Level 5: Serve and Share — Purpose and Evangelism
Lesson 3: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts
God gives spiritual gifts to equip and empower individuals to serve others, build unity within the community, and ultimately bring glory to Him.
Focus
Understanding the purpose of why spiritual gifts are given by God.
In Lesson 2, we learned about serving others with the heart of Christ. Christlike service flows from humility, love, compassion, and a desire to honor God rather than seek recognition.
In this lesson, we focus on discovering and using your spiritual gifts. God has not called believers to sit on the sidelines. He gives gifts, abilities, grace, and opportunities so that His people can serve one another and strengthen the body of Christ.
Spiritual gifts are not given for pride, comparison, or personal attention. They are given to glorify God and bless others.
Key Scriptures
“Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.”
Romans 12:6, NKJV
“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 12:4, NKJV
“But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all.”
1 Corinthians 12:7, NKJV
“As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”
1 Peter 4:10, NKJV
“For the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ.”
Ephesians 4:12, NKJV
Core Teaching
Every believer has something to contribute to the body of Christ. God does not give spiritual gifts only to pastors, preachers, teachers, worship leaders, or people with public platforms. He gives gifts to His people so they can serve, encourage, strengthen, and build up others.
Romans 12:6 says, “Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them.” This verse teaches that gifts differ from person to person. Not every believer serves in the same way, and not every gift looks the same.
Some people are gifted to teach. Others encourage. Some serve quietly. Others lead, give, organize, show mercy, pray, help, counsel, create, evangelize, or strengthen others through wisdom and compassion. Different gifts do not mean different value. Every gift matters when it is surrendered to God.
1 Corinthians 12:4 reminds us that there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. This means spiritual gifts are not meant to create competition. They are meant to show the varied work of the Holy Spirit through the people of God.
Comparison can keep believers from using what God has placed in them. A person may think, “My gift is not as visible,” “I cannot do what they do,” or “What I offer does not matter.” But God does not ask you to imitate someone else’s assignment. He calls you to faithfully steward what He has given you.
1 Corinthians 12:7 says that the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one “for the profit of all.” This teaches us the purpose of spiritual gifts. Gifts are not given only for personal fulfillment. They are given for the benefit of others.
A spiritual gift becomes fruitful when it is used in love. Without love, gifts can become a source of pride, control, attention, or division. But when gifts are used with humility and compassion, they become channels through which God strengthens His people.
1 Peter 4:10 tells believers to minister their gifts to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. A steward does not own what has been entrusted to them; they manage it faithfully for the owner’s purposes. In the same way, our gifts belong to God and should be used for His glory.
Discovering your gifts often happens as you serve. Many people wait until they are completely certain about their gifts before they begin serving. But often, clarity comes through action. As you step out in faith, serve needs, and remain teachable, you begin to see where God brings fruit.
Ephesians 4:12 shows that ministry exists for the equipping of the saints and the edifying of the body of Christ. God uses people to build people. Your obedience may become part of someone else’s encouragement, growth, healing, clarity, or strengthening.
Using your gifts requires humility. You must be willing to learn, grow, receive correction, and serve without needing attention. Gifts should never become an excuse for pride or independence. The greater the influence, the deeper the need for character, accountability, and love.
Spiritual gifts also require faithfulness. God may begin by giving you small opportunities. Do not despise small beginnings. Faithfulness in simple acts of service often prepares the heart for greater responsibility.
The goal is not to discover your gift so people can notice you. The goal is to use what God has placed in you so Christ is honored and others are strengthened.
Personal Application
Begin by asking God to help you recognize what He has placed in your life. What do you naturally care about? Where do people often receive help or encouragement from you? What needs do you notice? What service brings spiritual fruit? What abilities, experiences, or burdens has God given you?
You may not know all of your gifts immediately, and that is okay. Start by being available. Ask God to show you where to serve, who to encourage, and how to use what He has already placed in your hands.
Pay attention to fruit. When you serve in certain ways, do people grow, receive encouragement, gain clarity, experience comfort, or become strengthened in faith? Fruit can help confirm where God is working through your life.
Also give attention to developing strong character. Gifts are important, but Christlike character is essential. A gift may open a door, but it takes strong character to sustain success.
Remember This Truth
Spiritual gifts are not given for comparison or personal attention. They are given to glorify God and build up others.
A Simple Pattern for Discovering and Using Your Gifts
Use this pattern as you prayerfully seek to understand and steward what God has placed in your life.
The G.I.F.T.S. Pattern
- Go to God in prayer: Ask Him to reveal how He has gifted you and where He wants you to serve.
- Identify the needs around you: Look for places where encouragement, service, wisdom, help, prayer, or compassion is needed.
- Faithfully serve: Step into opportunities with humility and a willingness to learn.
- Track spiritual fruit: Notice where your service strengthens others and honors God.
- Steward your gift with love: Keep growing in character, accountability, humility, and faithfulness.
Practical Ways to Recognize Your Gifts
Spiritual gifts often become clearer as you pray, serve, listen, and observe where God brings fruit.
Helpful Questions to Consider
- What needs do I notice? The burdens you carry may point toward areas where God wants you to serve.
- How do I naturally encourage or help others? Gifts often show up through repeated patterns of usefulness.
- Where have others affirmed God’s work through me? Trusted believers can sometimes see gifts we overlook.
- What service produces spiritual fruit? Look for areas where people are strengthened, helped, encouraged, or drawn closer to God.
- What opportunities has God already placed before me? Sometimes the first step is simply serving where you are needed.
- Am I willing to grow? Gifts mature through practice, humility, instruction, and faithfulness.
Spiritual Gifts Check
Use these questions to examine how God may be calling you to use your gifts for His glory and the good of others.
Ask Yourself:
- Do I believe God has given me something useful to serve others?
- Have I been comparing my gifts to someone else’s gifts?
- Where do I see God bringing fruit when I serve?
- What gift, ability, experience, or burden may God want me to steward more faithfully?
- Am I willing to serve without the need for public recognition ?
- Do I use my gifts with love, humility, and accountability?
- What is one opportunity where I can begin serving this week?
Bible Reflection Questions
- What does Romans 12:6 teach you about gifts differing according to God’s grace?
- How does 1 Corinthians 12:4–7 help you understand the purpose of spiritual gifts?
- Why is comparison harmful when discovering and using your gifts?
- What does 1 Peter 4:10 teach you about stewardship?
- Where have you seen God use your life to encourage, help, or strengthen someone else?
- What is one practical way you can begin using your gifts more faithfully?
Action Step
Identify one gift, ability, burden, or experience God may want you to use to serve others. Then choose one practical opportunity to begin using it this week.
Complete these statements:
- One gift, ability, or burden God may have placed in my life is: __________________________
- One need I notice around me is: __________________________
- One person or group I can serve is: __________________________
- God’s Word says: __________________________
- One practical step I will take this week is: __________________________
This week, pray: “Lord, show me how to use what You have given me to strengthen someone else.”
Prayer
Father, thank You for giving gifts to Your people through Your grace. Help me recognize what You have placed in my life and teach me to use it faithfully. Remove comparison, fear, pride, and hesitation from my heart. Show me where I can serve, encourage, help, and build up others. Help me steward every gift with humility, love, accountability, and faithfulness. May my life bring glory to You and strength to others. In Jesus name, Amen.