Page 70 - BMIN191 Beginnning Internship

70 Beginning Ministerial Internship: Student Manual

Understanding and Using My Gifts

LESSON “We have different gifts, according to the grace given us” (Romans 12:6).
3.3 are resident within the believer while others dwell within the Spirit who gives
The Bible has much to say about gifts. They come in many varieties. Some

as needed. Gifts are God’s way of leading His church and equipping it to do His
work. They are the key to each Christian’s ability to find fulfillment in a personal
walk with God.
3.3.1 Operating correctly in these gifts is central to discipleship. Those who discover
OBJECTIVE their gifts and use them for God’s glory offer much to the church, but those who
Identify your own areas of neglect this essential aspect of Christian living fail to contribute what God intends.
giftedness for ministry.
In this session, we will consider the specific gifts described in Paul’s writings.
3.3.2 To three groups of believers he lists a variety of gifts (Ephesians, Corinthians, and
OBJECTIVE Romans). While these should not be considered exhaustive lists, they are thorough
Interview another minister and provide the essential foundation for understanding how God uses His people.
who demonstrates the
same giftings. Equipping Gifts
In Ephesians 4:11, the apostle Paul catalogs very special gifts that God has
3.3.3 placed in His church. These gifts—apostles, prophets, evangelists, and pastors/
OBJECTIVE
Develop a strategy for teachers—equip the saints to do the work of ministry. Thus, individuals with
using your gifts, and these gifts should hold fast to this purpose, recognizing that their greatest
implement that strategy as effectiveness will be when those they lead get involved in the work of ministry.
assigned by the mentor. The Apostle
Perhaps the most revered of the equipping gifts is the gift of apostle. Its place
as first on the list may be due to the order experienced among early believers,
where the apostles also functioned as primary church leaders, guiding and ruling
congregations across Asia Minor.
There are two ways the office of apostle is typically defined. Some groups
who hold to the expiration of this office in the first century define apostle as
one who received his calling directly from Christ. With this definition, only the
original disciples and the transformed Saul of Tarsus are given such a distinction.
This idea also serves as a counterbalance against false teachings that have come
from sources claiming to be apostles. Simply put, this group believes there is no
modern expression of the office of apostle.

17 Why do you believe Paul A definition that seems more consistent with the hermeneutics of Pentecostals
was given the title of apostle? is that an apostle is a “sent one” from God. Functioning in similar ways to
pioneer missionaries and others who have taken the gospel into new regions, the
apostle is the trailblazer, establishing believers and churches. Individuals who
support this idea point to the apostle Paul’s own actions and those of the original
disciples. They were visionary leaders who established the church where it had
not been before.
Most denominations have an official position on the office of the apostle. The
minister would do well to become familiar with that position and its supporting ideas.
The Prophet
Arguably, the most controversial of the offices in the Ephesians lists is that of
prophet. Modern times have seen the emergence of many prophets, both self-
proclaimed and recognized by the church body at large. The role of the prophet
takes many forms.