Sunday School Lesson 25
Spiritual Gifts: Identification And Usage
MEMORY VERSE: “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” – 1 Peter 4:10
BIBLE PASSAGE: Romans 12:6-8 KJV
INTRODUCTION: It is definitely commendable for God’s children to desire to know the spiritual gifts given to them by the Holy Spirit for the purpose of service in the Church and glorify God in the world (2 Timothy 1:6). The existence of a gift is a call to exercise it. Therefore, Apostle Paul advised Timothy, “Neglect not the gift that is in you,” (1Timothy 4:14).
LESSON OUTLINES
- Identifying Your Spiritual Giftedness
- Effective Use Of Spiritual Gifts
1. IDENTIFYING YOUR SPIRITUAL GIFTEDNESS
Identifying your spiritual giftedness can be accomplished in various ways.
Effective fervent prayers is very vital because the One who knows exactly how you are spiritually gifted is the gift-giver Himself-the Holy Spirit. You can ask Him to show you how you are gifted in order to better use your spiritual gifts for His glory (Luke 11:9, 13). Confirmation from others also gives light to your spiritual giftedness. Other people who see you serving the Lord can often identify a spiritual gift in use that you might take for granted or not recognise (1 Timothy 4:14; 2 Timothy 1:5-6). In addition, you can carry out a self-test. There are questions you can ask yourself as pointers to your spiritual gift.
Questions like ‘what spiritual activity do l enjoy doing?”, “What ministry in my life is God blessing?”, “What is the Holy Spirit telling or prompting me to do? (Romans 12:5-8 ;1Corinthians 7:20,24).
2. EFFECTIVE USE OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS
Every Christian is given at least a gift at conversion (Ephesians 4:7). As you manage well your initial gift and as your ministry expands, you may ask God for other gifts under the direction and promptings of the Holy Spirit
(1 Corinthians 12:31,14:39). Every gifted person has a proper function in the body of Christ (the church). No gift is superior to others but gifts differ in function (1 Corinthians 12:20-25). No one believer has all the gifts (1 Corinthians 12:28-30), so we need one another.
Spiritual gifts are given to edify (build up) other believers (1 Corinthians 14:12; 26: Ephesians 4:12); to promote growth, unity and love (Ephesians 4:16); to assist in the care of one another (1 Corinthians 12:25; 1 Peter 4:10); and to glorify God, especially in the ministry of the Word (1 Peter 4:11).
CONCLUSION: Faithful utilisation of a gift brings increased effectiveness in the ministry, but failure to develop a gift curtails ministry.
QUESTIONS:
- In what ways can believers identify their spiritual gifts?
- How can believers put their spiritual giftedness into effective usage?
FURTHER READING:
Monday: 1 Corinthians 12:11 (KJV)
11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
Tuesday: 1 Timothy 4:14 (KJV)
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
Wednesday: 2 Timothy 1:6 (KJV)
6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.
Thursday: Ephesians 4:7 (KJV)
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Friday: 2 Timothy 4:5 (KJV)
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Saturday: Romans 12:7 (KJV)
7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;
Sunday: Colossians 4:17 (KJV)
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it.
Thank you!
It is very helpful