Discovering and Understanding Your Spiritual Gifts: Session 1

Devotional

Day 1: Every Believer Has a Unique Spiritual Gift

God has given each person a spiritual gift, not just for their own benefit, but to serve others and administer His grace in various forms. These gifts are not earned or chosen, but graciously given by God, and every believer is called to discover, develop, and use their gift for the good of the body of Christ. Recognizing that you have a gift—no matter how ordinary or extraordinary it may seem—can be a powerful affirmation of your value and purpose in God’s kingdom. You are not meant to be a passive observer, but an active participant in God’s work, uniquely equipped to bless others. [06:01]

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV)
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.

Reflection: What is one way you can intentionally use your unique gift to serve someone in your church or community this week?

Day 2: Spiritual Gifts Are Diverse and Work Together for the Common Good

There are many different kinds of spiritual gifts, and they are distributed by the Holy Spirit for the benefit of all. No one person has every gift, and each gift is an expression of God’s presence and power working through His people. These gifts—whether wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, prophecy, or others—are not possessions to boast about, but manifestations of God’s Spirit meant to build up the church and meet the needs of others. When we embrace the diversity of gifts, we see how much we need one another and how God’s work is accomplished through our unity and cooperation. [09:36]

1 Corinthians 12:7-11 (ESV)
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Reflection: Who in your life has a different spiritual gift than you, and how can you partner with them to serve others more effectively?

Day 3: God Appoints Roles in the Church to Build Up the Body

God has given specific ministry gifts—such as apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—to equip His people for works of service and to build up the body of Christ. These roles are not for personal status, but for preparing others to serve, fostering unity, and helping the church grow in maturity and faith. Not everyone is called to these roles, but all are impacted by their ministry, and together we reach the fullness of Christ. Recognizing and honoring these roles helps us appreciate the different ways God leads and grows His people. [17:09]

Ephesians 4:11-13 (ESV)
And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Reflection: Is there a leader or teacher in your life who has helped you grow spiritually? How can you encourage or support them this week?

Day 4: Motivational Gifts Are Woven into Our DNA and Life Experience

The motivational gifts—such as perceiving, serving, teaching, encouraging, giving, leading, and showing mercy—are deeply embedded in who we are, often evident from a young age and shaped by our life experiences. These gifts are not just for church activities, but are meant to be lived out in every area of life, blessing others and glorifying God. Recognizing your motivational gift can bring clarity, direction, and validation, helping you understand how God has uniquely formed you for His purposes. Even our natural abilities and passions are part of God’s design, and He desires to use every part of our story for His glory. [29:45]

Romans 12:6-8 (ESV)
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Reflection: Looking back on your life, what natural tendencies or passions might point to your motivational gift, and how could you use them more intentionally for God’s purposes?

Day 5: Spiritual Gifts Are Meant to Be Developed and Used, Not Neglected

God calls us not to neglect the gifts He has given, but to “fan into flame” and develop them through use, practice, and stepping out in faith. Just as a tool or talent left unused becomes rusty and ineffective, so our gifts can fade if we ignore them. Growth often comes through taking risks, serving in new ways, and allowing God to stretch us beyond our comfort zones. As we use our gifts, we not only bless others but also experience personal growth and deeper joy in our walk with God. No matter your age or stage of life, it’s never too late to discover, develop, and use your gift for God’s glory. [34:52]

2 Timothy 1:6 (ESV)
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

Reflection: What is one step you can take this week to develop or use your spiritual gift in a new or deeper way?

Sermon Summary

Thank you all for being here and for your openness to this journey of discovering how God has uniquely shaped each of us. Over the next three weeks, we’re diving into what it means to understand and use our spiritual gifts—not just as a checklist item, but as a way to live out our faith in a way that brings life, purpose, and blessing to others. Tonight, we focused on a scriptural overview of spiritual gifts, why God gives them, and how they fit into the bigger picture of our lives and our church’s mission.

We started by looking at the acronym S.H.A.P.E.—Spiritual gifts, Heart (passion), Abilities, Personality, and Experiences. All these elements work together to form who we are and how God wants to use us. While our main focus is on spiritual gifts, it’s important to remember that God uses every part of our story, even our pain and our quirks, for His glory and the good of others.

Scripture teaches that every believer has at least one spiritual gift (1 Peter 4:10), and these gifts are not just for our own benefit but to serve others and build up the body of Christ. We explored the three main categories of gifts in the New Testament: manifestation gifts (the dynamic, Spirit-empowered expressions like healing or prophecy), ministry gifts (roles like pastor, teacher, evangelist), and motivational gifts (the core, God-given drives that shape how we serve). The motivational gifts, found in Romans 12, are the focus of our assessment and discussion: perceiver, server, teacher, encourager, giver, administrator, and compassion.

It’s crucial to understand that these gifts are not about status or comparison. They’re about discovering what energizes us, what comes naturally, and how we can use that for God’s purposes. Our gifts are woven into our DNA, present from birth, but they come alive in new ways when surrendered to Christ. Recognizing our own gift helps us appreciate the gifts in others, avoid unnecessary friction, and work together more effectively as a church family.

As we move forward, the goal is not just to identify our gifts but to develop them, use them, and let them shape our relationships, our work, and our service. Whether you’re discovering something new or finding validation for what you’ve always sensed, my prayer is that this process will energize and motivate you to step more fully into God’s calling for your life.

Key Takeaways

1. Spiritual gifts are not just talents or skills, but God-given capacities that are meant to be used for the benefit of others and the building up of the church. They are distinct from our natural abilities and are distributed by the Holy Spirit to every believer, regardless of background or personality. Recognizing this helps us move from passive church attendance to active participation in God’s mission. [07:50]
2. The three categories of gifts—manifestation, ministry, and motivational—each serve a unique purpose in the body of Christ. Manifestation gifts are Spirit-empowered expressions for specific moments, ministry gifts are roles for equipping the church, and motivational gifts are the core drives that shape how we serve. Understanding these distinctions prevents confusion and helps us honor the diversity of God’s work among us. [15:53]
3. Our spiritual gifts are woven into our very being, present from birth, but they are transformed and empowered when surrendered to Christ. Even pre-Christian passions and abilities can be redirected for God’s glory, as seen in the life of Paul. This means our past, including our pain and failures, can be redeemed and used as part of our unique contribution to God’s kingdom. [30:27]
4. Using our gifts is not about self-fulfillment or personal achievement, but about blessing others and advancing God’s purposes. When we neglect or “shelve” our gifts, we not only miss out on joy and growth, but the church also suffers from what we withhold. God calls us to “fan into flame” the gifts He’s given, stepping out in faith even when it feels awkward or costly. [34:52]
5. Our gifts shape our perspective and can sometimes create blind spots or friction with others who are differently gifted. Recognizing this helps us appreciate the strengths and weaknesses in ourselves and others, fostering humility, patience, and teamwork. The diversity of gifts is by God’s design, so that together we reflect the fullness of Christ and accomplish more than we ever could alone. [36:52]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:29] - Introduction to S.H.A.P.E. and Spiritual Gifts
[01:46] - Spiritual Gift Assessments: Past Experiences
[02:59] - Breaking Down S.H.A.P.E.: Heart, Abilities, Personality, Experiences
[04:49] - Repurposing Our Rhythms for God’s Mission
[06:01] - Scriptural Overview: Do I Have a Gift?
[07:50] - Three Categories of Spiritual Gifts
[09:36] - Manifestation Gifts Explained
[12:06] - Examples of Manifestation Gifts
[15:53] - Ministry Gifts and Their Purpose
[19:36] - Motivational Gifts: Romans 12
[21:26] - Describing the Seven Motivational Gifts
[29:45] - Gifts Formed in Us from Birth
[33:38] - Using Gifts to Bless Others
[34:52] - Stirring Up and Developing Our Gifts
[36:52] - How Gifts Shape Our Perspective
[38:49] - The Significance of Seven Gifts
[40:48] - Group Discussion and Assessment Instructions
[45:08] - Next Steps and Closing Prayer

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

1 Peter 4:10 (ESV) — > As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace.

Romans 12:6-8 (ESV) — > Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

1 Corinthians 12:4-7 (ESV) — > Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.

Observation Questions

According to 1 Peter 4:10, what is the purpose of the gifts God gives to each believer?
In Romans 12:6-8, what are the seven motivational gifts Paul lists, and how does he encourage believers to use them?
The sermon described three categories of spiritual gifts: manifestation, ministry, and motivational gifts. What is the main difference between these categories? ([07:50])
How does 1 Corinthians 12:4-7 describe the source and purpose of spiritual gifts in the church?

Interpretation Questions

The sermon emphasized that spiritual gifts are not just natural talents or skills. What does it mean that these gifts are “God-given capacities” and how does that change the way we view our abilities? ([07:50])
Why is it important to recognize that every believer has at least one spiritual gift, regardless of their background or personality? How might this truth affect someone who feels like they don’t have much to offer? ([06:01])
The speaker mentioned that our gifts are “woven into our DNA, present from birth, but they come alive in new ways when surrendered to Christ.” How does this idea help us understand the relationship between our past experiences and our spiritual gifts? ([30:27])
The sermon warned against comparing our gifts to others or using them for self-fulfillment. What are some dangers of comparison, and how can focusing on serving others help us avoid them? ([34:52])

Application Questions

The S.H.A.P.E. acronym includes Spiritual gifts, Heart (passion), Abilities, Personality, and Experiences. Which of these areas do you feel most confident in, and which do you find hardest to see God using? How might you invite God to use even your pain or quirks for His glory? ([04:12])
Think about the seven motivational gifts from Romans 12 (perceiver, server, teacher, encourager, giver, administrator, compassion). Which one do you most identify with, and how have you seen it show up in your life—even before you were a Christian, if applicable? ([20:51])
The sermon said that when we “shelve” or neglect our gifts, both we and the church miss out. Is there a gift or passion you’ve set aside or ignored? What is one step you could take this week to “fan into flame” that gift? ([34:52])
Our gifts can sometimes create blind spots or friction with others who are differently gifted. Can you think of a time when your gift clashed with someone else’s? How could understanding each other’s gifts help your relationships at church, at home, or at work? ([36:52])
The speaker shared that discovering your gift can be a “light bulb” or a “validation” moment. Are you hoping for a new discovery or for confirmation of what you already sense? How can you invite God to speak to you during this process? ([23:19])
The sermon encouraged us to move from passive church attendance to active participation in God’s mission. What is one way you could use your gift to serve others in the church or community this month? ([07:50])
The diversity of gifts is by God’s design so that together we reflect the fullness of Christ. How can you celebrate and encourage the gifts you see in others, especially those that are different from your own? ([36:52])

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

What is the purpose of spiritual gifts in believers?

How do motivational gifts influence Christian service and growth?

What biblical examples illustrate the use of spiritual gifts?