Bible Truth Foundations
Part 3 of 3: Serving in Christ
Please begin by answering this question honestly in your own words.
If someone asked you "what is your spiritual gift?" right now, could you answer? What has stopped you from identifying or using it so far?
1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
Read this slowly before moving on. Notice where the ability is said to come from: supplied, not self-generated.
The central idea of this lesson
Every believer has been given a specific gift by the Holy Spirit, and ministry is meant to flow through God’s supplied ability, not your own natural talent.
The Spirit gives gifts "to each one individually as He wills." Every believer has at least one gift, not only pastors or recognised leaders.
1 Corinthians 12:7, 11
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all... But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
Gifts differ in kind but serve one purpose: the profit of all, not personal status or recognition.
1 Corinthians 12 lists nine gifts: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues. Romans 12 adds further gifts of service, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading and mercy.
Going Deeper
The distinction between the nine gifts in 1 Corinthians 12 and the six in Romans 12 matters practically. The Corinthians list leans toward the more overtly supernatural: healing, miracles, tongues. The Romans list includes gifts many believers already exercise without naming them as spiritual gifts at all, such as giving, leading and showing mercy.
Ministering "as with the ability which God supplies" means leaning on God’s strength in the moment, not rehearsed natural skill. This does not exclude natural talent; it means natural talent is not the engine.
Hebrews 2:3-4
God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will.
Recognising a gift and never stepping out in it leaves it dormant. Paul’s own ministry continued even in difficult circumstances, such as the shipwreck voyage in Acts 27, where he continued to minister faith and encouragement to those around him. Even imperfect first attempts, offered sincerely, are how believers grow into their gifting.
Note
You do not need to feel fully confident before you begin. Gifts are sharpened in the exercising of them, not perfected in private before they are ever used.
Work through these on your own before your group meets. Type your answers directly into the table below. Your answers are saved automatically in your browser.
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| Question | My Answer | Group Discussion Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Which of the gifts listed in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 or Romans 12:6-8 do you recognise in your own life, even if you have never called it a "spiritual gift"? | ||
| What is the difference between ministering from natural talent and ministering "as with the ability which God supplies" (1 Peter 4:11)? | ||
| Why does 1 Corinthians 12:7 say gifts are given "for the profit of all" rather than for the individual? | ||
| What is one small step you could take this week to exercise a gift you have been holding back from using? |
These questions are designed for open conversation at any level of experience. There are no trick questions and no single correct answer.
A gift left unused stays theoretical. This week, move from naming your gift to exercising it, even in a small way.
| Context | How I Apply This |
|---|---|
| Personal life | Read through 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 and Romans 12:6-8 this week and write down which gift, or gifts, you most recognise in yourself. |
| Church community | Look for one low-stakes opportunity this week to exercise that gift within your church community, even imperfectly. |
| Difficult seasons | When you feel unqualified or hesitant to step out, remember that gifts are sharpened through use, not before it. Take the first step anyway, trusting God’s supplied ability rather than your own confidence. |
| Scripture to carry | Memorise 1 Peter 4:11: "If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies." Let it reset your posture from self-reliance to Spirit-reliance. |
Tap each card to reveal the answer.
How should a believer minister, according to 1 Peter 4:11?
"As with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ."
1 Peter 4:11
Who decides which gift each believer receives?
1 Corinthians 12:11
"One and the same Spirit, distributing to each one individually as He wills."
1 Corinthians 12:11
What is the stated purpose of spiritual gifts?
1 Corinthians 12:7
"But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all."
1 Corinthians 12:7
Name three gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8.
Prophecy, ministry (service), teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and mercy are listed in Romans 12:6-8.
Name three of the nine gifts in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10.
Word of wisdom, word of knowledge, faith, gifts of healing, working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues, and interpretation of tongues.
What should believers "seek to excel in", according to Paul?
1 Corinthians 14:12
"Since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church that you seek to excel."
1 Corinthians 14:12