Reflections for Youth - Spiritual Gifts

Do you like to take quizes? Not for school - but for fun? Facebook and the internet is full of all kinds of tests you can take to learn things about your self.

If you were a tree - what kind would you be?

Which cartoon character are you most like?

Answer these questions and we will tell you what color/food/quote most represents you.

You may have seen a quiz or a test that helps you explore your "spiritual gifts."

"Spiritual Gifts" are things listed in the Bible describing different gifts and talents given by to people by the Holy Spirit that can be used help the world and other people. 

But let's backtrack a little. 

For the next couple of weeks, the Epistle readings will take us through continuous passages from 1 Corinthians.  This book of the Bible is attributed to the apostle Paul and is a letter to the people in community of Corinth.  Corinth was a urban community located in south-central Greece.  The recipients of the letter were Christians that more worshiped together in house churches. Like most of the letters that Paul wrote to churches and communities, we can tell that he is writing to help solve problems that may be happening in the church and/or community. But, we don't exactly know what those problems were.

In the 12th chapter of 1 Corinthians, Paul lists a few of these gifts, perhaps encouraging the people to recognize their strengths and to use them in a way that will help the community. 

Read 1 Corinthians 12: 1-11

Here's a list of the gifts listed in the scripture and some thoughts about what they mean:

• Wisdom - having good ideas and the ability to make good choices.
• Knowledge - ability to learn new things and explain things to other.
• Faith - trusting and believing in God's love for the world.
• Healing - ability to help people feel better physically and to comfort hurt feelings
• Prophecy - ability to tell and others how to live in God's ways.
• Languages - the ability to understand what people are saying and explain their words to others. 

Each person, Paul says, is given gifts that are manifestations of the Holy Spirits to be used for the common good.  Paul reminds us that each person's faith and gifts are different and are meant to be shared.  I have no idea why Paul lists these particular gifts - but I suspect it had something to do with the problems that the church members were having with each other.  Perhaps he was pointing out that while there is a diversity of people's gifts, they can all be used to help unite the church. 

So I've bee thinking this week about just what my spiritual gifts are and how I am using them to help others and serve God. 

Thinking about what your gifts may be? Here are a few questions that might help you it out:

• What do you love to do?
• What are you good at doing?
• What are three words that describe your personality? How do you feel about asking other people to share three words that describe your personality? We so often never see ourselves as others see us. I dare you to do it. I did it this week on Facebook and it was quite interesting. Sometimes asking others that we love and trust to describe us can help us  to us realize what we might be good things that we might not recognize in ourselves.
• In what ways can your gifts be used for the common good? 

Remember, Paul's list of gifts is not exhaustive and can can include many other things not named in the scripture. And can you have more than one? Absolutely!  Think about it! And remember what every your gifts you are a beloved child of God.