We've been talking about spiritual gifts in our cell. Here are some of the verses that have been guiding us:
Ephesians 4:1-16 (NIV)
1Cor 12:1- 13:3 (NIV)
Matthew 25:14-28
Using a spiritual gifts discernment questionaire, we identified our own spiritual strengths, some of which surprised us! Some of the results surprised us, for being considered spiritual, such as Administration. There are people among us who the Spirit guides through discerning and creating the processes that keep us, the church, a healthy organism - that's a good thing!
We've been just as surprised at the discovery that God has placed gifts in us, such as Faith*. Many of us feel and know faith but don't understand if there is a difference between faith in general and faith as a gift. Is it all a gift and lots of us get it in different amounts?
Clearly, as followers of Jesus, we are all called to have Faith*. We are called to show Mercy. As disciples, we're called in a lot of challenging and rewarding ways. But, in all kinds of ways, where some are carrying out Jesus' imperatives, others are expressing their gifts. Huh!
So, we have more questions than answers. We hope a discussion can breathe some insight into our search.
Here are the questions I'd like us to discuss:
- How is operating out of our personal strengths different than operating out of our spiritual gifts - is it?
- How do you discern the difference between your areas of giftedness versus what you approach as a spiritual discipline?
*Taken from the questionaire: "To have faith is the gift God gives members of the body of Christ by which they see the will and purpose of God for a time or context and trust Him to bring about the supernatural or miraculous."
Are we called to have faith? Yes. Is it a gift in the sense that it is freely given? I'd say yes. Is it a "gift" in the sense that it's something you can have a knack for? I'd say yes - for some folks, at some times in their lives at least, having a very deep faith is something they do well. Others have a hard time of it.
ReplyDeleteIt's also something you can learn, and something you can teach. (For example, looks to me like Martin Luther King had a knack for faith, studied and was taught about faith, and in turn became a teacher of faith).
Let me answer your questions with more questions:
Is every strength, every capability that we have, something God has given us as a gift?
Is something that we learn through great struggle also something God has given us? If it's not from God, where'd it come from?
Kris, could you please post the questionnaire your cell used to get the ball rolling?
ReplyDelete-Amie
I think that 'personal strengths' vs. 'spiritual gifts' can also have to do with perspective? Like anything, I think the difference comes when we either choose to include God in the process, or choose to do it all on our own strength. Ultimately, our personal strengths still come from God!
ReplyDeleteHey guys, Kris here. Email me (kris.j.eden@gmail.com) if you want a copy of the questionaire. Amie, yours is on the way!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughts!