Tuesday, November 13, 2007

Spiritual Gifts...

I am on the steering team for my MOPS group this year and am really enjoying the Bible study that we are doing on servant leadership. Last week, in preparation for our discussion, we took an online survey to determine what our spiritual gifts are.

Here's the survey.

It was so interesting for me to do, as I haven't done anything like that before. Truthfully, I wasn't really all that surprised by my results -- they were kind of what I thought they would be. (I do have to add that #3 on my list was writing, so obviously this blog lets me get a lot of what I have inside out in a productive way!) Since you asked...
Tied for 1st: Hospitality/Encouragement
Tied for 2nd: Faith/Writing

One thing that did surprise me as I took the test were the occasional pangs of guilt about not saying "yes" to some of the questions. I wanted for it to be true about myself, but I also know that I could in no way represent that it was. It just wasn't me even if I wanted it to be. The other thing that I took note of as I went through the questions was that different people popped into my head -- I could tell "Yep, that's a spiritual gift for So-And-So" or "Oh, that's totally So-And-So."

As we were talking about our results during Bible study, the funny part was that most of us had trouble believing that our top gifts were truly spiritual gifts. There were lots of comments about how it just seemed like that's the way you do stuff...that's the way you go about things...that's just the way it is.

I came to the conclusion as I listened to everyone share that having that feeling is actually confirmation that they are INDEED spiritual gifts. Each person is blessed with the innate skills and talents to have those things be second nature, to be a part of that person's core. The fact that it is "just how you do things" says to me that God made it that way for you because he definitely didn't make it that way for everyone. Others that didn't have those spiritual gifts also chimed in, indicating that they wished they were blessed with such things.

I just thought I'd share this with you all since I enjoyed taking a closer look at myself in such a cool way. Try taking the survey with some friends, your spouse, and/or a Bible study group. The discussion is the best part! I'm guessing that whatever you are surprised with will be obvious to those that know and love you.

10 comments:

Terri said...

I'm going to give it a try. I don't have the time right now but will later. Our church offers a class like this every so often and I think it really is a good thing. We need to know where our strong points are, then we can be used more.

BethAnne said...

Our church does a class that helps you find your spiritual gifts. My top three were Evangelism, Prophecy (although I do not speak in tongues - I am a Baptist we dont do that), and encouragement. I think it is neat how we are all specifically designed by God to have certain strengths to use for His Kingdom. Now, if we could all just find out what they are and actually do what He wants us to do with them. I know what my gifts are, but I am not always quick to use them for God - I need to work on that.

Renee said...

Now I'm curious to know what your gifts are! I would guess, but I don't even know what the options are. If there are gifts for encouraging, listening, loyalty, and humor, then I would say that those are you!

Thanks for the link. I've been wanting to take one of these for a while!!

Earen said...

Oh...I'm going to have to go take that test. I've taken them in the past, but haven't for awhile. It would be interesting to see. So, what were you?

Sounds like you're enjoying steering & this Bible Study. I'm so glad...I miss it for sure.

Cheri said...

I took the test awhile ago and my gifts were encouragement and hospitality. It's always interesting to know what your talents are!

Mari said...

I took the tests and my gifts are the same as they were when I did it at church last year - I have mercy, faith and encouragement. The interesting thing is that these gifts can change, at different times, depending on the situation you are on. God gives us gifts for what we need, when we need it.

I'm Tara. said...

Renee -- you sweetie!

I should have put my gifts in there, huh? I will go edit now! But for you repeat comment readers, my top 4 were all within 2 points of each other:

Tied for 1st:
Encouragement, hospitality

Tied for 2nd:
Faith, Writing

Mari, we talked about that point, too. How our spiritual gifts change over time and with our lives.

Alana said...

We just did a similar study of personality and spiritual gifts at our church. We used the DISC test for personalities and I was a SC. Mostly S (which stands for steady).

We also did a spiritual gifts analysis online (but not this one). It said my gifts were showing mercy, and pastor/sheperding.

I'll have to try the one you suggested as well.

Shelley said...

I have always wanted to do one of those studies, but I've never had a chance too. So, thank you! I will definately do the survey!

Pam said...

Tara, Thanks for visiting my blog and also for your prayers. I have really been praying lately about my purpose and gifts, so I am looking forward to taking the survey. I don't think it was an accident that you visited me so that I would intern visit you and find this survey. I will be back.