Week 5: Spiritual Gifts Inventory

Here's what we've all been waiting for.

by Sam O'Neal

When we first started this study on spiritual gifts, I mentioned that I was happy to see it contained more than a spiritual-gifts inventory. And we've certainly been exposed to some interesting and thought-provoking material over the last four weeks.

But I'll admit that I'm ready for that inventory now! And you're group members are probably ready, too. So let's get to it.

The Inventory
I would recommend that you have your group members take the gifts inventory during your actual group meeting this week. There are several reasons why this is a good idea, including:

It guarantees that people will actually take the assessment. Let's face it—things assigned as homework often get forgotten.

It allows for people to have their questions answered during the assessment, in case anything is confusing.

It allows for group discussion after the assessment.

And yes, I do recommend that group members go around and talk about which spiritual gifts were highlighted on their assessment. This is a great time to get some personal reactions. Is anyone disappointed with what the assessment suggest? Excited? Is anyone really confused? These are great topics for discussion, and for learning more about the people in your group.

What Next?
Here's a question for the extended Dot Com(unity)...uh...community: How involved should group leaders be in encouraging and assisting their group members to start using any new spiritual gifts that are discovered during this assessment? Should group time be used in the coming weeks to focus on people using their gifts? Should accountability relationships be set up?

What's the best way to help people use the gifts they've been given?

posted by Sam O'Neal on October 4, 2009 10:11 AM

Comments

Where is the gift inventory?

Hi Mike & Tammy,

The Spiritual Gifts Inventory is contained in the Bible study that is connected with this session of Dot Com(unity):

http://www.smallgroups.com/downloads/biblestudy/specialty/sgc01.html

I heard Paul Ford make a brilliant comment about spiritual gifts:

"Spiritual gifts are where you are powerful, not where you are comfortable"

The problem with most inventories are that they ask me what I am comfortable doing for God, not where I am powerful but too scared to use the gift. To get the most out of an assessment tool, it should be given to 3-5 people who know you well and you should ask them to take it as if they were you and then compare their answers in your small group.

You'll get a much deeper understanding of your spiritual gifts when it is given to you in the form of feedback from others who have seen God work powerfully through you, not where you want to comfortably serve him.