I am Yours Today!

Introduction

Natural Talents vs Spiritual Gifts

Talents are natural abilities that seem to be hereditary, to run in the genes, or to have been learned through conditioning from the environment in which we lived or through training we have received. Spiritual gifts, on the other hand, are an empowerment of supernatural origin, not a result of genetics, training, or conditioning.

Unbelievers, as well as believers, have talents or natural abilities. Only believers, however, have spiritual gifts.

For further information check the website: Going Deeper: https://robinrevispyke.com/2020/03/09/spiritual-gifts-versus-natural-talents/

Program Ideas

Take this Spiritual Gifts Survey to learn more about your spiritual gifts and how you can use it to serve others: https://s7d9.scene7.com/is/content/LifeWayChristianResources/Spiritual%5FGifts%5FAssessmentpdf.pdf

Spiritual Gifts

What comes to your mind when you think of gifts? It’s something we all love receiving, and many of us love giving them. It’s an expression of love and appreciation. Something unique, selected especially for you. But have you ever received a gift that is not only for you but for the enjoyment of the whole family? An air fryer, a new pot set, or a wall clock? What is it about receiving gifts that you like?

In today’s scripture, Peter tells the believers the following: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10).

We are to serve one another in Christ by using our spiritual gifts. Within your group, share what you believe is your spiritual gift and how you can use it to serve one another.

The picture that Peter paints in this portion of scripture is one of God giving gifts to each of us. The gifts he mentions are specific talents and abilities that are empowered by the Holy Spirit to accomplish spiritual purposes in the process of building up the body of Christ. Gifts like teaching, hospitality, service, singing, healing, discernment, wisdom, writing. We have mouths that can speak words of encouragement and hope. We have ears that can listen empathetically. We have arms to hold children and hug those who are hurting.

God’s gifts to you are not meant to be kept for your own personal benefit, enjoyment, or pride. They are meant to be lovingly shared and dispensed to meet the needs of others. God has entrusted you with the responsibility of ministering to others with your gift. And you are to exercise your gift with care and diligence in order to be a good steward of it. Let the benefits of your gift be shared as widely as possible both within the church and beyond.

After Reading the scripture again, consider these questions:

• What are the gifts that God has given to you?
• How are you using them to serve others?
• How do you think God wants you to use them for the benefit of others?
• How can you step out in your gift (even in a small way) today? Go step into the gift of God.

Going Deeper

There are many ways you can serve and encourage those around you. So many people cross our path every day: Family, friends, neighbors, classmates, teachers, pastors, people at church, doctors, dentists, and people at the grocery store. Serving others with your God-given gifts provides an incredible opportunity to share the love of Christ.

Read 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 and consider the following questions:

• Where do the gifts come from? Why is this fact so important?
• What is the purpose of these manifestations of the Spirit, according to verse 7.
• What gifts did Paul describe? (12:8-10)