3 Classifications of Gifts

1. Ministry gifts used primarily in the church body: Prophets, pastors, teachers, elders, deacons,
administrators, diverse tongues.

2. Ministry gifts used primarily outside the church: Apostles and evangelists.

3. Ministry gifts used inside and outside the church: Exhorting, miracles, giving, gifts of healing, showing
mercy, helps.
o Although this listing gives the primary use of these ministry gifts, all of them may be
used inside the church body when needed, and all of them may be used outside the
church body to meet whatever needs are present.
o For example, the evangelist may teach those within the church how to evangelize.
o The pastors may preach and witness to those outside the church as well as those within
the church.
o The purpose of making a classification of ministries is to challenge us to see that every
believer has a work to do, and that God equipped us to accomplish that task.
*Self Test
Read the following verses in your Bible, and write the names of gifts you find mentioned in
each verse:
1. Rom. 12:5-8

2. 1 Cor.12:27-31

3. 1Tim.3:1-10

4. Eph. 4:11-12
2. Purpose of Ministry Gifts
o Do only certain believers possess ministry gifts to be used in performing the ministry of
the church?
o No! All believers are to exercise gifts listed in 1 Cor. 12:4-6 as part of the body.
o But not all believers will be called to leadership.
o That is why Paul lists five ministry gifts, which are intended to provide leadership in the
church.
o We read, “ It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be
evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of
service, so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Eph.4:11-12).

Memory Verse: Eph.4: 11-

12
 o God’s ministry gifts to the church are given to do two things:
1) To prepare God’s people for words of service, and
2) To build up the body of Christ.

o The ministry gifts are given to strengthen and build up the church.
o We will see how they work in the church.

1. Ministry Gifts
God gives ministry gifts to people in the church body
1.
2. Building up
These ministry gifts are working in the body “building up” and
“preparing” the people in the church for ministry. Part of the people’s
ministry is to encourage and edify, or build up, each other.
2.
3. Making Disciples
The other part of the “work of the ministry” is for members to go outside
the church body and make disciples.
3.


4. Building up of new disciples
The new disciples will be added to the church for learning God’s Word
4. and worshipping the Lord.

Readings:
1. Rom. 12: 1 Cor.12; 1Tim.3; Eph. 4.
2. Peters, George W. A Theology of Church Growth. Zondervan., 1981. pp. 184-239.
3. Orjala, Paul R. Get Ready to Grow. Missouri: Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City,
1978. pp. 31-40.
Study Questions:
1. What are the various ways you think the church can minister to its members as well as
those who are around?