The 28 Spiritual Gifts

How it shows up

It shows up as the person who can see a goal and quietly build the plan, schedule, and team to reach it, so a ministry runs smoothly instead of by accident. Grow it by volunteering to coordinate a real project end to end and by learning to delegate rather than do everything yourself.

Marks of this gift

• develop strategies or plans to reach identified goals
• assist ministries to become more effective and efficient
• create order out of organizational chaos
• manage or coordinate a variety of responsibilities to accomplish a task
• organize people, tasks, or events

Reflect

• • When a group you are part of drifts, do you instinctively reach for a plan that gets everyone moving again?
• • Do people trust your organizing enough to follow your lead on a shared task?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

It shows up as someone who gives money, time, and resources freely and joyfully, often quietly meeting needs others miss. Grow it by giving sacrificially and in secret (Matthew 6:3-4), trusting God to supply rather than giving only from surplus.

Marks of this gift

• manage their finances and limit their lifestyle in order to give as much as possible
• support the work of ministry with sacrificial gifts to advance the Kingdom
• meet tangible needs that enable spiritual growth to occur
• provide resources generously and cheerfully, trusting God for His provision
• may have a special ability to make money so they may use it to further God's work

Reflect

• • Do you feel joy rather than reluctance when you give to meet a need?
• • Do you look for needs to meet, or wait to be asked?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

It shows up as the person who simply sees what needs doing and does it, freeing others to use their gifts. Grow it by serving without needing credit (1 Peter 4:11) and by noticing the unglamorous tasks everyone else overlooks.

Marks of this gift

• serve behind the scenes whenever needed to support the gifts and ministries of others
• see the tangible and practical things to be done and enjoy doing them
• sense God's purpose and pleasure in meeting everyday responsibilities
• attach spiritual value to practical service
• would rather do a job than find someone else to do it

Reflect

• • Do you genuinely not mind who gets the credit when the work gets done?
• • Do you find joy in tasks that quietly make others' ministry possible?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

It shows up as an open home and an open table, where strangers quickly feel they belong. Grow it by regularly inviting people in — especially the new, the lonely, and the overlooked (Hebrews 13:1-2) — without waiting until everything is perfect.

Marks of this gift

• provide an environment where people feel valued and cared for
• meet new people and help them to feel welcomed
• create a safe and comfortable setting where relationships can develop
• seek ways to connect people together into meaningful relationships
• set people at ease in unfamiliar surroundings

Reflect

• • Is your first instinct to welcome people in and make them comfortable?
• • Do you open your space to those outside your usual circle?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

It shows up as someone who senses prayer needs early and sustains prayer for them over days and weeks. Grow it by keeping a prayer list, guarding regular time alone with God, and treating intercession as real work rather than an afterthought.

Marks of this gift

• feel compelled to earnestly pray on behalf of someone or some cause
• have a daily awareness of the spiritual battles being waged and pray
• are convinced God moves in direct response to prayer
• pray in response to the leading of the spirit, whether they understand it or not
• exercise authority and power for the protection of others

Reflect

• • Do you find yourself praying at length for others, sometimes when you 'should' be doing other things?
• • Do you stay with a prayer request over time rather than praying once and forgetting?

How it shows up

It shows up as someone others naturally follow toward a God-given direction, who can cast vision and move a group forward. Grow it by leading the way you would want to be led — serving those you lead (Hebrews 13:7) and modeling what you ask of them.

Marks of this gift

• provide direction for God's people or ministry
• motivate others to perform to the best of their abilities
• present the "big picture" for others to see
• model the values of the ministry
• take responsibility and establish goals

Reflect

• • Do people tend to follow your direction toward a shared goal?
• • Do you lead by serving and example rather than by position?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

It shows up as deep, active compassion that moves toward the suffering instead of away from them. Grow it by spending time with the hurting and overlooked (the sick, the imprisoned, the grieving) and letting compassion become practical help.

Marks of this gift

• focus upon alleviating the sources of pain or discomfort in suffering people
• address the needs of the lonely and forgotten
• express love, grace, and dignity to those facing hardships and crisis
• serve in difficult or unsightly circumstances and do so cheerfully
• concern themselves with individual or social issues that oppress people

Reflect

• • Do you feel others' pain deeply and want to do something about it?
• • Are you drawn toward people the world tends to avoid?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

It shows up as the person who reliably leaves others stronger, more hopeful, and more willing to keep going. Grow it by noticing the discouraged and speaking specific, truthful hope into their situation rather than empty reassurance.

Marks of this gift

• come to the side of those who are discouraged to reassure them and give them hope
• emphasize God's promises and confidence in his will

Reflect

• • Do people walk away from you more hopeful than they came?
• • Are you quick to notice who in the room is struggling?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

It shows up as a natural pull toward people who don't yet know Christ and an ease in turning conversations toward him. Grow it by building real friendships with non-believers and learning to tell the gospel simply and clearly.

Marks of this gift

• communicate the message of Christ with clarity and conviction
• seek out opportunities to talk to unbelievers about spiritual matters
• challenge unbelievers to faith and to become fully devoted followers of Christ
• adapt their presentation of the gospel to connect with the individual's needs
• seek opportunities to build relationships with unbelievers

Reflect

• • Are you energized rather than drained by talking with non-believers about faith?
• • Do you look for openings to share the good news in ordinary conversations?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

It shows up as the ability to call people to do the right thing in a way that motivates rather than condemns. Grow it by pairing every challenge with hope, and by earning the relational trust that makes correction land as care.

Marks of this gift

• come to the side of those who are weak in spirit to strengthen them
• challenge or confront others to trust and hope in the promises of God
• urge others to action by applying Biblical truth
• offer advice, an outline for a solution, or a program for progress
• motivate others to grow

Reflect

• • Can you challenge someone toward change while keeping them on your side?
• • Do you follow up to help people actually take the next step?

How it shows up

It shows up as a love for digging into God's truth and a knack for grasping and connecting things others find difficult. Grow it by studying deeply and then sharing what you learn so knowledge builds others up rather than merely impressing them.

Marks of this gift

• receive truth which enables them to better serve the body
• search the scriptures for insight, understanding, and truth
• gain knowledge which at times was not attained by natural means
• have an unusual insight or understanding that serves the church
• organize information for teaching and practical use

Reflect

• • Do you dig into Scripture and ideas about God for the sheer joy of understanding?
• • Do you use what you learn to serve others, not just to know more?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

It shows up as the ability to make God's truth clear, accurate, and applicable so that people actually understand and live it. Grow it by studying carefully before you speak and by teaching in a way that aims at obedience, not just information (Hebrews 5:12-14).

Marks of this gift

• communicate Biblical truth that inspires greater obedience to the word
• challenge listeners simply and practically with the truths of scripture
• focus on changing lives by helping others understand the Bible better
• give attention to detail and accuracy
• prepare through extended times of study and reflection

Reflect

• • Do people regularly tell you that you helped them understand Scripture?
• • Do you care that your teaching changes how people live, not just what they know?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

It shows up as the ability to apply God's truth skillfully to actual decisions and dilemmas, so knowledge becomes the right next step. Grow it by asking God for wisdom (James 1:5) and by letting it show in a peaceable, gentle life (James 3:13-18).

Marks of this gift

• focus on the unseen consequences in determining the next steps to take
• receive an understanding of what is necessary to meet the needs of the body
• provide divinely given solutions in the midst of conflict and confusion
• hear the Spirit provide direction for God's best in a given situation
• apply spiritual truth in specific and practical ways

Reflect

• • Do people come to you for help applying truth to hard, practical decisions?
• • Is your wisdom marked by peace and gentleness rather than cleverness?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

Today it looks like the church-planter or ministry-pioneer who can start something from nothing in a new place and oversee its growth. Grow it by going where the gospel is thin rather than where it is already strong, and by raising up local leaders you can entrust the work to.

Marks of this gift

• pioneer and establish new ministries or churches
• adapt to different surroundings by being culturally sensitive and aware
• desire to minister to unreached people in other communities or countries
• have responsibilities to oversee ministries or groups of churches
• demonstrate authority and vision for the mission of the church

Reflect

• • Are you drawn to start new works rather than maintain established ones?
• • Do you carry a sense of responsibility for ministries beyond your own local church?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

It shows up as a readiness to cross cultures and leave comfort behind to bring Christ where he is unknown. Grow it by learning other cultures and languages, and by serving across the differences that usually keep people apart (Romans 10:14-15).

Marks of this gift

• have an intense spirit of unease at the thought of all the unsaved people in the world
• adapt themselves and core Biblical principles to different surroundings
• reach out to people groups of a different ethnicity, language, or cultural background
• establish meaningful relationships with people of other nationalities or cultures
• desire to minister to unreached people in other communities or countries

Reflect

• • Would you leave comfortable surroundings to share Christ where he is unknown?
• • Do you adapt easily to people whose culture is different from your own?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

It shows up as long-haul care for a group of believers — feeding, guiding, protecting, and walking with them over time. Grow it by investing in a few people consistently, knowing them by name and staying with them through their struggles (1 Peter 5:1-4).

Marks of this gift

• take responsibility to nurture the whole person in their walk with God
• provide guidance and oversight to a group of God's people
• model with their life what it means to be a fully devoted follower of Jesus
• establish trust and confidence through long-term relationships
• lead and protect those within their span of care

Reflect

• • Do you feel responsible for the ongoing spiritual care of a group of people?
• • Are you willing to walk with people over the long haul, not just the bright moments?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

It shows up as an unusual sensitivity to whether something is of God, of self, or of the enemy — often before others can explain why. Grow it by saturating yourself in Scripture (Hebrews 5:14) so your sense of truth and error is trained by God's word, not just instinct.

Marks of this gift

• distinguish truth from error, right from wrong, pure motives from impure
• identify deception in others with accuracy and appropriateness
• determine whether a word attributed to God is authentic
• recognize inconsistencies in a teaching, prophetic message, or interpretation
• are able to sense the presence of evil

Reflect

• • Can you often sense when something 'spiritual' is actually off, even when it looks good?
• • Do you test your impressions against Scripture before acting on them?

How it shows up

It shows up as an unusual confidence that God will keep his word, which steadies others when circumstances look impossible. Grow it by acting on God's promises in concrete prayer and obedience, and by remembering past faithfulness when new trials come.

Marks of this gift

• believe the promises of God and inspire others to do the same
• act in complete confidence of God's ability to overcome obstacles
• demonstrate an attitude of trust in God's will and his promises
• advance the cause of Christ because they go forward when others will not
• ask God for what is needed and trust him for his provision

Reflect

• • Do you stay confident in God's promises when others are losing heart?
• • Does your faith give other people courage in hard moments?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

It shows up as a person God repeatedly uses to bring physical, emotional, or spiritual restoration through prayer. Grow it by praying boldly yet humbly for the hurting, trusting God with the outcome rather than treating healing as something you control.

Marks of this gift

• demonstrate the power of God
• bring restoration to the sick and diseased
• authenticate a message from God through healing
• use it as an opportunity to communicate Biblical truth and to see God glorified
• pray, touch, or speak words that miraculously bring healing to one's body

Reflect

• • Are you drawn to pray over the sick and hurting, expecting God to act?
• • Can you hold both bold faith and humble surrender to God's will?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

It shows up as a person God uses to do what nature cannot, confirming his power and presence. Grow it by walking closely with God and stepping out in obedience when he prompts, while keeping the glory squarely on him.

Marks of this gift

• speak God's truth and may have it authenticated by an accompanying miracle
• express confidence in God's faithfulness and ability to manifest Christ's presence
• bring the ministry and message of Jesus Christ with power
• claim God to be the source of miracles and glorify the Lord
• represent Christ and point people to a relationship with Him

Reflect

• • Have you seen God work through you in ways that can only be explained by his power?
• • Do you keep the attention on God rather than yourself when he acts?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

It shows up as the ability to render a message given in tongues so that the gathered church can understand and be built up. Grow it by exercising it only where it serves the whole body, in the order Paul laid out, and always toward edification.

Marks of this gift

• express with an interpretation a word by the Spirit which edifies the Body
• enable the gift of tongues to build up the church by interpreting God's message for the people

Reflect

• • When tongues are spoken, do you sense an understanding of what God is saying?
• • Do you seek to use this gift only where it builds up the whole church?

How it shows up

It shows up as Spirit-enabled prayer and praise in a language one has not learned, often strengthening one's private walk with God (Romans 8:26-27). Grow it by keeping it tethered to love and order, and by valuing the building-up of others over personal experience.

Marks of this gift

• may receive a spontaneous message from God made known through interpretation
• communicate a message given by God for the church (if there is someone to interpret)
• speak in a language they have never learned and do not understand
• experience an intimacy with God which inspires them to serve and edify others
• may use speaking in tongues as a private prayer language

Reflect

• • Do you experience Spirit-prompted prayer or praise beyond your own words?
• • Do you keep this gift submitted to love and to the good of others?

How it shows up

It shows up as a Spirit-prompted sense of what God wants to say to people in a particular moment, spoken to build up, encourage, and call to obedience. Grow it by staying close to God and his word, and by always testing and weighing what you sense (Deuteronomy 18:18-22).

Marks of this gift

• expose sin or deception in others for the purpose of reconciliation
• speak a timely word from God causing conviction, repentance, and edification
• see truth that others often fail to see and challenge them to respond
• warn of God's immediate or future judgment if there is no repentance
• understand God's heart and mind through experiences He takes them through

Reflect

• • Do you sometimes sense clearly what God wants to say into a specific situation?
• • Do you submit what you sense to Scripture and the discernment of others?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

It shows up as a single person who experiences their singleness as a gift for undivided service rather than as a season to escape. Grow it by pouring the freedom it gives into ministry and relationships you could not sustain otherwise — and by guarding contentment rather than nursing regret.

Marks of this gift

• remain single so as to be able to devote themselves completely to ministry
• have other gifts that they are able to use more effectively because they are celibate

Reflect

• • Do you experience singleness as freedom for God's work rather than as a lack?
• • Are you using the time and flexibility it gives you for kingdom purposes?

How it shows up

It shows up as the maker, builder, or artist who creates tangible things that serve worship and ministry — from a repaired sound system to art that points people to Christ. Grow it by offering your skill to your church's actual needs and by treating the work itself as worship.

Marks of this gift

• work with wood, cloth, paint, metal, glass, and other raw materials
• make things which increase the effectiveness of others' ministries
• design and build tangible items and resources for ministry use
• use the arts to communicate God's truth
• use variety and creativity to captivate people and cause them to consider Christ's message

Reflect

• • Do you find yourself making or fixing things that help others serve God?
• • Could a skill you treat as 'just a hobby' actually build up the church?

People who showed this gift

How it shows up

It shows up as someone who lifts hearts toward God through singing or playing, helping a whole room worship. Grow it by offering your music to serve the congregation's worship rather than performance, and by letting praise rise even in hard seasons.

Marks of this gift

• sing or play a musical instrument quite well, and enjoy it
• have special joy singing praises to God, alone or with others
• feel secure that their musical ability will benefit other people
• use their musical ability to help and inspire others to worship God
• see that their singing or instrument playing is a spiritual encouragement for others

Reflect

• • Does leading or making music draw you and others into genuine worship?
• • Can you praise God in song even when circumstances are hard?

How it shows up

It shows up as someone who freely chooses a simpler standard of living to free up time and money for God's work. Grow it by holding possessions loosely, resisting the pull of accumulation, and redirecting what you save toward kingdom needs.

Marks of this gift

• will often choose to live among people who are considered poverty-stricken
• live at a poverty level although they have the means to live at a higher standard
• choose this lifestyle in order to minister more effectively to people through identification

Reflect

• • Do you willingly live with less so you can give more to God's work?
• • Does your desire for spiritual riches outweigh your desire for material ones?

How it shows up

It shows up as the ability to put spiritual truth into written words that others can grasp, carry, and return to. Grow it by writing for the people you actually want to help — devotionals, letters, lessons — and by writing clearly enough that the truth, not the style, stands out.

Marks of this gift

• may write stories, sermons, devotions, histories, prayers, songs, or poetry to build up the body of Christ
• may be inspired by the Holy Spirit in what they write
• may teach God's word to others through what they write
• may use writing to express other gifts
• may be better at expressing their thoughts in written form than verbally

Reflect

• • Do you express your thoughts about God more clearly in writing than out loud?
• • Could your writing help others understand or hold onto biblical truth?

People who showed this gift