Activating What God Has Placed in You
Every disciple of Jesus is uniquely gifted. God has placed within each of us specific abilities, passions, and strengths—not for our own glory, but for the purpose of building His kingdom. Yet, many of us struggle to identify or fully use our spiritual gifts. We may wonder if we have anything valuable to contribute, or we may compare our gifts to those of others and feel inadequate. But discipleship is about activation—taking what God has given us and using it to serve Him and others.
What Are Spiritual Gifts?
Spiritual gifts are God-given abilities meant to edify the body of Christ and further His mission. In 1 Corinthians 12:4-7, Paul writes, *“There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”
These gifts come in many forms, including teaching, leadership, encouragement, hospitality, discernment, mercy, and more. No gift is more important than another, and every believer has a role to play. The key is recognizing that our gifts are not about personal recognition but about serving God and strengthening others.
How Spiritual Gifts Connect to Discipleship
Our Gifts Are Given to Build Up Others
Discipleship isn’t just about personal growth—it’s about investing in others. Ephesians 4:11-12 says, “So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.”
Our gifts are meant to encourage, teach, and uplift fellow believers. Whether you’re gifted in leadership, service, or hospitality, your role is essential in strengthening the body of Christ.
Every Gift Has a Purpose
It’s easy to feel like certain gifts are more significant than others, but that’s not how God sees it. In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul compares the church to a body, where every part is vital. “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I don’t need you!’” (1 Corinthians 12:21).
Your gift—no matter what it is—has a purpose. Whether you’re called to preach, mentor, encourage, organize, or serve behind the scenes, your role is critical in God’s mission.
Using Our Gifts Strengthens Our Faith
When we step out and use our spiritual gifts, our faith deepens. Serving others helps us rely more on God, trust in His provision, and experience the joy of living out our purpose. If you’ve been hesitant to use your gifts, remember that faith grows through action. God doesn’t ask for perfection—He asks for willingness.
How to Discover and Use Your Spiritual Gifts
If you’re unsure what your spiritual gifts are, here are some ways to identify and activate them:
Pray for guidance – Ask God to reveal how He has gifted you and where He wants you to serve.
Pay attention to what excites you – Often, our passions align with the gifts God has given us. What brings you joy when serving others?
Seek feedback from others – Sometimes, those around us see our gifts more clearly than we do. Ask trusted friends or mentors what strengths they see in you.
Step out and try – The best way to discover your gifts is to start serving. Join a ministry, volunteer, or mentor someone. God often clarifies our calling as we take action.
Discussion Questions
- What spiritual gifts do you believe God has given you? How have you used them to serve others?
- Which aspects of discipleship have been strengthened by seeing others use their spiritual gifts?
- What are some fears or hesitations you’ve had about using your gifts, and how can you overcome them?
- How can you encourage others in your community to discover and use their gifts for God’s kingdom?
- What’s one step you can take this week to activate your spiritual gifts in service to others?
This post is part of Following Jesus, Shaping Lives, a 13-part series exploring what it means to be a disciple in today’s world. In the next post, we’ll tackle how to overcome doubt and step into discipleship with confidence, even when we feel unworthy. Join us as we continue this journey of growing as true followers of Christ!
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