Spiritual Gifts Survey Spiritual Gifts A spiritual gift is an expression of the Holy Spirit in the lives of believers that empowers them to serve and help the Church fulfill its mission. Dreams God places specific dreams (desires, passions, callings) in each of our hearts. Our dreams help to define the areas in which our gifts can function best. Our dreams are often about helping a particular people group (e.g. the elderly), advancing a particular cause (e.g. relieving hunger) or exercising a particular function in a helping way (e.g. mentoring). Think about what you would love to do if money were not a factor. Talents God has given you a unique bundle of natural talents and abilities, as well as opportunities to acquire and practice certain skills. If you think your talents are simply for you to make a lot of money, retire and die, you’ve missed the point of your life. God gave you talents to benefit others, not yourself. And God gave other people talents that benefit you. Take the Survey The following three-part survey will help you to identify your Spiritual Gifts, Dreams and Talents. If you would prefer to print out a copy of the survey (PDF format), rather than complete the online version, click here. The survey is most effective if you complete all questions. Try not to spend too much time on any one question--usually your first thought is most accurate. All information provided in the survey will be kept confidential and used only by Oakdale staff to help you identity your spiritual gifts and put them into action for God's Kingdom. For the first section on Spiritual Gifts, your response choices are: 5 – Highly characteristic of me/definitely true for me 4 – Most of the time this would describe me/be true for me 3 – Frequently characteristic of me/true for me – about 50% of the time 2 – Occasionally characteristic of me/true for me – about 25% of the time 1 – Not at all characteristic of me/definitely untrue for me Please include your first and last name. Please provide an e-mail address or phone number so we can contact you to discuss the results. 1) I have the ability to organize ideas, resources, time and people effectively. 5 4 3 2 1 2) I am willing to study and prepare for the task of teaching. 5 4 3 2 1 3) I have a God-given ability to help others grow in their faith. 5 4 3 2 1 4) I possess a special ability to communicate the truth of salvation. 5 4 3 2 1 5) I am sensitive to the hurts of people. 5 4 3 2 1 6) I experience joy in meeting needs through sharing possessions. 5 4 3 2 1 7) I have delivered God’s message of warning and judgment. 5 4 3 2 1 8) I take action to meet physical and practical needs rather than merely talking about or planning to help. 5 4 3 2 1 9) I can delegate and assign meaningful work. 5 4 3 2 1 10) I have an ability and desire to teach. 5 4 3 2 1 11) I have a natural tendency to encourage others. 5 4 3 2 1 12) I am willing to take the initiative in helping other Christians grow in their faith. 5 4 3 2 1 13) I have an acute awareness of the emotions of other people, such as loneliness, pain, fear and anger. 5 4 3 2 1 14) I am a cheerful giver. 5 4 3 2 1 15) I feel that I have a message from God to deliver to others. 5 4 3 2 1 16) It makes me happy to do things for people in need. 5 4 3 2 1 17) I am successful in getting a group to do its work joyfully. 5 4 3 2 1 18) I have the ability to plan learning approaches. 5 4 3 2 1 19) I can identify those who need encouragement. 5 4 3 2 1 20) I have trained Christians to be more obedient disciples of Christ. 5 4 3 2 1 21) I am willing to do whatever it takes to see others come to Christ. 5 4 3 2 1 22) I am attracted to people who are hurting. 5 4 3 2 1 23) I am a generous giver. 5 4 3 2 1 24) I have spiritual insights from Scripture concerning issues and people that compel me to speak out. 5 4 3 2 1 25) I am sensitive to the needs of people. 5 4 3 2 1 26) I have been able to make effective and efficient plans for accomplishing the goals of a group. 5 4 3 2 1 27) I think about how I can comfort and encourage others. 5 4 3 2 1 28) I am able to give spiritual direction. 5 4 3 2 1 29) I am able to present the gospel to lost persons in such a way that they accept the Lord and His salvation. 5 4 3 2 1 30) I possess an unusual capacity to understand the feelings of those in distress. 5 4 3 2 1 31) I have a strong sense of stewardship based on the recognition that God owns all things. 5 4 3 2 1 32) I have delivered to other persons messages that have come directly from God. 5 4 3 2 1 33) I have an acute awareness of the physical needs of others. 5 4 3 2 1 34) I am skilled in setting forth positive and precise steps of action. 5 4 3 2 1 35) I explain Scripture in such a way that others understand it. 5 4 3 2 1 36) I welcome opportunities to help people who need comfort, consolation, encouragement, and counseling. 5 4 3 2 1 37) I feel at ease in sharing Christ with nonbelievers. 5 4 3 2 1 38) I recognize the signs of stress and distress in others. 5 4 3 2 1 39) I desire to give generously and unpretentiously to worthwhile projects and ministries. 5 4 3 2 1 40) God gives me messages to deliver to His people. 5 4 3 2 1 41) I enjoy doing little things that help people. 5 4 3 2 1 42) I can give a clear, uncomplicated presentation. 5 4 3 2 1 43) God has used me to encourage others to live Christ-like lives. 5 4 3 2 1 44) I have sensed the need to help other people become more effective in their ministries. 5 4 3 2 1 45) I like to talk about Jesus to those who do not know Him. 5 4 3 2 1 WHERE DO YOUR DREAMS LIE? (check all that apply) Abuse Victims Addiction/Recovery Babies Building Maintenance Career Planning Care Giving Christian Education Chronically Ill College Students Counseling Crafts Decorating Design Work Developing Leaders Disabled Discipleship Divorce Care Drama Elderly Elementary Students Encouragement of Others Equipping Evangelism Event Planning Families Fellowship Financial Issues Floral Food Service Gardening Grief/Grieving Health Education Hearing Impaired Helping Homeless Hospice Care Hospitalized Infertility Landscape Learning Marriage Mental Health Mentoring Middle High Students Minorities Missions Music Organization Parenting People Physical Fitness Prayer Pre-Schoolers Prisoners Problem Solving Relationship with God Senior HS Students Service Sewing Single Parents Spiritual Growth Sports Teaching Technology Teen Moms Truth Underprivileged Unemployed Visitors/Guests Widows/Widowers Worship Writing Written Word of God Other Dreams WHAT ARE YOUR TALENTS? (check all that apply) 12 Step Sponsor/Facilitator Abuse Prevention Accounting Administration Skills Advertising Anti-Violence Artistic Bible Study Boating Camera Operator Child Care Clerical/Office Work Coaching (Profess. Dev.) Communications Compassion Computer Graphics Computer Skills Conflict Resolution Construction Cooking/Baking Counseling CPR/First Aid Craftsmanship Creative Curriculum Development Data Entry Decorating Desktop Publishing Disciple Bible Study Graduate Early Childhood Development Editing Elementary Education Electrical Electronics Encourager Engineering Entrepreneurial Event Planning Faith Sharing Financial Fishing Floral Design Food Service Foreign Language Gardening/Farming Good Listener Graphic Design Horses/Equestrian Hospitality Human Resources Human Rights HVAC Interior Design Journalism Landscaping Leadership Skills Legal Services Managerial Skills Marketing Mechanical Skills Medical/Health Care Mentoring Metalworking Music – Instrumental/Playing Music – Vocal/Singing Organization Outdoorsman Painting Performing Arts Photography Plumbing Prayer Problem Solving Proofreading Property Mgmt Public Speaking Public Relations Puppets Realty Relational Skills Salesmanship Script Writing Security Self Defense/Martial Arts Set Design/Construction Seniors/Elderly Sew/Needlework Sign Language Social Media Social Work Sound Mixing Sports/Recreation Sports Coach Teaching Team Player Vet/Animal Care Video Production Woodworking Worship Writing Young Adults Youth Ministry Other talents