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Home > Articles > How Do I Uncover My Spiritual Gifts?
The Heart of the Issue
How Do I Uncover My Spiritual Gifts?
3 ways to discern how God wired you.
Nancy Ortberg

Topics:Holy Spirit, Spiritual disciplines, Spiritual formation, Spiritual gifts, Spiritual growth
Filters:Pastor, Pastoral care, Spiritual director, Woman leader, Women's ministry
Purpose:Discipleship
References:Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12, 1 Peter 4
Date Added:October 07, 2008

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Posted: November 06, 2008
Laura  (Guest)
A few months ago, I was unexpectedly asked to lead the praise & worship at our church. Over the past few months, I have struggled and changed, in my personal life as well as my spiritual one. I want to share the word of God through song, by praise & worship, to the world. However, I continue to struggle with the "talking" aspect of being a worship leader, and continue to struggle with finding the right words when it comes time for prayer & meditation. I pray (silently!) that God will one day give me words that overflow....until then, I will continue to worship and love my truly wonderful Father! God bless those who are willing to share their wisdom with those of us who ain't there yet!

Posted: October 13, 2008
Jamie  (Guest)
Wow- so much negativity for a brief article that seeks only to provide an overview of how to find your gifts. Want comprehensive? Read Wagner or Flynn's books. Even so-called "mature" believers don't know what their gifts are, and their contributions are wasted. As a Christian life coach, I work with women all the time who are not working in their area of giftedness. For example, they have been given gifts of leadership and apostleship and are toiling away as a "helper" in the nursery because that's where they are "needed." Seems like churches would benefit greatly from teaching about gifts and then actively encouraging women (and men) to get into those places where they have the most effectiveness. And I agree with Nancy- when we are working in that sweet spot where our passions, interests and our gifts merge- we DO feel God's pleasure.

Posted: October 14, 2008
Lavabear  (Guest)
I don't hear any negativity in this article at all, but rather a hope and passion that believers will discover how God has wired them to serve the body of Christ. I completely disagree with Moorebiz...spiritual gifts are given to us by our Creator, the God who knows us most intimately -- better than we know ourselves. If He can't pick the best spiritual gift(s) for us, then we have no hope for ever discovering the joy of living a lifestyle of servant leadership. I believe God gifts us in accordance with how He's wired us emotionally and physically. When we serve in our "sweet spots" our joy will be full!


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It's remarkable how you can deepen your relationship with God as you uncover and live out the spiritual gifts he's bestowed on you. What could the church and our world look like if each of us used the gift God's given us?

Nancy Ortberg is a church leadership consultant and popular speaker who lives in California with her husband, John, and their three children. This article first appeared in the January/February 2007 issue of Today's Christian Woman.

Thought Provokers

—Read through 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and 1 Peter 4. What do these passages teach you about gifts and how they should be used?

—What things energize you, come naturally, or bring you great satisfaction? How are these things clues to your spiritual gifts? How can you develop these and use them to edify the Body of Christ?