Many Christians want to know, “What gifts has God given me? Where is my place in the body of Christ? How can I more effectively serve God?”
Every Christian has a specific area of ministry God has called them to. Service encourages spiritual growth. When we fulfill our God-given purpose the Lord is pleased and the body of Christ benefits.
The following are tools to help you discover the ministry God may be calling you to according to your S.H.A.P.E. (Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experience).
Spiritual Gifts
Spiritual Gifts Test online
Heart
The Bible uses the term heart to describe the bundle of desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, and affections you have. Your heart represents the source of all your motivations-what you love to do and what you care about most.
“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the person.” Proverbs 27:19 NLT
What activities really excite you?
What subjects do you really enjoy?
What things capture your attention more than others?
What is it that you do that most satisfies you?
In what areas of life do you feel you are effective?
The goal is to figure out what you love to do-what God gave you a heart to do-and then do it for His glory.
Abilities
Your abilities are the natural talents you were born with. Some have natural ability using words, others have natural athletic abilities while still others are good at mathematics or music or mechanics.
“God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well.” Romans 12:6
What are you good at doing?
Have others told you are a natural at certain things? If so, what?
Personality
Personality Test online
Experience
You have been shaped by your experiences in life, most of which were beyond to control. God allowed them for His purpose of molding you. In determining your shape for serving God, you should examine at least six kinds of experiences from your past:
Family experiences – What did you learn growing up in your family?
Educational experiences: What were your favorite subjects in school?
Vocational experiences: What jobs have you enjoyed and achieved results while doing?
Spiritual experiences: What have been the most meaningful or decisive times with God in your life?
Ministry experiences: How have you served God in the past?
Painful experiences: What are the problems, hurts, and trials that you’ve learned from?
