SPIRITUAL AND MOTIVATIONAL GIFTS SURVEY
What This Survey Can Do For You: You can learn what your spiritual gifts might be. They are also ‘motivational gifts’ because they have to do with ability and willingness. Everybody seems to have at least one of the gifts listed in Romans 12:6-8. Depending on the scores and ranking, you can try different roles in the ministry that may suit you.
What This Test Cannot Do For You: You cannot learn from this test what all your gifts are. You may also have a combination of gifts, or other undiscovered gifts that will add into your unique ability to serve. Some items are really meant to be general. It would be helpful to study out the four key passages that describe spiritual gifts: Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11; Ephesians 4:7-16; 1 Peter 4:10,11. This survey focuses only on Rom 12 and 1 Peter 4. Note also that aside from surveys, there are other tools to determine spiritual gifts.
Note: Spiritual gifts are not ministry positions. Being teen ministry leaders or childcare workers are not ‘gifts’ although those ministries definitely can put to use spiritual gifts such as teaching, serving, etc. In addition, spiritual gifts are not the same as natural talent (music ability or mechanical aptitude, etc.) although God may often give spiritual gifts that make use of natural abilities. A musician may have the gift of encouragement. An experienced school teacher may have the gift of teaching, etc. Many times, disciples will have to try out different ways to serve.
Please answer as honestly as possible. (No “right” or “wrong” answers; just put what comes to mind first.)
Rarely true Very true/often
1. I am able to sense God’s direction and share it with others. 1 2 3 4 5
2. I enjoy contributing to projects in the church. 1 2 3 4 5
3. People often come to me seeking advice about personal problems. 1 2 3 4 5
4. I am a cheerful giver. 1 2 3 4 5
5. I have artistic/musical abilities. 1 2 3 4 5
6. People seem to respect me and follow my lead. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
7. I have a tender heart toward the hurting and will often do what I can to help. 1 2 3 4 5
8. I like to share my possessions. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
9. I usually volunteer to help with tasks that need to be done. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
10. I enjoy deep Bible study so I can accurately teach the Word. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
11. I like encouraging those who are discouraged. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
12. I am very concerned about those who have not heard about God. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
13. I am good at getting people to work joyfully. 1 2 3 4 5
14. I enjoy visiting the sick. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
15. I feel compelled to communicate God's word so people know what God expects of them. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
16. I am willing to work at a task even if it is very simple. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
17. I have technical abilities that many people don’t have. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
18. I often challenge others to reach their potential in Christ. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
19. I am known for my generosity and sometimes sacrificial giving. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
20. I am able to guide and motivate people to join in the achievement of goals. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
21. I tend to look out for those who are neglected and alienated. 1 2 3 4 5
22. I have helped many Christians become more obedient to God. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
23. I feel a sense of satisfaction in seeing a job through to completion. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
24. I think much about how people can learn more about God. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
25. I make myself available to talk with others. 1 2 3 4 5
26. I feel concerned when the Bible is not preached well or misunderstood. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
27. I like to assist others with the skills that I have. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
28. I like to work out solutions to problems of other people. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
29. I speak boldly and with conviction what I believe God wants people to know. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
30. I am very dependable for getting things done. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
31. I am able to make the Bible clear and relevant for others. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
32. I pay attention to details when it comes to church work. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
33. I am willing to sacrifice/lower my standard of living to help others. 1 2 3 4 5
34. I often do chores or assist people. 1 2 3 4 5
Bottom of Form
35. I am able to give spiritual direction to others. 1 2 3 4 5
36. I speak up for what is biblically right even when people oppose me. 1 2 3 4 5
37. Others comment on how much they have learned from me. 1 2 3 4 5
38. I am not afraid to announce God's judgment on sin. 1 2 3 4 5
39. I am usually asked to do technical things that others can’t do. 1 2 3 4 5
40. I usually think of ways to improve on what has already been done. 1 2 3 4 5
Thank you so much for your time. It will be helpful to now do the next exercise: scoring and ranking gifts.
SCORING YOUR GIFTS This will help profile your spiritual gifts, as wells as ministry abilities and/or motivations.
TOTAL RANK
Leadership: #1___ + #6___ + #13___ + #20___ + #23___ = [ ] ______
Teaching: #10___ + #24___ + #31___ + #26___ + #36___ = [ ] ______
Shepherding: #3___ + #22___ + #28___ + #35___ + #37___ = [ ] ______
Serving: #9___ + #16___ + #30___ + #32___ + #34___ = [ ] ______
Encouragement: #7___ + #11___ + #14___ + #21___ #25___ = [ ] ______
Giving: #2___ + #4___ + #8___ + #19___ + #33___ = [ ] ______
Preaching: #12___ + #15___ + #18___ + #29___ + #38___ = [ ] ______
Special Skills: #5___ + #17___ + #27___ + #39___ + #40___ = [ ] ______
From the above scores, rank your gifts from highest to lowest. You will see what your inclinations are. Afterwards, look at the list of possible roles based on your inclinations. (Remember, some gifts may overlap. In addition, a lower ranked gift is not necessarily a “weakness,” or “something to change.” The lower ranked gifts may simply be dormant or seeking development.)
POSSIBLE ROLES FOR CHRISTIANS (ESPECIALLY MATURE DISCIPLES)
As with all Christians, mature Christians have the Spirit. It is He who enables Christians to render services of all kinds. Once a Christian is made aware of his abilities, he/she can try out different roles in the church. (It is also possible to ‘try’ some ministries in order to discover your gifts.) The table below gives some ideas on possible roles based on gifts. Remember that in certain disciples, some gifts can be dormant at first; in others, multiple gifts abound. All Christians should be open to discovering and nurturing their gifts. Here are some things you can do:
Leadership: Aspire to be a discipler/BTL; split your BT and lead half of it
Aspire to be part of your region council/oversight group
Facilitate in region/ministry workshops
Be in charge of a region project; organize special events; my ideas __________________________________________
Teaching: Join/sit-in your region teaching committee; assist the staff in making region/BTL syllabus
Lead follow-up studies with baby Christians; volunteer to talk to those struggling with false doctrine
Enroll in a theology class/online learning; start a discussion forum with disciples
Become a teacher in children’s ministry; my ideas _______________________________________________________
Shepherding: Aspire to become a discipler; aspire to become an elder
Join/start a committee to help baby Christians/older marrieds/senior citizens; lead pre-marriage counseling lessons
Pray to reach out to former members; form a committee on helping former members
Join/start a special needs ministry: e.g. job placement, parents with difficult/disabled kids
Enroll in a class or join seminars in counseling; my ideas ___________________________________________________
Serving: Become an usher; volunteer to bake bread/wash cups
Be a songleader/worship/line-up coord/in-charge of songsheets
Become property custodian/librarian, etc. for your region
Volunteer for the children’s min or teens ministry; join the teen camp
Ask the staff/region council which areas of the ministry need support; my ideas ________________________________
Encouragement: Form a group to visit/encourage the provinces
Volunteer for or visit HOPE sites; start an orphanage/hospital visitation team
Start/join an encouragement team; form a database of birthdays and anniversaries; organize retreats
Visit the weak and struggling; my ideas _______________________________________________________________
Giving: Find out special financial needs in your region; assist in provincial church support
Start/join a fund-raising committee or foundation
“Adopt” /house a campus disciple during summer or sem break
Join the fin-comm; my ideas _______________________________________________________________________
Preaching: Aspire to become a missionary; help organize a mission planting
Ask to be able to do lessons (message/comm/benev); organize evangelistic events
Ask your BTL to give you a chance to preach at BT; record sermons; collect sermon outlines
Visit a provincial church to preach; my ideas _____________________________________________________________
Special Skills: Consider how you can serve your region with your skills/unique vocation; discuss with others with similar skills
Volunteer/start a region bulletin/message board/website/e-group
Help develop KNN/DPI Philippines
Help design a backdrop/invitations/childrens ministry material
Advertise your skills so disciples can benefit
Organize workshops to teach people your (marketable) skills: e.g. baking, home crafts, computer literacy
Help tutor teens/campus disciples; my ideas _____________________________________________________________