Week 2 / 5
Discovering your Gifts
God has uniquely gifted each of us—and this week is all about exploring what those gifts are and how to use them well. Whether you’ve taken a Spiritual Gifts Test or are just starting to think about this for the first time, this session will help you dig deeper. Through honest reflection, group discussion, and quiet time with the Holy Spirit, you’ll get a clearer picture of how God is working in and through you. It’s not just about what you can do—it’s about staying connected to the One who gave you the gift in the first place.
Choose a version
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts, desiring to grow in awareness of Your Spirit at work in us and around us. Help us to listen, discern, and embrace the gifts You have given us. May we remain humble and grateful, using these gifts for Your glory and the good of others. Holy Spirit, lead us in this time together. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Group Reflection
Last week’s practice
Take a few moments to share your experiences from last week’s practice.
- What stood out to you?
- What did you learn about the character of the Holy Spirit?
- Did the Holy Spirit speak to you in any way?
Discovering your Spiritual Gifts
This week, we will focus on discovering the gifts the Holy Spirit has given us. At the end of last week’s practice, you were provided with a QR-code to a Spiritual Gifts Test to help identify areas where you may already be gifted.
It’s important to remember that this test is not the final word on your gifts—it is simply a tool. While it can offer insight into your strengths and inclinations, true discernment comes through prayer, reflection, experience, and affirmation from others in the body of Christ. God may reveal or refine your gifts over time in ways you do not expect, so remain open to His leading.
Exploring your results
Group discussion:
Take turns sharing your results from the Spiritual Gifts Test. Consider these questions as you reflect:
- Before taking the test, did you have an idea of what your spiritual gifts might be?
- Were there any surprises in your results?
- Do you personally feel that these gifts reflect your life and experiences?
- How have you seen (or not yet seen) these gifts in action in your life?
Encouraging one another:
- Do you see this gift in the person who shared it? Can you give an example?
- Do you see other giftings in this person that were not mentioned?
Encourage one another with honest, affirming, and constructive feedback.
Read Together
Biblical Reflection: The Giver vs. the Gift
11On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
(Passage about Jesus healing the ten lepers)
In this story, ten lepers received an incredible gift—healing. Yet only one returned to give praise and thanks to the One who made it possible.
This serves as a powerful reminder that we, too, can become so focused on the gifts we receive—especially spiritual gifts—that we forget the Giver.
Too often, we may treat our gifts as something we’ve earned through our talents or efforts, rather than recognizing them as a grace from God. But the gift should never be more important than the One who gave it. Instead, we are called to humility, gratitude, and faithful stewardship, always remembering that every good thing comes from Him.
Personal Reflection Questions
- How will you remind yourself that the Holy Spirit is the Giver of your gifts?
- How do you want to glorify God with your gift?
Preparing for this week’s practice
This week, we will spend intentional time with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to speak and reveal more about our gifts.
Read through this week’s practice as a group.
Discussion Question:
How can the group support you in this practice?
Closing prayer
As we close, let’s pray together:
Lord, thank You for the gifts You have given us. Help us to use them not for our own recognition but for Your glory. May we never lose sight of You, the Giver of every good gift. Holy Spirit, continue to lead, shape, and equip us. We surrender our gifts back to You, asking that You use them for Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
For your individual time with the Lord
The Practice
Spiritual Gifts Reflection Practice
Listening to the Holy Spirit in stillness
Objective:
To intentionally sit in silence and stillness, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak and reveal insights about your spiritual gifts. This practice will help you grow in awareness of how God desires to use your gifts for His glory.
Instructions: Daily Practice
(15-20 minutes per day for one week)
1 Prepare your heart (2-3 min)
- Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed.
- Take a few deep breaths, releasing distractions and anxieties.
- Pray a simple invitation:
- “Holy Spirit, I invite You to speak. Help me to listen and receive whatever You want to reveal.”
2 Reflect on Your Spiritual Gifts (5 min)
- Bring to mind the gifts you have discovered so far. And ask yourself:
- How has God used this gift in my life?
- Am I relying on my own strength or trusting God with it?
- Have I been more focused on the gift rather than the Giver?
- Journal any thoughts or impressions that arise.
3 Enter into stillness (10 min)
- Close your eyes and simply be still before God.
- Let go of any need to do—just listen.
- If your mind wanders, gently bring it back with a phrase like “Speak, Lord, I am listening” (1 Samuel 3:10).
- Pay attention to any feelings, images, scriptures, or words that come to mind.
4 Respond in gratitude (2-3 min)
- End with a short prayer of gratitude:
- “Thank You, Lord, for speaking. Help me to trust You with my gifts and use them for Your glory.”
- Write down any insights or words that stood out to you during this time.
Challenge for the week
- Commit to doing this practice daily for one week.
- Each day, journal what you hear or sense from the Holy Spirit.
- At the end of the week, reflect on any patterns, confirmations, or new revelations about your gifts.
© Copyright 2025 – Copyright notice
All photographs and graphics as well as the design of this online-document are protected by copyright. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the copyright of the cultivate-series lies with generations church Leipzig e.V. Please ask Tyler Charvat (Legal Notice generationschurch.de) if you would like to use the mentioned contents of this document.
Texts of this document are licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0. This means you may distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, for noncommercial purposes only and you are required to give credit to the creator.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are taken from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts, desiring to grow in awareness of Your Spirit at work in us and around us. Help us to listen, discern, and embrace the gifts You have given us. May we remain humble and grateful, using these gifts for Your glory and the good of others. Holy Spirit, lead me in this time. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Reflection
Last week’s practice
Take a few moments to reflect on your experiences from last week’s practice.
- What stood out to you?
- What did you learn about the character of the Holy Spirit?
- Did the Holy Spirit speak to you in any way?
Discovering your Spiritual Gifts
This week, we will focus on discovering the gifts the Holy Spirit has given us. At the end of last week’s practice, you were provided with a QR-code to a Spiritual Gifts Test to help identify areas where you may already be gifted.
It’s important to remember that this test is not the final word on your gifts—it is simply a tool. While it can offer insight into your strengths and inclinations, true discernment comes through prayer, reflection, experience, and affirmation from others in the body of Christ. God may reveal or refine your gifts over time in ways you do not expect, so remain open to His leading.
Exploring your results
Reflect on the following questions:
- Before taking the test, did you have an idea of what your spiritual gifts might be?
- Were there any surprises in your results?
- Do you personally feel that these gifts reflect your life and experiences?
- How have you seen (or not yet seen) these gifts in action in your life?
Read
Biblical Reflection: The Giver vs. the Gift
11On the way to Jerusalem he was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”
(Passage about Jesus healing the ten lepers)
In this story, ten lepers received an incredible gift—healing. Yet only one returned to give praise and thanks to the One who made it possible.
This serves as a powerful reminder that we, too, can become so focused on the gifts we receive—especially spiritual gifts—that we forget the Giver.
Too often, we may treat our gifts as something we’ve earned through our talents or efforts, rather than recognizing them as a grace from God. But the gift should never be more important than the One who gave it. Instead, we are called to humility, gratitude, and faithful stewardship, always remembering that every good thing comes from Him.
Personal Reflection Questions
- How will you remind yourself that the Holy Spirit is the Giver of your gifts?
- How do you want to glorify God with your gift?
Preparing for this week’s practice
This week, we will spend intentional time with the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to speak and reveal more about our gifts.
Read through this week’s practice.
Closing prayer
As we close, let’s pray:
Lord, thank You for the gifts You have given us. Help us to use them not for our own recognition but for Your glory. May we never lose sight of You, the Giver of every good gift. Holy Spirit, continue to lead, shape, and equip us. We surrender our gifts back to You, asking that You use them for Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
For your individual time with the Lord
The Practice
Spiritual Gifts Reflection Practice
Listening to the Holy Spirit in stillness
Objective:
To intentionally sit in silence and stillness, allowing the Holy Spirit to speak and reveal insights about your spiritual gifts. This practice will help you grow in awareness of how God desires to use your gifts for His glory.
Instructions: Daily Practice
(15-20 minutes per day for one week)
1 Prepare your heart (2-3 min)
- Find a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed.
- Take a few deep breaths, releasing distractions and anxieties.
- Pray a simple invitation:
- “Holy Spirit, I invite You to speak. Help me to listen and receive whatever You want to reveal.”
2 Reflect on Your Spiritual Gifts (5 min)
- Bring to mind the gifts you have discovered so far. And ask yourself:
- How has God used this gift in my life?
- Am I relying on my own strength or trusting God with it?
- Have I been more focused on the gift rather than the Giver?
- Journal any thoughts or impressions that arise.
3 Enter into stillness (10 min)
- Close your eyes and simply be still before God.
- Let go of any need to do—just listen.
- If your mind wanders, gently bring it back with a phrase like “Speak, Lord, I am listening” (1 Samuel 3:10).
- Pay attention to any feelings, images, scriptures, or words that come to mind.
4 Respond in gratitude (2-3 min)
- End with a short prayer of gratitude:
- “Thank You, Lord, for speaking. Help me to trust You with my gifts and use them for Your glory.”
- Write down any insights or words that stood out to you during this time.
Challenge for the week
- Commit to doing this practice daily for one week.
- Each day, journal what you hear or sense from the Holy Spirit.
- At the end of the week, reflect on any patterns, confirmations, or new revelations about your gifts.
© Copyright 2025 – Copyright notice
All photographs and graphics as well as the design of this online-document are protected by copyright. Unless expressly stated otherwise, the copyright of the cultivate-series lies with generations church Leipzig e.V. Please ask Tyler Charvat (Legal Notice generationschurch.de) if you would like to use the mentioned contents of this document.
Texts of this document are licensed under CC BY-NC 4.0. This means you may distribute, remix, adapt, and build upon the material in any medium or format, for noncommercial purposes only and you are required to give credit to the creator.
Scripture quotations marked (ESV) are taken from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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