You are gifted. You have a purpose. Discover your spiritual gifts today!
About the Spiritual Gifts Inventory: God has made each of us wonderfully unique. We are called to be part of one body in Christ, each member serving with a purpose. Explore the spiritual gifts God has given you, and discover ways to serve to bless others that also bring you joy and fulfillment. The UMC’s Spiritual Gifts Inventory is a tool to help you name those gifts and imagine how they might be used in the life of the church and beyond. Take the inventory, and see where God might be inviting you to share your gifts today!
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as God determines.
A Daily Practice: Recognizing Spiritual Gifts
Seeing the unique gifts of others is a habit we can develop. When we look for God-given gifts, we learn to recognize the spark of the divine in everyone we meet. It is beautiful and holy work!
Set aside time each day to name three gifts you see in a particular person. Think about someone in the church, someone in the community, a friend or family member, or yourself! Take time thinking about this person and then reflect:
- Record your observations in a journal
- Lift that person up in prayer, thanking God for the gifts you see in that person
- Think about their gifts as a family reflection around the dinner table.
Over time, this practice reforms how we see one another: not as problems to fix but as gifts to honor.
Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.