Using Your Spiritual Gifts

Tomorrow I'll be presenting a seminar on using your spiritual gifts for youth and young adults in the  Allegheny West Conference of SDA.  Below is a list of links and resources for anyone who wants to get a basic understanding of spiritual gifts and possibly even take a test to identify their own spiritual gifts.

Here is a graph of the process of spiritual development called Microdecisions of Faith:

The graph is taken from the book Going Public With Your Faith by Walt Larrimore and William Peel:
 http://www.amazon.com/Going-Public-Your-Faith-Spiritual/dp/0310246091

Every part of the body has a function.  Hands are used for grabbing and lifting.  Feet are used for balance and support.  Ears are for liste...you've heard this before, so you obviously get the idea.  The point is, as a part of God's body, you have a specific function/purpose/role to play.  Without your faithful commitment, the body is weaker.  Try grabbing and holding something in the palm of your hand without using your thumb.  It's possible, yet very difficult.  The higher you rise on the scale from cynic to disciple the greater will become your value of community.  And as you grow as a disciple you will recognize your responsibility to help strengthen that community.

Here are some additional resources:

My book on discipleship and spiritual mentoring entitled 360º Christian:
http://www.adventsource.org/as30/store-productDetails.aspx?ID=37058

Connections:
Connections is a spiritual gifts training course that was adapted from a course and book called Network by Bruce Bugbee, Don Cousins, and Bill Hybels.  Their resource was "transposed" to serve the SDA context by the North American Division Evangelism Institute (NADEI). You can find the entire resource here:
http://www.nadei.org/transaction_detail.php?id=97

The workbook contains extensive assessment materials for finding your spiritual gift and finding a good fit for ministry. There are portions that can be utilized apart from attending the seminar (i.e. the assessments) The participant workbook is here:
http://www.nadei.org/transaction_detail.php?id=96 

You can also find the entire series of training videos from the course adapted by a local pastor here:
http://vimeo.com/album/217334

Additional links:
Survey and definition of various spiritual gifts:
http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_wmn_SpiritualGifts_List.pdf

Biblical Comparison of spiritual gifts lists:
https://www.uniquelyyou.com/sgift.php
*please note that the entire uniquely you website is a great resource for developing spiritual gifts and understanding personality styles, etc.

Spiritual gifts assessment for young people:
http://www.kodachrome.org/spiritgiftyouth/
*There is also an adult spiritual gift on the same site.

Lastly, here are some cool, inspirational videos relating talents and spiritual gifts. Remember, God can use any "authentic" talent to bring glory to Himself and expand His kingdom. How do you plan to impact the world for God's glory?