Playing your Part in the Body of Christ
Playing your part in the body of Christ depends upon your knowledge of your giftedness. Giftedness consists of:
Natural Abilities:
Those unique capacities, skills, talents or aptitudes which are innate in a person, given upon birth by God our Creator to enable us to accomplish particular tasks. They are discovered more than learned through various tests, such as:
Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences DISC
System for Integrated Motivated Abilities Myers/Briggs
Supernatural Abilities (Spiritual Gifts):
Those unique capacities given to Christians upon new birth in Christ to exercise a Spirit-empowered ministry. They may or may not be different than our natural abilities. They also are discovered more than learned through studying the following passages and reflecting on them in light of one’s own life: Romans 12:3-16; 1 Cor 12:1-31; Eph 4:11-16; 1 Peter 4:10-11. There are two ways to categorize spiritual gifts:
I. Temporary: To confirm the oral Word until written Word completed
Miracles, healing, tongues (languages), and interpretation of tongues
Permanent: To build up the church until Christ’s return
II. Speaking: Prophecy, knowledge, wisdom, teaching, and exhortation
Non-speaking: Leadership, helps, giving, mercy, faith, and discernment
All the gifts are for serving (1 Peter 4:10). Gifts can be manifested in different ways (i.e. Teaching children or pastors). They can be guided by other teaching in Scripture (i.e. Away from some contexts (1 Tim 2:11-12) and toward others (Titus 2:2-8)). As we seek to serve others, we will become more aware of our gifts and function in the body.
Acquired Abilities (Skills):
Those unique capacities, skills, talents or aptitudes that have been learned throughout life that enable us to accomplish particular tasks. They often function in a role enhancing our natural abilities and/or spiritual gifts. Examples are:
Creative: Art, music, design, drama
Cognitive: Attitudinal, educational, analytical, technical
Physical: Athletic, construction, technical or mechanical skills
Relationship: Leadership, communication or relationship skills
Determining your giftedness:
In final analysis, don’t get bogged down trying to discern whether your abilities are natural, supernatural or acquired and what combination they are. All our abilities are given by God for us to use in His service. As you prayerfully consider your abilities and the Scripture passages on spiritual gifts:
-Write out your thoughts about what you think your abilities are;
-Share your thoughts with someone who knows you and ask for their feedback;
-Then go back to this page to see if any of our current opportunities match up with your gifts!
For more information
Interested in digging a little deeper? Here are some online resources to help you in learning how God made you and can use you!
*Please note: by following these links, you will be leaving the FBC website and some sites may not conform to the FBC doctrinal beliefs.
Your Unique Design: Explores your personality, gifts, and talents to discover how you have been wired by God: http://youruniquedesign.com/
DISC: The classic personality profile test: http://www.onlinedisc.com/order.htm
Spiritual Gifts: A simple and free spiritual gifts test: http://www.christianet.com/bible/spiritualgiftstest.htm