By Asela Jayarathne

What are gift ?

Gifts are special talents and abilities God has given us to serve him and each other.

“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.......................”(1 Peter 4 : 10)

What is the purpose of giving these gifts ?

Gifts are given to us and to children by almighty God to overcome the power of Satan and to do extraordinary things to make a change in both Christian and non-Christian lives.

We have a battle and our children have the same battle. So we all have to overcome the battle. That’s why God has given the gifts. Ephesians 6 : 12 - Battle against the power of the darkness (Satan)

God has given gifts to us and to our children, So that others may see our good deeds and praise our father in heaven. We should produce good results to glorify his name by using the talents he has given us.

God has given gifts to our children, because they are also the church. They are also the part of Christ’s body. Christ loves the church.

As children’s ministers our responsibility is to help our children to understand their gifts God has given them and help them to know

the true meaning of why these gifts given to them.

How can we help our children discover the Gifts God has given them ?

God always wants us to discover the gifts he has given us. You can would be able to help children to discover their gifts by following steps below.

01. Faith

Your FAITH would be the first thing which would enable you to discover your gifts God has given you. You should believe that God has given you gifts. God will never ask you anything that you are not trained for or anything that you lack. Take a look at what God said to his disciples. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit – fruit that will last. Then the father will give you whatever you ask in my name. “ John 15:16

According to the word of God, God has given you a gift. if this is not so the word of God would be a fraud. You would find it very difficult to believe this. This maybe because you might not have much experience as a Christian. But you must believe this as the word of God has never stated anything false.

Believe that you have a gift. Have faith in it. Thank God for it. Inquire to see the gift you have received.

02. Prayer

“..........you do not have, because you do not ask God....” James 4 : 2

You would understand your gift, if you ask from God.

But how much time I prayed about it, but I still don’t know what my gift is. You might think this way. Your gift might still be hidden within yourself. This might be so because you have a wrong attitude. James states about this....

“ When you ask you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasure. “ James 4: 03

God does not want us to discover the gifts he has given us. Instead we should promise God to strengthen those gifts and use them accordingly. Set your eyes upon Jesus, God will give you many opportunities to use your gifts.

03. Knowing your gifts

Faith and prayer is followed by the third step which is knowing your gifts. You should discover the gifts you have.

(Spiritual) Gifts in the new testament

1 Corinthians 12 : 28 (NIV)And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues.

Gift of Apostle Gift of Prophecy Gift of Teaching Gift of Miracles Gift of Healing Gift of Administrations Gift of Speaking in tongues Gift of Helping others

Romans 12 : 6-8 (NIV) We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully

Gift of Prophecy Gift of Serving Gift of Teaching Gift of Encouraging Gift of Contributing to the needs of others Gift of Leadership Gift of Showing mercy

Ephesians 4 : 11It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers,

Gift of Apostle Gift of Teaching Gift of Evangelism Gift of PastoringGift of Prophecy

1 Peter 4 : 11If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Gift of Speaking the word of God Gift of Serving

(Spiritual) Gifts in the old testament

Gift of Craftsmanship – Exodus 31 : 2-4 See, I have chosen Bezalel son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with skill, ability and knowledge in all kinds of crafts to make artistic designs for work in gold, silver and bronze,Gift of Music - 1 Samuel 16 : 18-19One of the servants answered, "I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows how to play the harp. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well and is a fine-looking man. And the LORD is with him."

These two gifts are not in the new testament because the early church was not built upon buildings but upon the people of God.

We can divide (Spiritual) gifts into three groups according to their nature.

Gifts of helping Gifts of serving Gifts of signs

Gift of ApostleGift of ProphecyGift of EvangelismGift of PastoringGift of Teaching

Gift of AdministrationGift of Encouraging/ CounselingGift of FaithGift of GivingGift of Helping othersGift of Showing mercy

Gift of Distinguish between spirits Gift of MiracleGift of HealingGift of Speaking in different tonguesGift of Interpreting tongues

Christ loves his church and gave all these gifts to the church. As I mentioned previously our children are also part of the church. We have kids churches, kids clubs , Sunday Schools etc. And all these are parts of Christ’s body as our adult church. As we can see all these gifts working at our adult church and among the adults they should be allowed to work among our children too.

04. Responsibility

God wants you to use your gifts he has given you. God has given you these gifts because your are a part of the church. Now God wants you to use your gifts for the church. When you keep doing your ministry you can recognize many more gifts too.

MORE EXPLANATION :

1. Do what you like to do2. Be careful with the needs of others3. Use your past experiences, What kind of areas you succeed in your ministry ? What kind of areas you satisfied in your ministry ? 4. Keep in your mind the things others say about your gifts. What are they saying about your talents and abilities ?

God always wants you to discover your gifts. He is very pleased with what he has given you. When you discover your gifts you can use it.

There are few ways you can use your gifts.

How can we use our gifts ?

1. Use every opportunity you have.

2. Read the books.

3. Encourage others to keep using their gifts.

4. Understand the value of your gifts

5. These gifts will build your self-esteem

Children in the Bible Who gifted ....

1. Joseph - Genesis 37 : 2

2. David - 1 Samuel 17 : 33

3. Solomon - 1 Kings 3 : 07

4. Josiah - 1 Chronicles 34 : 1 – 2

5. Jeremiah - Jeremiah 1 : 7

6. Timothy - Acts 16 : 1-3

God gifted children in the bible with his gifts and in the same way God wants to use our children today. The same way God gifted

children in the bible, God gifted the children we have today. Children in our Sunday

schools, in our kids clubs. God gifted them and God wants you to discover their gifts

and God wants you to help them to discover their gifts too. Then God wants to use them

in a very unique way today.

By Asela Jayarathne