Everyone who becomes a Christian is given a spiritual gift package. (Everyone. There are no exceptions. See 1 Peter 4:10.) God takes into consideration our personality, our environment and our passions in life. He gives us a gift (or gifts) that will make serving Him and others an exciting, renewing experience.
Encouraging Spiritual Gifts
1. Model and use your own gifts.
Actively use your gifts. Talk about them. Talk about using them. Talk about how you feel when you are using your gifts as opposed to serving in areas in which you are not gifted.
(“I don’t call you during the week because my job description tells me I have to. I call you because God’s given me the gift of shepherding and I just can’t wait around till the weekend to see if you’re doing okay!”)
2. Notice and appreciate other's gifts.
Find people in your church who are working in their gifted areas. Have them come and talk to your youth group about how it feels to serve in the way God created them to. Affirm gifts you see in action.
(“I’m sure glad Jim has the gift of leadership. Didn’t he do a great job of getting everyone excited and ready for the rafting trip?”)
3. Look for and encourage budding gifts in the kids in your youth group.
Install a curiosity about gifts. Talk about how the group would suffer if they decided not to use their gifts.
(“I really appreciate the way you took time to talk to Kate when she was down. She seems to feel better now. I think you probably have the gift of encouragement. What if you hadn’t been willing to use your gift?”)
The New Testament Speaks of Spiritual Gifts
- Romans 12:1-8
- 1 Corinthians 12:1-30
- Ephesians 4:11-16
- 1 Peter 4:8-11
From: ABZ’s of Adventist Youth Ministry
Permission to copy for use in the local congregation or group.
