SHEPHERDS OF THE LOST

Spiritual Gift: Service

WHAT IS The Gift of SERVICE?

The gift of service is the special ability that God gives to certain members of the Body of Christ to identify the unmet needs involved in a task related to God's work, and to make use of available resources to meet those needs and help accomplish the desired results.

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES FOR this Gift

Tap each verse to read it. Unless otherwise noted, all scriptures are in the English Standard Version.

ACTS 6:1-7

Now in these days when the disciples were increasing in number, a complaint by the Hellenists arose against the Hebrews because their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution. 2 And the twelve summoned the full number of the disciples and said, “It is not right that we should give up preaching the word of God to serve tables. 3 Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this duty.4 But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” 5 And what they said pleased the whole gathering, and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolaus, a proselyte of Antioch. 6 These they set before the apostles, and they prayed and laid their hands on them.

7 And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests became obedient to the faith.

ROMANS 12:7

if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;

GALATIANS 6:2

Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

GALATIANS 6:10

So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.

2 TIMOTHY 1:16-18

May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, 17 but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— 18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus.

TITUS 3:4

And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.


IN THE GREEK

DIAKONIA

Strong's Numbers: 1248
Service or ministry to others.


SUGGESTED POTENTIAL STRENGTHS & CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS GIFT

  • Deep joy in serving, especially when it releases others to get more involved in their ministry (Romans 16:1-2).
  • Would rather serve than lead others or projects.
  • Alertness to detect and meet practical needs; especially enjoys meeting a need before it is recognized by those being served.
  • Strongly supports others who are in leadership.
  • Prefers doing a job to delegating it.
  • Views serving to be of primary importance in life.
  • Is a detail person with a good memory.
  • Is more interested in meeting the needs of others than own needs.
  • Tends to do more than asked to do.
  • Doesn't mind handling what may seem to be mundane or menial tasks if they are what needs to be done.


SUGGESTED POTENTIAL WEAKNESSES & WARNINGS OF THIS GIFT

  • Has a hard time saying “no;” may neglect home or personal responsibilities to help others.
  • Finds it hard to accept being served by others.
  • May become hurt or frustrated when unappreciated.
  • Serves others with the motivation of contrasting how little others take the opportunity to serve them.
  • Excludes others from helping on a job.
  • Critical of others who do not detect and meet obvious needs.
  • Tendency to feel inadequate and unqualified for “spiritual” work.

SUGGESTED WAYS TO SERVE BASED ON THIS GIFT

  • Committee Member
  • Meal Team Member
  • Usher
  • Greeter
  • Worker in:
    • Men's/Women's Ministry
    • Youth Ministry
    • Children's Ministry
    • Nursery
    • Conferences
    • Camps
    • Events
    • Administration Office
  • Information Booth Worker
  • Prayer Group Member
  • Building Maintenance/Repair
  • Housekeeping and Janitorial Team
  • Audio/Visual Technician
  • Photographer
  • Social Media Administrator
  • Bus/Van Driver
  • Building Security
  • Preparation of:
    • Baptismal
    • Communion
    • Special Events

GOOD BIBLICAL EXAMPLES

MARTHA & TIMOTHY

RETURN TO FULL GIFT LISTING

*The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016).
Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.