Scripture: Our Final Authority 

Scripture provides us with an abundance of information about the gifts of the Spirit. This does not mean, however, that all Christians see the gifts in the same way and find agreement on every point. There is still much for all of us to learn about the workings of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, you are encouraged to disagree in love and humility, “examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so” (Acts 17:11).

Gift-Oriented Service

Many Christians have never experienced the joy and excitement of discovering their gifts and using them in building up Christ’s church. It is our prayer that this study will be an introduction, not just to a new and interesting subject matter, but to a new and more effective way that you may serve the Lord with joy.

Six Foundational Truths

1. God has inspired and preserved the Scriptures by which He has revealed to us what He wants us to know and understand about spiritual gifts.
2. Though there is much that we do not understand about the workings of the Holy Spirit and the gifts He gives (Jn. 3:8), God invites us to search the Scriptures and to seek Him in prayer for new insights and power that will enable us to faithfully serve Him.
3. Every member of the body of Christ is important, and everyone’s gifts are needed in order for the body to function properly. Charles Spurgeon, the great nineteenth-century English preacher, spoke about the unity of the body when he referred to Christians as “living stones in the heavenly temple perfectly joined together with the vermilion (vivid red) cement of Christ’s blood.”
4. Once you discover, develop, and use your own spiritual gifts, you will be better equipped to help other Christians discover their gifts.
5. We bring pleasure to God and glorify Him when we discover and use our gifts under the direction and power of the Holy Spirit.
6. Spiritual gifts are literally (in the Greek language) “grace gifts,” freely bestowed by His grace upon unworthy sinners who have been saved by the Lord Jesus Christ and made worthy by His righteousness alone. This truth, once fully acknowledged and embraced, will help us all to labor in the kingdom with true humility.

Guidelines for Each Participant

1. You will get the most out of this study if you will take the time to study the Scriptures with this material and form your own convictions about spiritual gifts.
2. You are strongly encouraged to be present at each study as each new topic builds on the previous one. When you do have to miss, make every effort to study the material your group is discussing, so you will not fall behind.
3. Interaction and questions are encouraged in your group.
4. Pray for your mentor and the other group members who are seeking to learn more about the Holy Spirit and His gifts.
5. Make yourself available to others in your group who may need your encouragement and insight as they wrestle with their unique and special place in the body of Christ.

Content Downloads

This material was designed for group study with the idea that our gifts are not discovered in isolation, but in community. Once your small group is formed, each participant may download the appropriate section whenever convenient. If you are interested a self-study course, seeking the feedback and wise counsel of your closest friends should prove to be beneficial in discovering, developing, and using your spiritual gifts for the good of the Body.