Women of the Bible
Lesson Twelve
YOUR PLACE IN MINISTRY
KEY VERSE:
(Purpose of the gifts of the Holy Spirit)
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying
of the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:12)
INTRODUCTION
While it is interesting to study the position of women in the early Church, there is a
greater purpose than study for the sake of factual knowledge. That purpose is to discover
your own place of ministry in the Body of Christ.
Each woman has a special ministry in the Church. Spiritual gifts enable women to fulfill
this ministry. This lesson will identify
the spiritual gifts, help you recognize that you have one or more of these gifts, and help
you discover your gift. Please note that while this course is geared towards women in general,
many of the principles found can apply to men as well.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
After the resurrection of Christ and prior to His ascension to Heaven, Jesus gave
important instructions to His followers:
And behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you; but tarry ye in the
city of Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high. (Luke 24:49)
The promise to which Jesus was referring was the Holy Spirit. Jesus had
spoken of this previously to His followers:
And I will pray the Father and He shall give you another Comforter, that He
may abide with you for ever;
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him
not, neither knoweth Him; but ye know Him; for he dwelleth with you, and
shall be in you.
I will not leave you comfortless. (John 14:16-18)
The Holy Spirit would be a comfort, a guiding force, and a teacher. The Holy Spirit
would have many functions, the most important of which was to endue them with power
to spread the Gospel:
But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and
ye shall be witnesses unto me...to the uttermost part of the earth. (Acts 1:8)
Following Jesus's instructions, the believers waited in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit. Read
Acts 2 for the account of the initial coming of the Holy Spirit.
THE GIFTS OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
Jesus left His followers with a commission to extend the Gospel message to the ends of
the earth. The power of the Holy Spirit enabled them to fulfill this task. Part of this
"power" of the Holy Spirit was special gifts which the Holy Spirit gave believers to equip
them to minister to others.
WHAT ARE SPIRITUAL GIFTS?
The word "spiritual" means "characterized or controlled by the Holy Spirit." A gift is
something freely given from one person to another. A spiritual gift is a supernatural
ability given by the Holy Spirit to a believer to minister as part of the Body of Christ.
There is a difference between the gift of the Holy Spirit and gifts of the Holy Spirit. The
"gift" of the Holy Spirit occurred at Pentecost (Acts 2) when the Holy Spirit came in
answer to the promise of Jesus:
And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter...Even
the Spirit of truth...(John 14:16-17a)
The gift of the Holy Spirit has already been given in answer to this promise. Gifts of the
Holy Spirit are supernatural abilities given by the Holy Spirit to believers to enable
effective ministry:
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with
them, and confirming the word with signs following. (Mark 16:20)
GIFTS AND TALENTS
There is a difference between spiritual gifts and natural talents. A talent is a natural ability
inherited at birth or developed through training. A spiritual gift is a supernatural ability
which does not come by inheritance or training. It is a special ability given by the Holy
Spirit to be used for specific spiritual purposes.
It is possible that a natural talent may be sanctioned [approved and blessed] by the Holy
Spirit after one becomes a believer. When this occurs the talent then becomes a gift as
well as a talent. For example, a person may have a natural talent in administration because
of training he has received. After baptism in the Holy Spirit this natural talent may be
sanctioned by the Holy Spirit and he may be used in the spiritual gift of administration.
Spiritual gifts provide spiritual capabilities far greater than the finest natural talents.
Although you should use all your natural talents for the work of the Lord, you still need
spiritual gifts.
PURPOSES OF THE GIFTS
The purposes of the gifts of the Holy Spirit are listed in Ephesians 4:12-15:
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying
of the body of Christ;
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of
Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about
with every wind of doctrine by the slight of men, and cunning craftiness,
whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into Him in all things, which is
the head, even Christ. (Ephesians 4:12-15)
According to this passage, the purposes of the Holy Spirit are to:
Perfect the saints.
Promote the work of the ministry.
Edify Christ and the Church.
The objectives or goals of spiritual gifts are that we will:
Become united in the faith.
Develop our knowledge of Christ.
Develop in perfection, with Christ as our model.
Become stable, not deceived by false doctrines.
Mature spiritually in Christ.
DISTRIBUTION OF THE GIFTS
Each believer has at least one spiritual gift:
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to
another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (I Peter 4:10)
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man
severally as He will. (I Corinthians 12:7,11)
Because every believer has at least one spiritual gift, we each have a responsibility to
discover and use our gift. You will not be judged by how many spiritual gifts you have.
You will be judged by your faithfulness to use the spiritual gifts you have been given.
The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 confirms this truth.
There are many spiritual gifts, but no believer has all of the gifts of the Holy Spirit:
Are all apostles? are all prophets? Are all teachers? are all workers of
miracles?
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
(I Corinthians 12:29-30)
A person may have more than one gift, but no one has all the gifts of the Spirit. If he did,
then he would have no need of others in the Body of Christ.
MANY GIFTS FROM ONE SOURCE
The Bible indicates there are many gifts which come from one source. The source of
spiritual gifts is the Holy Spirit. He gives and operates these gifts in the lives of
believers:
Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.
And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh
all in all.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal.
(I Corinthians 12:4-7)
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether
prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering; or he that teacheth on teaching;
Or he that exhorteth on exhortation: he that giveth let him do it with
simplicity; he that ruleth with diligence; he that showeth mercy, with
cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6-8)
There is one source of spiritual gifts but there are many different gifts. No gift is more
important than another. Your position in the Body of Christ is compared to parts of a
human body. Just as in the human body, the smaller parts such as the eye have important
functions, the seemingly "small" gift is often quite important in the functioning of the
church. Some gifts involve greater responsibilities, but no gift is more important than
another.
STEWARDS OF GIFTS
You are only a steward of spiritual gifts. A steward is someone who does not own that
with which he works. He uses something given to him by another person for the benefit
of the person who gave it to him. You are a steward for Jesus Christ:
Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the
mysteries of God. (I Corinthians 4:1)
Part of the mysteries of which you are a steward are spiritual gifts. They are given to you
by the Holy Spirit to minister effectively for Jesus:
As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to
another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (I Peter 4:10)
As a steward, you will be judged on the basis of your faithfulness to use the gifts you are
given:
Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful.
(I Corinthians 4:2)
THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT
The main passages identifying spiritual gifts are Romans 12:1-8, I Corinthians 12:1-31,
Ephesians 4:1-16, and I Peter 4:7-11. Remember that these gifts are special abilities from
God to minister in different ways. While there may be some evidences of these in all our
lives it does not necessarily mean we have a certain gift. For example, all believers are to
give to the work of the Lord with tithes and offerings, but the gift of giving is an unusual
generosity prompted by the Spirit of God.
For study purposes we have divided the gifts into four major categories:
Special Gifts, Speaking Gifts, Serving Gifts, Sign Gifts
The Bible does not make such a division of the gifts. We have made it to help you
remember the various gifts more easily.
SPECIAL GIFTS:
The first group of spiritual gifts are what we will call special gifts. We use this title for
these gifts because each one is a special leadership position in the church. The special
leadership gifts are:
Apostles:
An apostle is one who has a special ability to develop new churches in different places
and cultures and to oversee a number of churches as a supervisor. Apostle means "a
delegate, one sent with full power and authority to act for another." The apostle has a
special authority or ability to extend the Gospel throughout the world by developing
organized bodies of believers. Modern terms used by the church for an apostle are
missionary and church-planter.
Prophets:
There are two prophetic gifts. One is the special gift of being a prophet. The other is the
speaking gift of prophecy. In general, prophecy refers to speaking under the special
inspiration of God. It is the special ability to receive and communicate an immediate message of
God to His people through a divinely-anointed utterance. A prophet is a leader in the
church as well as having the speaking gift of prophecy.
Evangelists:
An evangelist has a special ability to share the Gospel with non-believers in a way that
men and women respond and become responsible members of the Body of Christ. The
meaning of the word "evangelist" is "one who brings good news."
Pastors:
Pastors are leaders who assume long-term personal responsibility for the spiritual welfare
of a group of believers. A pastor spiritually cares for those under his authority, teaching
them the
Word of God and ministering to their personal and spiritual needs.
Teachers:
Teachers are believers who have the special ability of communicating God's Word
effectively in such a way that others learn and apply what is taught. The special gift of
being a teacher differs from the speaking gift of teaching just as being a prophet differs
from the speaking gift of prophecy. All believers do not have the special gift of teaching
or the speaking gift of teaching, but all believers are to be involved in sharing the Gospel
(Hebrews 5:12).
SPEAKING GIFTS
Five gifts have been given the title of speaking gifts because they all involve speaking
aloud. The speaking gifts are:
Prophecy:
A person with the gift of prophecy speaks by the special inspiration of God to
communicate an immediate message to His people. The speaking gift of prophecy alone
does not mean you have the special gift of being a prophet. God sets prophets [who also
have the gift of prophecy] in special leadership positions in the church. People with the
gift of prophecy do not necessarily have the special leadership position of a prophet. They
simply deliver special messages under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
Teaching:
As in the example of prophets and prophecy, the speaking gift of teaching does not mean
a person has the special gift of being a teacher. God sets teachers [who also have the gift
of teaching] in special leadership positions in the church. The speaking gift of teaching
involves communicating God's Word but does not necessarily include leadership
responsibilities in the Church.
Exhortation:
The gift of exhortation is the ability to draw close to individuals in time of need,
counseling them correctly with the Word of God. To "exhort" literally means to call a
person aside, to advise, recommend, admonish, encourage, or comfort. Exhortation is the
ability to give wise spiritual counsel. People with this gift minister words of comfort,
consolation, and encouragement in such a way that others are helped. A modern term for
this gift would be the gift of counseling.
Word Of Wisdom:
The word of wisdom is the ability to receive insight as to how knowledge may be applied
to specific needs. Given the facts in any situation, a person with this gift knows how to
apply the facts to bring a wise solution.
The word of wisdom is a divine insight into people and situations that is not obvious to
the average person. This God-given wisdom is combined with an understanding of what
to do and how to do it. This gift is not called "the gift of wisdom" because it does not
give one the total wisdom of God. It is a word of wisdom, just a portion of God's infinite
wisdom. The gift of the word of wisdom does not come through education. Its source is
God.
Word Of Knowledge:
The word of knowledge is the ability to understand things which others do not know and
cannot comprehend and to share this knowledge with them under the inspiration of the
Spirit. Like the word of wisdom, it is not called "the gift of knowledge." It is the gift of
the "word of knowledge" because it is only a portion of God's knowledge. The gift of the
word of knowledge is revelatory knowledge. It is knowledge revealed by God, not
obtained by education or study.
SERVING GIFTS:
There are nine spiritual gifts which we will call the serving gifts. These gifts serve the
church by providing structure, organization, and support in both spiritual and practical
areas. The serving gifts are:
Discerning Of Spirits:
Discerning of spirits is the ability to evaluate people, doctrines, and situations as to
whether they are of God or of Satan. In no way should discerning of spirits be confused
with a critical
spirit. This gift is a spiritual gift and spiritual things are not discerned with the natural
mind.
The gift is limited to the discerning of spirits, it is not just discerning in general. This gift
serves the church by identifying people who would split the fellowship with wrong
motives, doctrines, and attitudes.
Leadership:
The spiritual gift of leadership is the ability to set goals in accord with God's purpose and
to communicate these goals to others. A person with this gift motivates and leads others
to accomplish these goals for the glory of God.
Leadership is mentioned in Romans 12 and the qualification for this gift is that one leads
[rules] with diligence. Diligence means to show constant care and effort to accomplish
what is undertaken. It means to be industrious, attentive, and to persevere.
Administration:
The gift of administration is actually called governments in the Bible. A person with the
gift of administration has the ability to direct, organize, and make decisions on behalf of
others. The meaning of the word administration is similar to the word used for a pilot
steering a ship. A similar word is used for both in the Bible.
A person with this gift is responsible for direction and decision making. Like the pilot of a
ship he may not be the owner of the boat, but he has been entrusted with the responsibility
of directing it on its voyage.
The gifts of leadership and administration both involve organizational skills which result
in the accomplishing of spiritual goals. Often a believer will have both the gifts of
leadership and administration function together.
If a person has the gift of administration but does not have the gift of leadership, he will
need someone with that gift to work with him. A person with the gift of administration
has the ability to direct, organize, and make decisions, but without the gift of leadership
he does not have the ability to motivate and work with people to achieve goals.
Faith:
A person with the gift of faith has a special ability to believe with supernatural confidence
and trust God in difficult circumstances. It is special faith to meet a special need. He
knows God is going to do the impossible. He exercises this faith even when other
believers do not believe.
The Bible teaches that each person has a certain amount of faith given to him as a gift of
God (Romans 12:3b). It also teaches that we are saved through faith (Ephesians 2:8).
But the gift of faith is an unusual ability to believe God in every area of life. This faith
knows no impossibilities and puts no limits on what God can do.
Giving:
A person with the gift of giving has a special ability to give material goods and financial
resources to the work of the Lord. The gift of giving also includes the giving of time,
strength, and talents to the work of the Lord.
Helps:
A person with the gift of helps has the ability to assist others in the work of the Lord,
enabling them to increase the effectiveness of their own spiritual gifts. From custodian to
musicians, anything assisting in the operation of a church or a ministry can be considered
a gift of helps.
Serving:
The word "ministering" in Romans 12:7 means "serving." Serving differs from helps in
that it relieves someone of certain duties. One who serves assumes responsibility for
certain tasks to free another to do other things.
Mercy:
Mercy means compassion. A person with the gift of mercy has special compassion on
those suffering and an ability to help them.
Hospitality:
The gift of hospitality is a special ability God gives to certain members of the Body of
Christ to provide food and lodging for those in need.
SIGN GIFTS:
There are four gifts which we call sign gifts because they are supernatural signs of God's
power working through believers to confirm His Word. The sign gifts are:
Miracles:
Through a person with the gift of miracles God performs powerful acts which are beyond
the possibility of occurring naturally These acts are a sign that God's power is greater
than that of Satan, and God receives the glory.
Healing:
A believer with the gifts of healing has the ability to let God's power flow through him to
restore health apart from the use of natural methods.
Tongues:
The gift of tongues is the ability to receive and communicate a message from God to His
people through a language never learned. "Tongues" means languages. The reason we
have called this a sign gift rather than a speaking gift is that the Bible indicates clearly
that this gift is given for a sign.
When one speaks in tongues it can be in a language known and recognized by the
listeners:
Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were
confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language...
And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold are
not all these which speak Galilaeans?
And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born.
(Acts 2:6-8)
It can also be in a language not known to man. This is called speaking in unknown
tongues:
For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh not unto men, but unto
God; for no man understandeth him; howbeit in the Spirit he speaketh
mysteries. (I Corinthians 14:2)
This experience of speaking in tongues is different from the gift of tongues. It is believed by some that "speaking"
in tongues is a sign of the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Others say it was only for a specific time and place.
Still others say it was never anything more then simply speaking in a language that was unknown to the
listener, much like a person speaking Spanish around only English speaking people. The "gift"
of tongues however is the special ability to deliver messages from God to the Church in a language
not known by the speaker. Interpretation Of Tongues:
The gift of interpretation is a special ability to make known in a language understood by
the listeners the message spoken in tongues. The interpretation of a message in tongues is
given by the Holy Spirit to one with this spiritual gift. It is not interpreted by knowing the
language in which the message was given. It is given by revelation from the Holy Spirit.
STEP ONE: BE BORN AGAIN.
You must be born again to receive spiritual gifts. They come through the new birth just
as natural talents come through natural physical birth:
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
(Acts 2:38)
STEP TWO: RECEIVE THE BAPTISM OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Guidelines on how to do this are given in the course on "The Ministry Of The Holy
Spirit."
STEP THREE: KNOW THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS.
If you do not know what spiritual gifts exist, you will not be able to recognize the one(s)
God has given you. Review the definitions given in this lesson and/or study further in the
course on "The Ministry Of The Holy Spirit.”
STEP FOUR: OBSERVE MODELS OF THE GIFTS.
As you are considering what gifts you might have, it is helpful to observe mature models
of the various gifts. A mature model is a believer who has been effectively using a gift
for an extended period of time.
STEP FIVE: SEEK A SPIRITUAL GIFT.
The Bible tells us to seek spiritual gifts:
But covet (desire, seek) earnestly the best gifts...) (I Corinthians 12:31)
STEP SIX: LAYING ON OF HANDS.
Ask your spiritual leaders to lay hands on you and pray for God to reveal your spiritual
gift:
Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with
the laying on of the hands of the presybtery. (I Timothy 4:14)
STEP SEVEN: ANALYZE YOUR SPIRITUAL INTERESTS.
The areas in which you find great joy in serving God are often those for which He has
gifted you. You must have a passion or burden for a certain ministry in order to serve
God effectively in it.
STEP EIGHT: ANALYSIS BY A CHRISTIAN LEADER.
Have a Christian leader analyze your spiritual abilities. Use the form and instructions in
the course on "The Ministry Of The Holy Spirit."
STEP NINE: ANALYZE YOUR PAST CHRISTIAN SERVICE.
Analyze your past Christian service. In what areas of ministry have you served? In what
areas were you effective? In which did you experience great joy? In which did your
spiritual leader and/or others notice you were effective?
STEP TEN: COMPLETE THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS QUESTIONNAIRES.
The course on "The Ministry Of The Holy Spirit" includes spiritual gift questionnaires that
will help you discover your gift. While it is not necessary to complete this in order to
discover your gifts, it is a helpful tool.
STEP ELEVEN: IDENTIFY GIFTS YOU THINK YOU MIGHT HAVE.
Identify the gifts you think you might have based on:
---The knowledge of the gifts you have obtained through study.
---What God has revealed to you through prayer.
---What you have analyzed in yourself.
---What key Christian leaders have observed in your life.
---Analysis of your effectiveness in areas of ministry in which you previously
served.
---Completion of the spiritual gift questionnaires.
STEP TWELVE: IDENTIFY SPIRITUAL NEEDS.
Analyze the spiritual needs of your neighborhood, community, and Church. What needs
are not being met?
STEP THIRTEEN: FILL A SPIRITUAL NEED.
Compare the list of spiritual needs you have made in "Step Twelve" to the list of gifts you
believe God has given you. Identify a spiritual need that corresponds with the gift you
believe you have, then make a commitment to fill this need.
STEP FOURTEEN: EVALUATE YOUR MINISTRY.
After serving awhile in this area with your gift, evaluate your ministry. You have
discovered and are showing proper stewardship of your spiritual gift when...
You are fruitful in the area in which you are serving. This means you
will see positive results of your ministry.
When you are fulfilled...You are enjoying your ministry. If you are
frustrated, you may be serving in an area for which you are not
gifted.
When the feedback (comments you receive from your spiritual
leaders) indicate you are effective in the position in which you are
serving.
If the ministry you are filling does not fit your spiritual capabilities and you are
ineffective, review your list of possible gifts and ask God to show you another area in
which to minister.
Do not be discouraged...It is just as important to know what gifts you do not have as to
discover the gift you do have. This prevents you from wasting your life in ineffective
ministry. By combining prayer and these practical steps you will soon discover the
special place of ministry God has for you.
Answer the questions below. If you miss a question, go back and study that portion of the class and then retake the test. Once you have received a 100% you may proceed to the next class. You DO NOT have to submit this test for grading. Only the final test will be submitted.