Determining Your Spiritual Gift
After reading each statement, determine if you strongly agree (SA), agree (A), or disagree (D) with the proposed action. Place the appropriate letters next to each sentence. When you are finished, note the number of (SA) responses you have marked as opposed to (A) or (D). The more (SA) responses you have in a specific section will reveal a strong leading from the Lord that will help you determine a general direction to follow. However, this questionnaire should not be the last word in determining your gift, but should only be used as a helpful indicator of His gifting in your life. When you have finished determining your responses, refer to the last page to see which gifts correspond to the numbered sections. (Caution): It is best not to look at this last page until you are completely finished with this assignment so that your responses will not be influenced.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- I have a strong desire to preach to people who have never heard the gospel.
- I long to plant a church with people who have never heard of Jesus.
- I would be willing to leave my home in order to minister in to people in other cultures.
- I think I could learn another language in order to minister in another culture.
- I'm excited, challenged, and ready to go when I think about living in another culture in order to use my spiritual gifts.
- I would like to be a missionary, beginning new churches, introducing the Scriptures to people and equipping the saints.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- I like to proclaim God's Word to build up, encourage, comfort others.
- It is important for me to speak God's words of warning to the world today.
- I have sensed God giving me a word of prophecy for individuals or for the church.
- I'm not afraid to speak boldly from God's Word about evil in the world or in people's lives.
- I have a directness and persuasiveness when speaking God's Word.
- I desire to call people from sin to righteousness.
- I believe my outreach is more to the church at large than with a local church.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- It is a joy for me to proclaim God's plan of salvation to non-Christians.
- I have a deep concern for the unreached people in my community.
- I love to go where unbelievers are just so I can share my faith.
- I'm able to sense when a person does not know Jesus as Lord, and I am challenged and motivated to share the message of salvation with him/her.
- I often turn conversations with unbelievers toward the Lord Jesus.
- I desire to share with others how Christ has brought me to Himself.
- I love to share my testimony with others of God’s saving grace toward me.
- I want others to make Jesus their Savior.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- It is enjoyable to have the responsibility of leading other people in their spiritual lives.
- People come to me, seeking my understanding on specific questions or problems.
- I'm excited about teaching thoroughly the truths in Scripture.
- I want to pastor a church and build up the people who attend.
- I want to be involved in people's lives on a long-term basis.
- I enjoy teaching the Word in an expositional manner (teaching through a book).
- Others have told me that I ought to be teaching on a regular basis.
- My motive is to see people's lives transformed by the Spirit and Word of God.
- I long to give spiritual guidance to the Body of Christ and to keep people from error.
- I desire to lead, protect, guide, and feed believers so they will become spiritually mature.
- I love to counsel and reach out to help when I see a Christian straying from the truth.
- I love to study the Bible in a systematic way and can spend hours doing so.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- I love to be a part of organizing ministries in the church.
- I usually like to take a leadership roll in the groups or in organizations.
- I like to see the ministries of the church run smoothly and meet people’s needs.
- I usually have good discernment over problems and how to fix them.
- I seem to know how to resolve problems when they come up and find solutions.
- I am usually diligent to oversee a project to the end.
- I find great joy in leading people to accomplish the goals set out for the church.
6. If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- I have sensed when speaking to others that God gives me wisdom spontaneously.
- I have sensed when I teach that God gives me wisdom over Scriptures.
- I have an ability to select the best alternative in a difficult situation.
- I find it easy to reduce Biblical truths down to principles that can be applied to problems.
- I can arrive at Biblical solutions to complicated problems.
- People with problems seem to come to me for advice and counsel.
- I enjoy providing solutions to difficult problems in life.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- God has given me knowledge of things He was doing before anyone knew it had occurred.
- God has given me a revelation that someone was being healed.
- God has given me a revelation that someone was doing evil when it was still a secret.
- God has given me knowledge of facts about them that a person wondered how I knew.
- The knowledge that God gives me has enabled me to minister to the real needs.
- When people talk to me God reveals to me what is really going on inside them.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- It seems easy for me to perceive whether a person is honest or dishonest.
- I seem to know very quickly whether something is right or wrong, true or false.
- I am uncomfortable when I hear error being spoken in an apparently truth-like manner.
- I can sense when a particular teaching is not Biblical or is even slightly off.
- Others have noted that I was able to see through a phony before the truth was evident.
- I find myself using God's Word to check people's words and actions.
- I can discern when a prophecy is of God and when it is not.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- God has allowed me while I’m awake to see spiritual things like a video with my eyes open.
- God gives me the interpretation of the visions He gives me and I understand their meaning.
- God has given me dreams that are prophetic and I understand their meaning.
- God has given me dreams that reveal practical direction I should take or others should take.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- I have a tendency to try the impossible and believe that it can be done.
- I often believe that God will lead me through a situation when others feel it is hopeless.
- I love to step out to attempt things that other shy away from.
- When people are discouraged, I enjoy giving them a positive godly outlook.
- I find it easy to ask God for great things because there is nothing to hard for Him.
- I see difficulties as opportunities for God to display His power and glory.
- I accept God's promises at face value and apply them to situations without wavering.
- Others have told me that I have faith to accomplish things that seemed impossible to them.
- I'm a potential-centered person rather than problem-centered person.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- I enjoy the opportunity to pray for a person who is sick that they might be healed.
- I have prayed for a person who was sick and he or she has gotten better.
- I like to participate in ministry to the physically or mentally ill and to pray for their recovery.
- I have seen people healed as a result of God's working through me.
- I look for people who are sick so I might pray for them.
- I consider it no great thing for God to heal people.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- I find God using me to do things beyond my natural abilities.
- I have prayed and God performed an instant healing in another person or me.
- God has used me to perform a physical supernatural sign or wonder.
- I find God using me in miraculous ways so that people will believe that God's Word true.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- I am not afraid of demonic forces because I believe they have been conquerored by Christ.
- I believe that I have absolute authority over all demonic power in the name of Jesus.
- I have encountered and determined that a person was demon possessed.
- God has used me to cast a demon out of another person.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- I have sensed God speaking to me words of encouragement and comfort that I’m sure He wants me to share with others.
- As I wait upon God in prayer He gives me bold and encouraging words to speak to others.
- It is important for me to speak the things God places upon my heart.
- I have had God confirm the words He has spoken to me through others telling me these words were true.
- The words of prophecy I have spoken have touched and changed people’s hearts and lives.
- I desire to call people from sin to righteousness.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- I find that prayer in my own language is sometimes inadequate to communicate my heart.
- God has given me sounds and utterances that were not my native language.
- I long to be able to worship with a heavenly gift of tongues.
- I long to be able to pray with my spirit and communicate the deep things on my heart.
- It excites me that God could give me the gift of tongues.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- I have had the experience of hearing someone speak in tongues and I instantly knew what they were saying.
- I have interpreted my own speaking with tongues.
- I have prayed for the ability to interpret tongues.
- It excites me that God would give me the ability to know what my own tongues would mean.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- Teaching others what God has taught me excites me.
- People tell me that they learn so much when I teach them.
- Teaching a Bible class would be one of the most enjoyable things I could do.
- I enjoy studying the Bible intensely to learn all I can.
- I make sure my statements are true and accurate according to God's Word.
- I am willing to put in hours of research.
- I react to people who make unfounded statements that are not based on the Scriptures.
- When I hear of a problem or a question, I love to find and give a Biblical answer.
- Others have told me that I ought to be teaching on a regular basis.
- I tend to be silent on a matter until I check it out Biblically.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- It is a joy to give encouragement to people who are discouraged or depressed.
- People who are hurting often come to me for encouragement and comfort.
- I see the potential in others and find it easy to give them counsel that uplifts them.
- I can identify with people who are struggling and I love to help them.
- I find that I am a patient listener.
- People often express to me how much I’ve helped or encouraged them in their time of need.
- When I hear of a believer who has fallen away, I'm anxious to go and try to restore them.
- Others come to me when discouraged and the advice I give causes them to take a new action of faith or obedience.
- I would enjoy spending time each week counseling others.
- I love to motivate people.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- I enjoy doing behind-the-scenes jobs.
- I like to do things without attracting attention to myself.
- I notice the practical needs that others have and enjoy meeting these needs.
- I usually find ways to serve others before anyone else does.
- I don't wait to be asked; I just pitch in and help.
- Rather than seeking a leadership position, I desire to serve under or with someone else.
- I would rather do things with my hands than talk to a person about a problem.
- I like to put that "extra touch" on the job I do.
- I like to organize people for more effective ministry.
- The development of effective plans for church ministry gives me great satisfaction.
- I know how to delegate tasks to the right people at the right time.
- I enjoy working with plans, figures, and systems.
- I find myself thinking about ways in which things could be better run around the church.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- I find great satisfaction in giving generously to others or to the work of the Lord.
- I appreciate the opportunity to financially support a critical need.
- I give sacrificially of my time and talents to help others.
- I find it easy to give my possessions to others without a thought of what I will receive.
- I look for opportunities to give without having to be asked.
- When I hear of someone in need I immediately think of trying to help in some way.
- I am very free with my money, possessions, time, or service.
- I consider it a joy to give.
- I don't need to be asked.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- I have great compassion for the problems and needs of others.
- I enjoy ministering to a person who is sick, needy, confined, or disabled.
- I am patient with those who are suffering.
- I am willing and eager to spend time, money, and resources to help those in need.
- The sight of misery makes me want to express God's love.
- I have a knack for turning my compassion into cheerful acts of kindness.
- I am drawn to hurting people who others shy away from.
- I react to those who are insensitive to other people's needs.
- I attract those with struggles because people think I'll understand.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- I enjoy having people give me prayer requests.
- I love to spend time in prayer because I believe God hears and answers.
- I seek out prayer meetings so I can pray with others.
- God has shown me the fruit of my prayers.
- If this gift were yours you would see or experience these things:
- I believe God wants to use my artistic talents for His glory.
- I love to depict the glory of God in painting or sculpture.
- I love to reveal God’s truth and power by writing and explaining His Word.
- I love to use my musical gifts to lead others into worship.
- I enjoy singing the special songs that God gives me to minister to others and encourage them in their faith.
Helpful indicators to God’s gifting in your life.
What do you desire and have a burden to do?
Do you have a sense of call and desire to serve God? This desire within your heart is where all ministry begins (1 Tim. 3:1). Desire is a significant issue because it is God who works in you to will and do of His good pleasure (Phil. 2:13).
Define exactly what you desire to do and what ministry you want to fulfill for the Lord. Where are you involved in service now?
It’s not enough to just have a desire for ministry, but have you acted on that desire to actually serve in the ministry area you believe you are called to? Finding a place of service is the best way to finding your special gifting. God doesn’t give His gifts just so you can possess them; He wants to give His gifts so you can use them. In Romans 12:1-11 you will see that God connects surrender to Him as a prerequisite to receiving the gifts of His Spirit, but then speaks of serving Him with all diligence.
Are you involved and doing right now what you believe you are called to do?
Do you see fruit in your service?
You must also see the Holy Spirit anoint you as you serve Him in your ministry. God’s anointing is a further conformation (Luke 4:18; Acts 10:38; 2 Cor. 1:21; 1 John 2:20).
Peoples lives will change as a result of your ministry, just as they did when men ministered in the book of Acts (Gal. 2:8; Acts 2:37; Acts 4:31; Acts 19:6).
Have you seen fruit from your service in the ministry you aspire to?
Is this fruit recognized by others?
People will also come to you and testify that your ministry has touched them.
People are a further confirmation of your calling (1 Sam. 3:20; Mark 1:4,5).
There must be proof that God has gifted you (2 Tim. 4:5)
Has anyone ever given you this confirmation?
Has the fruit of your ministry been acknowledged by the church leadership?
The church leadership can only ratify and ordain what they see God is already doing in your life (1 Tim. 4:14; 1 Tim. 1:18; Gal 2:7, 9).
The church was to determine whether a man was qualified to serve in the office of elder or deacon and then appoint those who did have the qualifications (1 Tim. 3:1-16; Acts 14:23).
You should study these qualifications and sincerely examine yourself, if you are married examine your spouse, and determine if your family life is in harmony with the Scripture.
Do you have an open door for ministry?
God must open the doors for you to minister (1 Cor. 16:9).
The opportunity to serve is God’s final conformation that comes directly from the Lord Himself.
Below is the answer key to the gift questionnaire. Each number corresponds to the questions at the beginning of this article.
Ministry Gifts
- Apostle – one sent forth by the church to establish new works. 4:11
- Prophet – one who speaks forth God’s Word to exhort or prophesy. Eph. 4:11
- Evangelist – one who proclaims the good news of Jesus to the unsaved. 4:11
- Pastors / teachers – one who shepherds and instructs the church. Eph. 4:11
- Governments, ruling, leading – one who guides and leads. 1 Cor. 12:28 Rom. 12:8
Revelation Gifts
- The Word of Wisdom – The supernatural ability to receive God’s wisdom. 1 Cor. 12:8
- The Word of Knowledge – The supernatural ability to receive knowledge. 1 Cor. 12:8
- The discernment of spirits – The supernatural ability to discern between truth and error, flesh and spirit, the demonic and the Spirit of God, before the fruit is evident. 1 Cor. 12:10
- Visions and dreams – the ability to see the future by visions & dreams. Dan. 1:17
Gifts of Power
- Faith – the ability to believe when everyone else does not. 1 Cor. 12:9
- Gifts of healing – the ability to lay hands on the sick and see them healed. 1 Cor. 12:9
- The working of miracles – God working outside of man’s natural laws. 1 Cor. 12:10
- Exorcism – the ability to cast demons out of an individual. Mark 3:14-15 Luke 10:19
Verbal Gifts
- Prophecy - The ability to speak God’s message spontaneously.1 Cor. 12:10 Rom. 12:6
- Different kinds of tongues – The ability to speak, pray, and praise in a foreign language without learning it beforehand. 1 Cor. 12:10
- The interpretation of tongues – The ability to understand when you or someone else speaks in tongues. 1 Cor. 12:10
- Teaching – The supernatural ability to teach and communicate God’s Word. Rom. 12:7
- Exhortation – The supernatural ability to encourage. Rom. 12:8
The Gifts of Service
- Helps, Ministry, or administration – The supernatural ability to serve, organize, or give relief to others: Rom. 12:7 1 Cor. 12:28
- Giving – The supernatural ability to give or impart a gift to others. Rom. 12:8
- Showing mercy – The supernatural ability to show sympathy for the misery of another. Rom. 12:8
- Intercessory prayer – The supernatural ability to pray. James 5:14-15
- Gifting in the arts - The supernatural ability to paint, do sculpture, write, or play music). Ex. 28:3 Ex. 35:10; 21; 25; 30-33 1 Chron. 15:22 1 Chron. 25:1 Ex. 24:4 2 Peter 1:21 - Holy men of God spoke and wrote as they were moved by the Spirit. Ezra 7:6 Note that a skill given by God is synonymous with a gift given by God.