Ephesians 4 - Spiritual Gifts Again

Last Monday I wrote about Spiritual Gifts and the results of a survey. Our Youth Sunday School classes completed their surveys and it was such a blessing to see the room full of young people responding to their Youth Minister’s teaching. Once their answers displayed their talents, he had places for them to best use their talents.

Let’s take a look at them.

Administration – not many of the students excelled in this. Understandable. The administrator, or organizer is decisive, delegates, makes jobs look easy, is attentive to details. However, our teens would fit well in completing and following up.

Giving – managing money well and helping others. Even teens earn money and learning about tithing and managing theirs now will help them all their lives.

Evangelism – our Youth Department has a soul winning emphasis group that meets on Monday nights. Every student ranking high in this area would benefit by participating in spreading the good news.

Exhortation – several were high in this area, which means they get to encourage. They can encourage others to be faithful in attendance, Bible reading and their prayer time. They can be of help to others in the midst of problems.

Mercy – believe it or not (perhaps it is easily believed!) this was my lowest score. Those with this spiritual gift can be helpful to others going through difficulty; they empathize as they interact.

Pastor – this is a great gift. 1 Timothy 3:1 says this is something to be desired. It is a calling, but God will call those who can accomplish His will. Young men rating high here should be learning how to preach. Our Youth Minister began preaching at church in his teens – and did several other young men now serving our Lord in other churches. It is a blessing to work with such students.

Prophesy – these would be helpers who work to direct and help disciple those who were disruptive in services, and explaining to them what God’s word says about their actions and why they are to be respectful

Serving – there are tremendous opportunities for those with service in mind: decorating or making the church look better; helping to set up classrooms or fellowship rooms; cleaning up after meals/fellowships. There’s always work available there.

Teaching – we are all on different milestones in our Christian lives. Some of our youth are very mature Christians and are able to help others who do not understand the current lessons or preaching. After services are a great time to share what God’s word says about life situations.

None of the above should be confined to youth. Our adults should be discipling these young people, showing them years of examples from their own experience.

Where were you in church today, or any day this week? Have you a ministry built on spiritual gifts? Have you fulfilled scripture?

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)