Spiritual Gifts Definitions

Few Bible texts list or define specific spiritual gifts. Romans 12, Ephesians 4 and 1 Peter 4 all contain lists but none of them claim to be comprehensive. It is clear that God is much less interested in listing and defining the gifts for us than he is in encouraging us to live in step with the Spirit, following him into the exciting things he has planned for us.

You can complete a helpful online spiritual gifts assessment or attend Discover: Core 4 to get you started on the process of identifying your spiritual gifts. Once you know them, you can search our Volunteer Opportunities Finder for opportunities that match your gifts.

While there are almost certainly more spiritual gifts in God's vast array, Kingsway has chosen to focus on helping people discover and deploy 18 different gifts. They are listed below. The common element that is shared by all of these gifts is that they are all easily used to build up the church and to bring glory to God.

Administration: Organize people, tasks and programs to accomplish ministry effectively and efficiently. (1 Corinthians 2:28; Acts 6:1-7; Exodus 18:13-26)

Craftsmanship: Creatively apply technical skills as a ministry to others or to create items for use in ministry. (Exodus 31:3; 35:31-35)

Creative Arts: Create art, in a variety of forms, to communicate God's truth in an inspired way. (Psalm 150)

Discernment: Distinguish between truth and error, various motives or the presence of evil. (1 Corinthians 2:14, 12:10; Acts 5:1-11, 13:6-11; Matthew 16:21-23)

Encouragement: Come alongside other believers to bring out the best in them by comforting, strengthening, counseling, consoling and exhorting them. (Acts 11:22-26, 15:30-32; Romans 12:8; Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3)

Evangelism: Build relationships with unbelievers and engage them in spiritual conversations that help them move towards a personal relationship with Jesus. (Luke 19:1-10; John 4:1-42; Acts 8:26-40; Ephesians 4:11)

Faith: Move ministry forward by believing God for things that only he can do. (1 Samuel 17:1-37; Daniel 3:16-18; Acts 11:22-24; 27:21-25; Romans 4:18-21; Hebrews 11)

Giving: Cheerfully give resources to fuel ministry without feeling put out. (Romans 12:8; Luke 21:1-4; 1 Chronicles 29:3-5)

Hospitality: Create a comfortable environment that welcomes others and puts them at ease. (3 John 1:1-8; Hebrews 13:2; 1 Peter 4:9-10; Acts 16:14-15)

Intercession: Consistently and passionately pray on the behalf of others. (Genesis 18:16-33; Exodus 32:9-14; Romans 8:26; 1 Timothy 2:1-4; John 17:9-26; Colossians 1:9-12)

Knowledge: Bring truth to situations by revealing crucial information, understanding or biblical insight. (1 Kings 4:29-34; 2 Chronicles 1:7-12; Daniel 2:21; Matthew 13:12; 1 Corinthians 12:8)

Leadership: Cast vision, motivate and build teams to collectively accomplish the purposes of God. (Luke 22:25-26; Romans 12:8; Hebrews 13:7, 17)

Mercy: Extend compassion to the hurting so they may experience the love of God in practical ways. (Matthew 5:7; 25:34-36; Luke 10:30-37; Romans 12:8)

Prophecy: Provide guidance to others by proclaiming truth that causes correction or repentance. (Acts 2:17-18; 15:32; 20:9; Romans 12:6; 1 Corinthians 12:10; 2 Peter 1:19-20)

Service: Joyfully accomplish practical tasks that serve others and support ministry. (Acts 6:1-7, 9:36, 20:35; Romans 16:1-2; 2 Timothy 1:16-18)

Shepherding: Nurture, care for and guide people toward spiritual maturity. (John 10:1-8; Acts 20:28-31; 1 Peter 5:1-4)

Teaching: Inspire growth in others by clearly explaining biblical truth. (Proverbs 1:1-4; Romans 12:7; 1 Corinthians 12:28-29; 2 Timothy 2:2, 15)

Wisdom: Understand God's perspective on life situations and share these insights in a simple, understandable way. (Genesis 41:37-40; 1 Kings 4:29-34; 1 Corinthians 2:3-14; 12:8; James 3:13-18)