Spiritual Gifts Definitions

Adults

EXHORTER/ENCOURAGER

“The God-given ability to say what needs to be said whether positive or constructive.”

CHARACTERISTICS

  • Verbally encouraging
  • Likes to apply the Word rather than investigate it
  • Prefers practical application over theological truth
  • Works best with others
  • Loves to do personal counseling
  • Loves to talk
  • Excels in communication
  • Easily makes decisions 
  • Perceives trials as opportunities for personal growth
  • Has a positive attitude

CHALLENGES

  • Frequently interrupts others
  • Uses Scripture out of context
  • Outspoken
  • Slightly Overconfident

GIVER

“The God-given ability to give freely what God has entrusted to them, this includes time, goods and finances.”

CHARACTERISTICS

  • Gives as led by the Spirit
  • Freely and happily gives
  • Often gives anonymously
  • Understands giving as a part of serving
  • Gives not only quantity by quality
  • Gives to bless and enhance ministry
  • Sees hospitality as a chance to give
  • Financially wise
  • Understand God owns everything

CHALLENGES

  • Pressures others to be more generous
  • May over commit
  • Uses financial giving as a way out of other requirements

LEADER/ADMINISTRATOR

“The God-given ability to lead others in meaningful endeavors which demonstrates personal care and concern in order to meet the needs of others and encourage their growth.”

CHARACTERISTICS

  • Motivates others to action
  • Clearly communicates
  • Happily receives authority when given
  • Is a visionary
  • Delegates well
  • Is passionate and enthusiastic
  • Meets challenges as they arise

CHALLENGES

  • May have trouble dealing with opposition
  • Pushes hard to the point of neglecting family responsibilities

MERCY/COMPASSION

“The God-given ability to have immediate compassion for those who are suffering combined with great joy in meeting their needs.”

CHARACTERISTICS

  • Loves to love
  • Searches out the good in people
  • Brings out the good in people
  • Considers others more important than self
  • Chooses words carefully
  • Detects insincerity
  • Is trustworthy

CHALLENGES

  • Overly sensitive
  • Easily misunderstood or hurt
  • Tends to be indecisive

PROPHET/PERCEIVER

“The God-given ability to communicate the truth without fear of consequence.”

CHARACTERISTICS

  • Encourages repentance for the glory of God
  • Able to recognize good and bad and hates what is bad
  • Recognizes character in people, good or bad
  • Outspoken
  • Courageously holds to spiritual truths
  • Distraught over the sins of others
  • Sees their own shortcomings and those of others
  • Opinionated and holds to convictions

CHALLENGES

  • Delights in goal accomplishment not forward progress
  • Intolerant of other views

SERVER

“The God-given ability to recognize a need and administer assistance to others.”

CHARACTERISTICS

  • Willingly meets the needs of others
  • Has a hands-on approach
  • Detail oriented
  • More interest in others than self
  • More short term oriented than long term
  • Desires appreciation
  • Places an importance on serving
  • Would rather do than delegate
  • Supports the leadership

CHALLENGES

  • Criticizes those who aren’t serving
  • Helps others to the extent of neglecting personal family
  • Doesn’t like to be served
  • Saddened when unappreciated

TEACHER

“The God-given ability to study, research, explain and communicate truth.”

CHARACTERISTICS

  • Logical presenter of truth
  • Confirms truth by examining facts
  • Enjoys study
  • Knows how to do word studies
  • Detests Scripture out of context
  • Establishes Biblical truths
  • Accurate presenter of truth
  • Favors teaching over evangelism
  • Intellectual
  • Has a close circle of friends

CHALLENGES

  • Slow to accept views of others
  • Prideful due to knowledge