The Corinthian church was messed up, to say the least. They were Christians, but that was about it. Theirs was anything but a church to be modeled. We all want to have a New Testament church, but not that New Testament church!

“Well, in 1 Corinthians, it says that the Corinthians did it this way....!” I’m sorry, but if the Corinthians did it that way, we should probably do it the opposite way! Corinth was a clinic in how not to do the ministry. We don’t want to be divided like they were in chapters one and three. We don’t want to sue each other like they did in chapter six. We don’t want a proliferation of divorce, remarriage and immorality like they had in chapter seven. We don’t want to offend each other like they did in chapters eight and ten. We don’t want to share the Lord’s Table like they did in chapter eleven. And we don’t want to express the spiritual gifts like they did in chapters twelve, thirteen and fourteen. Much of their dysfunction was due to their ignorance.

Now about spiritual gifts, brothers, I do not want you to be ignorant. 1 Corinthians 12:1

A proper understanding of spiritual gifts will lead to their proper use. That leads to the unity of the body of Christ, which will result in an efficient ministry. Conversely, an improper understanding of spiritual gifts will lead to improper usage. That leads to disruption within the body of Christ, which always results in an inefficient ministry. Compare those two tracks:

When you consider what happens downstream, a proper understanding about spiritual gifts is critical.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men. Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12:4-7

When In Corinth. . . by Pastor Tom Mercer5

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IN This Issue

Small Groups

Personality Profile

Spiritual Gifts Inventory

UNDERSTANDING aEFFECTIVE USE aORGANIZATIONAL COHERENCE aWORLDCHANGE

IGNORANCE aABUSE aORGANIZATIONAL INCOHERENCE aWORLDLY

FOUR CRITICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS:

1. They are undeserved. Spiritual gifts are what they are—gifts. A gift (charisma) is, by its very nature, an act of grace (the literal definition of charisma). You deserve a salary, but you humbly recognize a gift as something you don’t deserve. There is nothing you have done to earn or deserve your spiritual gift(s).

2. They are designed to serve others. That’s why any gift expression will not primarily be self-serving. That does not mean that there is no personal benefit in using your gifts; we develop great confidence and esteem when we discover what it is that God allows us to do well. But spiritual gifts are simply different ways we serve others (diakonia). They are not designed to promote personal growth, but for the unity and encouragement of the body of Christ, the church.

3. They are effective. There is spiritual energy (energema) behind a spiritual gift. You would expect that, any time God’s Spirit works, the results would be pretty significant. If you have the spiritual gift of teaching, people will learn spiritual concepts. If you have the spiritual gift of leadership, you will not be taking a walk by yourself. If you have the spiritual gift of encouragement, people will walk away feeling better about their situation.

4. They bring the body of Christ a greater sense of oneness. When a variety of instruments come together to make beautiful music, the result is a symphony. Likewise, spiritual gifts dovetail together to provide the body with a fully functioning ministry (sumpheron). Even though individual instruments can be recognized when the orchestra plays, the audience enjoys the fullness of the corporate effort. That’s the picture of a symphonic church—where individual effort is appreciated and recognized, but where the church is seen as a collective representative of what Jesus offers the world.

So, by definition, spiritual gifts are undeserved (charisma) special abilities given and controlled by the Holy Spirit (pneumatikos) through which a believer successfully (energema) serves others (diakonia) and thereby brings the body of Christ together (sumpheron).

The dissonance of the Corinthian Philharmonic is not our standard. So pick up your sticks or your horn or your bow and settle in. The world is watching. And listening.

UNDERSTANDING aEFFECTIVE USE aORGANIZATIONAL COHERENCE aWORLDCHANGE

IGNORANCE aABUSE aORGANIZATIONAL INCOHERENCE aWORLDLY

This SHAPE Profile is designed to help you find your fit in ministry.

Each letter stands for an area that God has uniquely designed you for worldchange.

S – Spiritual Gifts H – Heart A – Abilities P – Personality E – Experiences

Every week in your small group, you will be asked to share your homework and findings from this profile. So please come prepared with the finished section in your book and be ready to share how God has shaped you for ministry.

You will find a “Spiritual Gifts Inventory” and a “Personality Profile” in the back for you to use, and a “SHAPE Summary” as an insert. Write all your answers on the “SHAPE Summary” and bring it to your small group along with this profile.

Date Week Weekend Message Small Group DiscussionMay 9-10 Week 1 SHAPE Intro DesignMay 16-17 Week 2 Spiritual Gifts Spiritual GiftsMay 23-24 Week 3 Spiritual Gifts Heart and AbilitiesMay 30-31 Week 4 Heart and Abilities Personality and ExperiencesJune 6-7 Week 5 Personality and Experiences Put it All Together and BBQ

Before each section of the profile, you will find some simple directions that will help you complete the profile in a timely and beneficial manner.

Our goal for you is that after this series and small group time, you discover God’s unique design for your life and start serving in a ministry. All throughout our SHAPE series, you will have opportunities on the weekend to sign up for a ministry through our Serve City emphasis. Please drop by the Serve City tent to find your fit.

Thank you for being part of a small group and for taking the time to find your meaningful role.

The small group team.

For the Good of the Church by Pastor Tom Mercer

Liberal or conservative, traditionalist or progressive, Democrat or Republican—it doesn’t matter. Regardless of political persuasion, the success of any Presidency requires a Legislature that cares more for their nation than their careers. More often than not, Congress seems to occupy the same Capitol, but not the same country. And, more often than not, that seems to be the story of the church as well—at times, we can seem to share a facility but not a faith. Like Democrats and Republicans, the Baptist and the Pentecostal must come together. People don’t have to agree on everything in order to be committed to a great cause. But if they can’t support one another in light of their differences, well, so much for the cause!

In Matthew 16:18, Jesus declared His vision for His church. “I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome

it.” That not only describes a model of effectiveness (doing the right thing—building a vehicle to communicate the good news of His love to the world), but also a model of efficiency (doing it the right way—in such a way as to overcome the enemy).

Christ’s church will never fulfill her mission if we can’t figure out who the enemy is. Perhaps one of the most fascinating ironies in ministry (if not the most embarrassing) is this—the very element of our collective faith that was

intended to bring God’s people together has actually become the most divisive! That’s why we must always return to the Scriptures to get our bearings. And the Scriptures are clear—when we disagree about a particular idea, love rules. Love trumps opinions. Love trumps doctrinal disagreements.

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

There you have the bottom line. Without love, no accomplishment would ever bear God’s stamp of approval—not even if we were doing the most extremely “spiritual” things imaginable, perhaps so extreme they would be ridiculous to even seriously suggest. The Apostle muses about what his list might look like; “Let’s see…no one can speak every human language or dialect or pretend to communicate with angels the way they interact with each other. No one can rightly claim to understand all mysteries or claim to have all knowledge. No one would ever suggest that it’s feasible to move the Sierra Nevada down to Victorville so those good folks at HDC could get some relief from the heat. No one is required to give all they have away and no one in their right mind is actually volunteering for martyrdom.” But even if we could, even if we did, even if we were…it wouldn’t matter unless we could embrace each other through it all. We’ve met the enemy, and he’s not us.

Spiritual gifts were never intended to provide hierarchy, only efficiency. A gift is not deserved, it’s an act of grace. I don’t know what spiritual gifts you will eventually discover God put inside of you, but when you do, keep them in perspective. If yours makes you feel more spiritual, more Godly, more superior than your “less enlightened” or “less-gifted” brethren, then you just flat out need to get over yourself.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:1-3

Week 1 – DesignBefore you attend your small group this week, take some time to read this study, look up the Bible verses, and answer the questions. Plan to share what you have learned with your group.

1. What did you learn from this week’s message?

Designed by GodHave you ever known a pair of identical twins? Before you get to know them, it seems impossible to tell them apart – but if you spend enough time with them, it becomes difficult to mix them up. Their voices, their personalities, and even their physical features become much easier to identify.

Every human being is uniquely crafted by God to be different from every other human that has ever lived (like snowflakes – no two are alike). So even before you became a follower of Christ – in fact, even before you were born, God was engineering your body, molding your personality, and even orchestrating your life experiences and environment that influence your emotional and spiritual outlook. You are uniquely designed by God!

2. Read Psalm 139:13-16 slowly and carefully, pondering each phrase. How do you respond to the fact that you are fearfully and wonderfully made by God? What evidence can you point to that God has made you unique?

3. What might be some things that would cause us to doubt that we are so well designed? Do you ever think that He made a mistake? Is there anything about the way God has designed you that is hard to accept?

Designed with PurposeGod’s design for every Christ follower is not just unique, but intentional. He has specific plans for each of us to accomplish, and He has added special built-in features that make us ready for those tasks. He is the Master Builder, and not only are His plans perfect, but the way He has built us is perfect for those plans.

4. Read Ephesians 2:8-10. God saves us by His grace, so that we will be useful for good works. How do you feel about being uniquely designed for certain good things? Do you want to be used by God? What kinds of things might He have in mind for you?

Designed for PowerEvery Christ follower is uniquely designed so that God’s power will be put on display in the good things we do – God’s power, not ours. Each of us is like a brush in the hand of the Artist, a hammer in the hand of the Framer, a scalpel in the hand of the Surgeon, or a keyboard under the fingers of a Musician. No one is impressed by the type of brush the artist uses, they admire the painting and the talent of the artist. Likewise, we are tools that are designed with different tasks in mind, not so that the world will marvel at our elegance, but so that the world will marvel at the skill and love and grace of the Creator.

5. Read 2 Timothy 1:7-9 and Acts 1:7-8. God has given us not only a special design, but the power of the Holy Spirit to accomplish His work. What kinds of thoughts cause you to doubt the power of God that these verses describe? Now read Joshua 1:5-9. What are some steps to remedy our fear and doubt about the power of God?

Homework for next week: Complete the Spiritual Gifts Inventory before you attend your small group.

Week 2 – Spiritual GiftsBefore you attend your group this week, make sure that you have completed the Spiritual Gifts Inventory and have put your discoveries on your “SHAPE Summary.”

Importance of Spiritual GiftsEvery believer has at least one gift (and probably more).God expects you to use your gift(s) for the benefit of His people. Every gift is so vital, that even one person not using his gift will harm the rest of the church.

The Spiritual Gifts Inventory provided at the back will not decide for you what your gift is, but it can help give you some idea about what it might be. Once you have a rough idea, discuss the possibilities with another believer who knows you well. Pray about how you might use your gift, and then start doing something. As you begin to use your gift, God will either confirm your suspicions, sharpen them, or change your mind completely. In other words, once you start serving, God will direct you over time until you become more certain and skilled in your gifts. But you will never find out your gifts if you don’t start serving in some way.

1. What did you learn from this week’s message?

2. Every Christ follower also has been given at least one (and sometimes more than one) spiritual gift, which will be discussed more in future lessons. For now, read the following verses and jot down your observations about the purpose of those gifts, where they come from, how important they are, and why it is so necessary that everyone use the gifts that God has given.

Romans 12:1-8,

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 and 1 Corinthians 12:14-21,

Ephesians 4:11-16,

1 Peter 4:8-11

3. When you gather with your small group this week, talk about your possible gifts, how they might be used, and any suggestions that others may have for you. Make sure that everyone gets to share about their gifts this week, and plan your time accordingly.

4. Some groups pass out 3x5 cards to every person and ask them to put their name in the top right corner. Then the group passes those cards around to the rest of the group, and everyone writes at least one positive trait about the person on that card. This can be very affirming, especially if the group knows each other pretty well.

Homework for next week: Read the discussion for next week and answer the questions. Write your answers on the Shape Summary.

Week 3 – Heart and AbilitiesBefore you attend your group this week, use the ideas about Heart and Abilities to think about you’re your passions and skills are. Write your discoveries on your “SHAPE Summary.” When you gather with your group, give each person some time to share what they discovered.

Have you ever tried to use a tool or cooking utensil for the wrong purpose? At the moment, you are simply trying to save time by using whatever is close enough to grab, but in the end it is always frustrating and more time consuming. Using a screwdriver like a hammer or a knife like a can opener is rarely successful and never enjoyable! God has planned tasks for you that not only fit your spiritual gifts, but also fit your passions, desires, and natural abilities. You will never be more joyful than when you are fulfilling those special plans, and you will only be frustrated as long as you keep trying to do things you were never designed to do.

Remember, it is not about you looking good or receiving any of the credit. It is about humbly serving God and doing whatever it is that He has planned for you. Jesus was the perfect example of service.

1. What did you learn from this week’s message?

2. Read Philippians 2:3-11. Most of us say that we want to be a servant (until someone treats us like one). What would be some indicators that we are too focused on ourselves to be useful to God? What clues can you find in this passage what would help us to develop the kind of attitude that Jesus has?

3. If God wants to use both our passions and our abilities, it would be helpful to have some idea of what those things are. Set aside some time to read through the questions on the next page to explore your passions and skills. Write your best answers on your “SHAPE Summary” and share them with your group.

Homework for next week: Read the discussion about personality and experiences and complete the Personality Profile.

HeartWhat are you passionate about?What are your hobbies, collections, or free-time activities?What kinds of sports or outdoor activities do you often enjoy?What kinds of books or magazines do you read?What kinds of topics do you love to talk about?What kinds of issues get you excited or angry?What makes you sad or want to cry?What do you daydream about doing for someone else?What kinds of things could you easily spend all day doing?What kinds of jobs would you love to do even if you didn’t get paid?What do you love doing on your day off?If you were to retire today, what would you want to do with your free time?If you had millions of dollars, what kinds of things would you want to be doing?Are there needs that concern you?What kinds of dreams did you have when you were kid?What particular type of ministry have you thought about this past year?What jobs have you done that were really fulfilling and satisfying?What kinds of things are you willing to do at a moments notice?Would you rather work with your hands or with your mind?

Here is a list of random activities. Which ones do you love to do?I love to design, develop, pioneer, organize, operate, maintain, serve, help, acquire, possess, excel, perform, improve, repair, lead, persevere, follow, prevail, influence, correct

AbilitiesWhat are your strongest skills?

What skills are you currently learning or refining?What kinds of things do other people ask for your help to do?

What kinds of things are you best at in your workplace?What kinds of things do you volunteer to do for other people?

What talent would you exhibit in a “Got Talent” show?What kinds of things have you taught yourself by reading a book or manual?

Are technical things easy for you?Are mechanical things easy for you?

Here is a list of some random abilities – which ones are you really good at doing?Drama, writing, speaking, art, photography, counseling, computers, video editing,

decorating, singing, musical instruments, tutoring, athletics, specific sports, explaining things, leadership, audio equipment, math, science, literature, history, geography,

entertaining, recruiting, interviewing, researching, artist, graphics, evaluating, planning, managing, teaching, editing, promoting, repairing, feeding, recall, resourceful, counting,

classifying, tracking, public relations, welcoming, composing, landscaping, crafts, shopping, exercising, reading, other languages, sign language, building, cleaning, listening

Week 4 – Personality & ExperiencesBefore you attend your group this week, make sure that you have completed the “Personality Profile” and have written your thoughts about your Experiences on the “SHAPE Summary.” When you gather with your group this week, spend some time discussing the Bible verses and questions in this lesson.

PersonalityGod has intentionally designed different personalities so that a great diversity of good things can be accomplished. If everyone was the same, only a few things could be done well. Understanding your own personality will help you to be more successful in fulfilling God’s plan for your life, while understanding other personalities will help you cooperate with the plans that God has for other people in your life.

1. What did you learn from this week’s message?

2. Read Luke 10:38-60. These two sisters were close friends with Jesus, but they had very different personalities. Which one would be most like you – if a special guest was coming to your house, would you be acting more like Mary or Martha?

3. Read this passage carefully. Was Jesus telling Martha that she should never serve her guests? Was Jesus telling Mary that she should never help her sister? What lessons did Luke want his readers to learn from this event?

4. What aspects of your personality make it difficult for you to do what God wants? What aspects make it easier to accomplish His plans?

5. Make sure everyone in your small group gets a chance to talk about his or her personality. Let everyone give some feedback, but make sure that it is positive and not sarcastic or hurtful.

Homework for next week: Help your group plan a picnic, BBQ, or party and bring your fully completed “SHAPE Summary” to discuss. Finish any parts that you didn’t have time to finish previously.

ExperiencesWhether you believe it or not, every experience in your life (both good and bad) can be useful to the Lord for good works. Read what Paul says about his sufferings and bad experiences in 2 Corinthians 1:3-7:

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

Even painful things can be useful, because after God brings us through them, He can use us to bring comfort and empathy to others who are going through similar circumstances. So good and bad, both kinds of events are part of God’s unique design in our lives.

1. What is the best memory you have from your childhood? Can you describe the events as well as the emotions you felt? What kinds of things does this prompt you to do for others?

2. What is the best memory you have in church or at some ministry type event? Did you perform a service to others or receive the benefit of service? Does this encourage you to carry on similar kinds of ministry?

3. What is one painful memory from your past, (be careful – don’t be too graphic or too vindictive in the way you talk about this)? How has God helped you to deal with that pain? Do you think He could use you to help others in a similar circumstance?

Personal Homework: Take some time (maybe more than just one day) to make a list with two columns – one for all the events that brought you joy, and the other for all the events that have brought you pain. Talk to God about how He wants to use those things in your life. Ask Him what He wants you to do for others.

Week 5 – Putting It All TogetherBefore you meet with your group, make sure that you have completed all of the parts to your “SHAPE Summary.”

Now that you have spent time thinking about your Spiritual Gifts, your Heart’s passions, your Abilities, your Personality mix, and your life Experiences, what do you think God wants you to do?

Here are some suggestions:

- You could sign up for Serve City to volunteer in some way at HDC.

- You could find another local agency that is doing something that fits with your SHAPE and volunteer for them.

- Maybe God has plans for you to start a ministry on your own that no one else is doing right now.

- Consider doing something unique for each person in your oikos.

- Your small group could plan an event that would serve your neighborhood or the community.

1. Since the HDC Small Groups will be taking a break for the summer, use this last meeting as a social time to celebrate what you have accomplished during the year (maybe a luau, potluck, barbeque, picnic, or swim party). Also, don’t forget to plan at least a couple gatherings over the summer months so that you can stay in touch as a group.

2. Encourage each other to take at least one or two steps toward doing something about what you have learned from your SHAPE. Ask yourself, “If I knew I could not fail, what would I attempt to do for God through His power?” Tell someone about your ideas and vision for the great things He could accomplish through you.

3. And finally, DO SOMETHING!!

This profile is very simple and is designed to point you in the right direction. Other tests use different titles, have different numbers of categories that are tested, and certainly have different purposes driving their questions. The goal is to understand your natural tendencies, whatever they might be called.

Personality Profile

Self-ControlledI like to:

Reflect before I speakBe in control of my moods

Restrain my reactions

Self-ExpressiveI like to: Express openly what I thinkExpress openly what I feelFeel deeply and think strongly

How expressive are you?

3 2 1 1 2 3

(Circle one number on this scale)

Self-Controlled Self-Expressive(high) (high)(low) (low)

RoutineI like tasks that:Are predictable

Are similar every dayRequire more action that decision

VarietyI like tasks that:Are unpredictableAre different every dayRequire many decisions

What kinds of tasks do you prefer?

3 2 1 1 2 3

(Circle one number on this scale)

Routine Variety(high) (high)(low) (low)

Extrovert I get energy from:

Being with peopleWorking with a team

Focusing on what is happening around me

Introvert I get energy from: Having time aloneWorking alone or one-on-oneFocusing on what is happening inside me

How are you energized? What recharges your inner batteries, so to speak?

3 2 1 1 2 3

(Circle one number on this scale)

Extrovert Introvert(high) (high)(low) (low)

CooperativeI like to:

Work togetherAim for a shared goal

Not have winners and losersEnjoy the process as much as the goal

CompetitiveI like to:Compete against an opponentAim for a personal goalCelebrate victoryWin

How do you usually relate to others?

Your Personality:

3 2 1 1 2 3

(Circle one number on this scale)

Cooperative Competitive(high) (high)(low) (low)

High Low High LowIntroverted m m m m ExtrovertedVariety m m m m RoutineSelf-Expressive m m m m Self-ControlledCompetitive m m m m Cooperative

Use your understanding of your personality to help you figure out what kinds of ministry you are designed for, and also for the kinds of ministry you are not designed for. A highly introverted person

might not be good on the welcome team, while an extroverted person would thrive in that role.

What kinds of things would be good for your personality mix?

__1. Do you enjoy assisting leaders to relieve them from their particular job?

__2. When you hear of someone in the hospital, do you feel a desire to go and comfort them?

__3. Do you manage your money well in order to give generously to the Lord’s work?

__4. Do you adapt easily to a different culture than your own?

__5. Are you burdened to meet non-Christians in order to win them to Christ?

__6. Are you single and enjoying it?

__7. Have you had the desire to care for the spiritual needs of a group of people?

__8. Are you effective in persuading others to move toward biblical objectives?

__9. Do you almost always feel certain God will keep His promises in spite of external circumstances?

__10. Do you effectively apply biblical truth to your own life?

__11. Have you often been able to encourage people to trust God in time of need?

__12. Do you feel a lot of compassion for those who are suffering physically, and do you think of ways to help them?

__13. Do you enjoy giving to the Lord’s work without asking whether or not you can afford it right now?

__14. Do you know where you are going, and see other Christians following you?

__15. Are you able to organize ideas, people, things, and time for more effective ministry?

__16. Do you sense an unusual assurance from God that He will do the impossible to fulfill a special work?

__17. Do you find it easy to organize your thoughts and explain them to people?

__18. Do you find you are a good and patient listener?

__19. Do you study and read a great deal in order to learn biblical truth?

__20. Do you accurately recognize whether a teaching is of God, of Satan, or of human origin?

__21. Do you enjoy doing routine tasks that lead to more effective ministry by others?

IN ANSWERING THESE, PLACE THE APPROPRIATE NUMERICAL VALUE IN THE LINE NEXT TO EACH QUESTION, DEPENDING ON WHICH RESPONSE IS TRUE FOR YOU.

MUCH = 3SOME = 2LITTLE = 1

NOT AT ALL = 0

SPIRITUAL GIFTS INVENTORY

__22. Are you thrilled when someone asks you to help financially in some project, seeing this as a great honor or privilege?

__23. Do you have a knack for making strangers feel comfortable in your home?

__24. Do you relate well to Christians of different races, languages, or cultures?

__25. Do you find yourself regularly sharing the Gospel message with non-believers?

__26. Do you enjoy taking care of physical tasks for the church?

__27. Do you enjoy the responsibility for the spiritual well-being of a group of Christians?

__28. Are you able to make effective and efficient plans to accomplish goals of a group?

__29. Does “in-depth” Bible study come easy for you?

__30. Have others encouraged you to have a special ministry for the sick and suffering, or commented on your suitability for such a ministry?

__31. Do you take unexpected guests in stride, without apology for how your house may look?

__32. Do you find it natural to explain that Jesus Christ died for our sins, and then to see a positive response by your listeners?

__33. Does your desire to serve the Lord overshadow thoughts of getting married?

__34. When someone asks a favor of you, do you feel grateful they asked you?

__35. Have other people asked you to help them “get organized”?

__36. Has God done miraculous works for you and others in response to your prayers?

__37. Have you been effective in communicating biblical truth to others so that their lives change in knowledge, attitudes, or conduct?

__38. Do you enjoy encouraging people who are going through personal problems and trials to “hang in there”?

__39. Do you feel certain you understand people’s motives?

__40. Would you be happy as a teacher’s aide in a Bible class?

__41. Do you enjoy making your home available to those in the Lord’s service for an extended period of time?

__42. Do you think often of people in other cultures who have never heard of Christ?

__43. Has sexual fulfillment generally been low on your priority list?

__44. Are you always looking for jobs to do and to get done?

__45. Do others follow you because you have expert knowledge which contributes to the ministry of the church?

__46. Do you have a knack for working out solutions to complicated problems in life?

__47. When you hear a spiritual question, are you anxious both to find and give the answer?

__48. Has God used you to get lazy or back-slidden Christians moving in the right direction again?

__49. Are you able to distinguish key and important facts of Scripture?

__50. Do you see through a phony before his phoniness is recognized by others?

__51. Do you feel deeply moved when confronted with urgent financial needs in God’s work?

__52. Do you share joyfully how you became a Christian in a way that is meaningful to non- Christians?

__53. Do you feel indifferent toward getting married?

__54. Are you able to see what needs to be done in a particular task in the Lord’s work, and then do it?

__55. Have you been able to help people who have wandered out of Christian fellowship to come back?

__56. Does planning come easily for you?

__57. Do you seem to believe God’s promises to a greater degree than most Christians?

__58. Do suggestions you make for solving problems regularly prove to be right?

__59. Do you enjoy acquiring and mastering new facts and principles of Bible truth?

__60. Do you feel great satisfaction for having helped someone else to be successful?

__61. Are you patient when you spend time with someone who is suffering, rather than wanting to leave as soon as you can?

__62. Do you enjoy having new people in your home?

__63. Do you make friends easily with people from different cultures?

__64. Have you been able to “feed” needy Christians by showing them relevant passages in the Bible and praying with them?

__65. Do you usually think about what can be done in the future rather than what is being done right now?

__66. Are you able to apply truth from the Bible to the specific needs of the Body?

__67. Have other people ever told you that you ought to be teaching on a regular basis?

__68. Have you perceived accurately a person under satanic influence?

A BIBLICAL LIST OF SPIRITUAL GIFTS:This list (all but celibacy, hospitality and missionary) is derived from three New Testament passages: Romans 12, 1 Corinthians 12 and Ephesians 4. Note, since none of the three primary lists are complete, and the three of them together are not complete, it is reasonable to assume that there may be more than we have identified here. Some have felt that intercession (a special ability to remain faithful in prayer for long periods of time), martyrdom, voluntary poverty, and exorcism should be considered gifts. There may be others as well.

1 :: ServiceThe gift of service is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to identify the unmet needs involved in a task related to God’s work, and to make use of available resources to meet those needs and help accomplish the desired goals (Romans 12:7).

2 :: TeachingThe gift of teaching is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to communicate spiritual truth in such a way that others will learn (Romans 12:7, 28-29, Ephesians 4:11).

3 :: ExhortationThe gift of exhortation is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to minister words of comfort, consolation, encouragement and counsel in such a way that others feel helped and healed (Romans 12:8).

4 :: GivingThe gift of giving is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to contribute their material resources to the work of the Lord with extreme liberality and cheerfulness (Romans 12:8).

5 :: LeadershipThe gift of leadership is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to set goals in accordance with God’s purpose for the future and to communicate in such a way that others voluntarily and harmoniously work together to accomplish those goals for the glory of God (Romans 12:8).

6 :: MercyThe gift of mercy is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to feel genuine empathy and compassion for individuals who suffer distressing physical, mental or emotional problems, and to translate that compassion into cheerfully-done deeds that reflect Christ’s love and alleviate the suffering (Romans 12:8).

7 :: WisdomThe gift of wisdom is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to receive insight into how given knowledge may best be applied to specific needs arising in the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:8).

8 :: KnowledgeThe gift of knowledge is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to discover, accumulate, analyze and clarify spiritual truth (1 Corinthians 12:8).

9 :: FaithThe gift of faith is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to discern with extraordinary confidence the will and purposes of God for the future of His work (1 Corinthians 12:9).

10 :: Discerning the spiritsThe gift of discerning of spirits is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to know with assurance whether certain behavior purported to be of God is in reality divine, human or satanic (1 Corinthians 12:10).

11 :: HelpsThe gift of helps is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to invest the talents they have in the life and ministry of other members of the Body, thus helping others to increase the effectiveness of their spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:28).

12 :: AdministrationThe gift of administration is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to understand clearly the immediate and long-range goals of a particular part of the Body of Christ and to devise and execute effective plans for the accomplishment of those goals (1 Corinthians 12:28).

13 :: EvangelistThe gift of evangelist is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to share the gospel with unbelievers in such a way that men and women become Jesus’ disciples and responsible members of the Body of Christ on a regular basis (Ephesians 4:11).

14 :: PastorThe gift of pastor is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to assume a long-term personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare of a group of believers (Ephesians 4:11).

NOTE: You may possess the gift of pastor but never hold the New Testament office of pastor. Likewise, the specific duties of someone who holds the office will vary, depending on other gifts he may possess. For example, a man holding the office of pastor coupled with the gifts of leadership and administration may not want to spend much time preaching. In fact, unless God has gifted him so, it would be a disadvantage for himself and the church. Likewise, a pastor who has the gift of teaching may spend less time evangelizing and administrating. The concept of a pastoral all-star who should spend his time doing everything is not only unbiblical, it doesn’t work. When one understands the concept of spiritual gifts, a multiple-pastoral staff, with each pastor involved in different aspects of the church’s ministry, has great credibility.

15 :: CelibacyThe gift of celibacy is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to remain single and satisfied, in order to more effectively serve Christ. (1 Corinthians 7:7).

16 :: HospitalityThe gift of hospitality is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to provide open house and warm welcome for strangers in need of food and lodging (1 Peter 4:9-10).

17 :: MissionaryThe gift of missionary is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to minister whatever other spiritual gifts they have in a second culture (Ephesians 3:6-7).

NOTE: To help you in the process of “spiritual gifts discovery” HDC provides a “Spiritual Gifts Questionnaire.” The remaining gifts listed here are not part of that questionnaire.

18 :: ProphecyThe gift of prophecy is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to boldly communicate a message of God to His people. (Romans 12:6, I Corinthians 12:10, 28-30, Ephesians 4:11).

19 :: ApostleThe gift of apostle is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to assume and exercise general leadership over a number of churches with an extraordinary authority in spiritual matters that is spontaneously recognized and appreciated by those churches (1 Corinthians 12:28-29, Ephesians 4:11).

NOTE: The gifts of prophecy and apostle described here have continued throughout church history. But, they should not be confused with the offices of apostle and prophet, which were both foundational to the church and ended in the first century when God’s revelation of the New Testament record was completed (1 Corinthians 9:1, Ephesians 2:20, Revelation 21:14).

20 :: MiraclesThe gift of miracles is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to serve as human intermediaries through whom it pleases God to perform powerful acts that are perceived by observers to have altered the ordinary course of nature (1 Corinthians 12:10, 28-29).

21 :: TonguesThe gift of tongues is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to utilize for ministry a language they have never learned. (Acts 2:4, 1 Corinthians 12:28-29).

22 :: InterpretationThe gift of interpretation is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to make known in the vernacular the message of one who speaks in tongues (1 Corinthians 12:10, 30).

23 :: HealingThe gift of healing is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to serve as human intermediaries through whom it pleases God to cure illness and restore health apart from the use of natural means (1 Corinthians 12:9, 28-30).

NOTE: The “sign gifts” (miracles, healing, tongues, interpretation of tongues) are not incorporated into HDC’s public worship services or other programs. We do not discount the biblical record or the potential power inherent in such manifestations. But it is clear to us that much of what we see happening today in the name of the Holy Spirit does not fit the biblical record. This is not to say that we do not believe God is currently healing or working miracles in the lives of His children. We simply do not believe that it is normative for Him to do so through human intermediaries.

Some of our people practice a personal prayer language. Although such experiences have historically been categorized as the spiritual gift of tongues, we do not draw that parallel. The Bible describes the gift of tongues as the supernatural ability to speak a discernable foreign language that an individual had never before known and, therefore, would be unable to speak apart from Holy Spirit filling. We believe that personal prayer languages are abiblical. That is, they are not described in the Scriptures. This is not to say that they are invalid or unbiblical (against Scripture). But they should not be confused with the New Testament gift of tongues.

HIGH DESERT CHURCH 14545 Hook Blvd., Victorville, CA 92394 760.245.2415 www.highdesertchurch.com

SHAPE PROFILEWe are excited that you have decided to discover how God has shaped you for ministry. We believe that He has uniquely designed you for worldchange. Our hope is that God will use this packet to help you fulfill His will for your life.

After completing this packet, please take a few minutes and summarize on this page the things that you’ve learned. It will provide you a bird’s eye view of how God wants to specifically use you as you fulfill your divine purpose throughout your life.

Spiritual Gifts _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

Heart _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

Abilities _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

Personality _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

Experiences _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________ _______________________________________

Rev. 4/09

_____________ NAME DATE

ADD UP THE SCORES FROM THE QUESTION NUMBERS IN EACH ROW, PLACING THE SUM IN THE TOTAL COLUMN.

Q# ANS. Q# ANS. Q# ANS. Q# ANS. TOTAL GIFT

Row A 26 + 34 + 44 +

54 =

Row B 17 + 37 +

47 + 67 =

Row C 11 + 18 +

38 + 48 =

Row D 3 + 13 +

22 + 51 =

Row E 8 + 14 +

45 + 65 =

Row F 2 + 12 +

30 + 61 =

Row G 10 + 46 +

58 + 66 =

Row H 19 + 29 +

49 + 59 =

Row I 9 + 16 +

36 + 57 =

Row J 20 + 39 +

50 + 68 =

Row K 1 + 21 +

40 + 60 =

Row L 15 + 28 +

35 + 56 =

Row M 5 + 25 +

32 + 52 =

Row N 7 + 27 +

55 + 64 =

Row O 6 + 33 +

43 + 53 =

Row P 23 + 31 +

41 + 62 =

Row Q 4 + 24 +

42 + 63 =

NOTE: CAPITAL LETTERS IN EACH OF THE ABOVE ROWS CORRESPOND TO THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS DEFINED

IN THE "SPIRITUAL GIFTS" PHILOSOPH OF MINISTRY.

A. SERVICE G. WISDOM M. EVANGELIST

B. TEACHING H. KNOWLEDGE N. PASTOR

C. EXHORTATION I. FAITH O. CELIBACY

D. GIVING J. DISCERNING OF SPIRITS P. HOSPITALITY

E. LEADERSHIP K. HELPS Q. MISSIONARY

F. MERCY L. ADMINISTRATION

SPIRITUAL GIFTS EVALUATION