortation) is the only thing a specific believer is able to do. To the contrary, the apostle Paul’s encouragement at the end of 1 Corinthians 12 is that believers would earnestly desire (“covet”) to include more gifts in their walk with the Lord and ministry to others!

Because these gifts are spiritual in nature (as opposed to physical or psychological), no simple test or survey could truly tell you how God has equipped you for your participation in His church, but tests like the one below can be helpful guides to show you specific areas of ministry that you might have a desire or abilities for.

Lastly, the best way to discover your spiritual gift(s) is to get involved! As you serve the Lord and others, you’ll begin to see some of the specific ways God has enabled and motivated you! You may also discover that others will begin to see your gifting(s) as well.

“When He ascended up on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men... for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
— Ephesians 4

A List of Some Spiritual Gifts

  • People with these types of giftings aid the body by leading and directing members to accomplish the goals and purposes of the church. They help motivate people to work together in unity. This enables the body to organize according to God-given purposes and long-term goals. Some people with these gifts work well with planning and preparation, while others excel in leading people in executing those plans.

  • People with gifts of discernment are able to apply biblical filters to various situations, and do a great job of knowing what’s right and wrong based on God’s Word.

  • Possessors of this gift encourage others to be involved in and enthusiastic about the work of the Lord. Believers with this gift are good counselors and encouragers and help motivate others to service.

  • Those with the gift of giving give freely and joyfully to the work and mission of the body. Cheerfulness, generosity, and liberality are characteristics of individuals with this gift.

  • Those with this gift have the ability to make visitors, guests, and strangers feel at ease. They often use their home to entertain guests. Persons with this gift are an invaluable asset in helping integrate new members into the body

  • Cheerful acts of compassion characterize those with the gift of mercy. Persons with this gift aid the body by empathizing with hurting members. They keep the body healthy and unified by keeping others aware of the needs within the church.

  • Those with a gifting in missions motivate the body to look beyond its walls in order to carry out the Great Commission. This gift closely overlaps with Giving, Prophecy, and Teaching, and could be a person who gives or prays sacrificially to missions, or someone who God calls to be a church planter or missionary.

  • Not to be confused with the “foretelling” of some of the Old Testament prophets, the gift of prophecy is the “forthtelling” of God’s message to His people. Those with this gift have a burden to communicate God’s truth to others, even if it’s unpopular or unwanted. This particular type of gifting can also be seen in those who have a special desire and ability to see the unsaved accept the Gospel.

  • Those with the gift of service/helps recognize practical needs in the body and joyfully give assistance to meeting those needs. Christians with this gift do not mind working behind the scenes.

  • Teaching is instructing members in the truths and doctrines of God’s Word for the purposes of building up, unifying, and maturing the body. It is the God-given ability to learn, know, and explain the precious truths of Scripture. Some people with this gift might work well at teaching large groups of people, while others are particularly gifted at discipling in a small setting. Others, such as commentators, translators, or curriculum writers, are specifically skilled at in-depth Bible study that helps other believers.