TALENTS & ABILITIES
- Personality traits, talents and abilitties are linked to genetics, tempered by our environment. The way God designed us in our Mother’s womb.
- Spiritual gifts are a manifestation of the Spirit, tempered by our walk with God.
Are given and at the point of our salvation and enhanced according to our walk with God.
Talents and abilities are not part of the spiritual gifts mentioned in the main verse on the list of Spiritual Gifts….they are however, very important in our service to God and others and how we can minister to people’s needs and in our worship to God.
Singing / Music
These talents gives a believer the capability to present personal witness and inspiration to others through instrumental music, singing, or dance expression.
Singing and playing instruments is not an invention of modern man. Down through the centuries as God spoke through the prophets we see in the Bible how the people of God praised Him in song and instruments as well as through spoken prayers that were sung.
John not only saw believers singing he also "heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne (of God) and ... sang" His praises. (Revelation 5:11) .
Another example of singing God's praise is found in 2 Chronicles 5:12-14 where it describes the opening of King Solomon's newly built temple. "All the Levites who were musicians - Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun and their sons and relatives - stood on the east side of the altar, dressed in fine linen and playing cymbals, harps and lyres. They were accompanied by 120 priests sounding trumpets. The trumpeters and singers joined in unison as with one voice, to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, they raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: `He is good; His love endures forever.' Then the temple of the Lord was filled with a cloud ... for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God
Proverbs 15:13 says that a merry heart doeth good like a medicine….so that alone tells us how important it should be to sing and praise God….James 5:13 says, Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Ephesiains 5:19 says, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord..
These special talents enables those that have it to praise God through music in such a way as to enhance the worship experience of not only themselves but other believers as well. It gives the believer the desire and capability to express personal faith and provide inspiration and comfort through the playing of a musical instrument, singing, or dancing. The spiritual aspect of the gift is revealed as the gift bearer gives witness to love and praise for the Lord, and thus glorifies God. Those listening or watching become inspired to feel the presence and majesty of God when music, song, or dance uplifts their soul in a manner that brings them closer to their Lord.
People with this gift:
- sing or play a musical instrument quite well, and enjoy it
- have special joy singing praises to God, either alone or with other people
- feel secure in the fact that their musical ability will be of benefit to other people with whom they come in contact
- can use their musical ability to help and inspire others to worship God
- see that their singing or instrument playing is a spiritual encouragement for others.
1 Samuel 16:14-23 Psalm 96:1-2 Psalm 100:1-2 Psalm 149:3
1 Corinthians 14:26 Colossians 3:16 2 Chronicles 5:12-13 2 Samuel 6:14-15
People with this gift:
- sing or play a musical instrument quite well, and enjoy it
- have special joy singing praises to God, either alone or with other people
- feel secure in the fact that their musical ability will be of benefit to other people with whom they come in contact
- can use their musical ability to help and inspire others to worship God
- see that their singing or instrument playing is a spiritual encouragement for others.
1 Samuel 16:14-23 Psalm 96:1-2 Psalm 100:1-2 Psalm 149:3
1 Corinthians 14:26 Colossians 3:16 2 Chronicles 5:12-13 2 Samuel 6:14-15
Dancing
Dancing is a form or act of celebration and expression of ones feeling of joy and happiness. In scripture dancing was a way to express the children of Israel
When the Israelites safely crossed the Red Sea and the Egyptian army was destroyed, Miriam and the other Israelite women danced for joy on the banks of the Red Sea (Exodus 15:20-21). Other Scriptures that illustrate celebrations by dancing are Judges 11:34, I Samuel 18:6-7, and Luke 15:25.
Jeremiah said that when joy left the people, dancing would cease (Lamentations 5:15). There was dancing at the father's house when the prodigal son returned (Luke 15:25). Other Scriptures that talk about dancing for joy are Psalms 30:11 and Jeremiah 31:4,13.
David danced before the ark of God as he attempted to bring the ark to Jerusalem
If you read all these scripture you will notice some similarities between these dances? In each case, the people dancing either danced alone or with members of their own sex. Not one of these dances involved men dancing with women. Each dance was an expression of the dancer's feelings. The dances were not done for exercise or to entertain other people, but in the form of worship.
There are other scriptures that talk about people dancing as well. But they were not dancing as a part of worship but in drunken feast. I Samuel 30:16…Exodus 32:6,19.
These people danced as a form of entertainment. While they were also done as part of celebrations, they however celebrated the works of man instead of God. These celebrations were often associated with drunkenness and wild partiesIn the list of the works of the flesh, in Galatians 5:19-21, Paul mentions revelries. Revelries are wild parties that usually include drinking and dancing. Herodius's daughter danced to entertain her stepfather and his guests. The dancing so pleased her stepfather that he rashly promised her anything she wanted, up to half his kingdom Matthew 14:6-8 and Mark 6:22-23. Because of this dance, John the Baptist lost his life.
Craftsmanship / Artist / Acting
These talent give the believer the skill to create artistic expressions that produce a spiritual response of strength and inspiration. Skilled Craft - the gift that enables a believer to create, build, maintain, or repair items used within the church. This ability covers a wide range of different types of abilties that people can have from being a good salesperson to twirling a baton. Colossians 3:23 tells us that whatever we do, work at it with all our hearts as unto the Lord not unto man!
These abilities have divine enablements to creatively design and/or construct items to be used for ministry or the divine enablement to communicate God's truth through a variety of art forms.
People with this gift:
- work with wood, cloth, paint, metal, glass, and other raw materials
- make things which increase the effectiveness of other's ministries
- design and build tangible items and resources for ministry use
- work with different kinds of tools and are skilled with their hands
- use the arts to communicate God's truth
- develop and use artistic skills such as drama, writing, art, music, dance, etc.
- use variety and creativity to captivate people and cause them to consider Christ's message
- challenge people's perspective of God through various forms of the arts
- demonstrate fresh ways to express the Lord's ministry and message.
I Kings 5 talks about a number of these type of skilled craftsmen.
These abilities have divine enablements to creatively design and/or construct items to be used for ministry or the divine enablement to communicate God's truth through a variety of art forms.
People with this gift:
- work with wood, cloth, paint, metal, glass, and other raw materials
- make things which increase the effectiveness of other's ministries
- design and build tangible items and resources for ministry use
- work with different kinds of tools and are skilled with their hands
- use the arts to communicate God's truth
- develop and use artistic skills such as drama, writing, art, music, dance, etc.
- use variety and creativity to captivate people and cause them to consider Christ's message
- challenge people's perspective of God through various forms of the arts
- demonstrate fresh ways to express the Lord's ministry and message.
I Kings 5 talks about a number of these type of skilled craftsmen.
Writing
This talent gives a believer the ability to express truth in a written form; a form that can edify, instruct and strengthen the community of believers.
The special God-given ability to formulate thoughts and ideas into meaningful written forms so that the reader will find courage, guidance, knowledge, or edification through the words shared with them.
The Bible was written by people with this gift.
People with this gift:
- may write stories, sermons, devotions, histories, prayers, songs, or poetry to be used to build up the body of Christ
- may be inspired by the Holy Spirit in what they write
- may teach God's word to others through what they write
- may use writing to express other gifts
- may be better at expressing their thoughts in written form than in verbal form.
Luke 1:1-3
1 John 2:1
1 John 2:12-14
1 Timothy 3:14-15
Jude 1:3
The special God-given ability to formulate thoughts and ideas into meaningful written forms so that the reader will find courage, guidance, knowledge, or edification through the words shared with them.
The Bible was written by people with this gift.
People with this gift:
- may write stories, sermons, devotions, histories, prayers, songs, or poetry to be used to build up the body of Christ
- may be inspired by the Holy Spirit in what they write
- may teach God's word to others through what they write
- may use writing to express other gifts
- may be better at expressing their thoughts in written form than in verbal form.
Luke 1:1-3
1 John 2:1
1 John 2:12-14
1 Timothy 3:14-15
Jude 1:3
Celibacy
Celibacy - This special ability God gives to some to voluntarily remain single without regret and with the ability to maintain control over sexual impulses so as to serve the Lord without distraction.
Celibacy is a state totally opposed to all of the biological, social, and emotional needs built into man or woman by God. Only God is able to overrule instincts and by grace control them so that a person can remain unmarried.
Being unmarried is not necessarily the same as having this gift. Those who have this gift remain single because they feel they can serve the Lord better that way.
People with this gift:
- remain single so as to be able to devote themselves completely to ministry
- have other gifts that they are able to use more effectively because they are celibate.
1 Corinthians 7:1-9
1 Corinthians 7:32-35
Matthew 19:10-12
PERSONALITY AND SOCIAL STYLE
Have you ever wondered why you hit it off with some people immediately, while with others it's like oil and water? That's because there are four primary distinct and predictable patterns of behavior. They are as follows:
- Driver
- Analytical
- Amiable
- Expressive
Once you know what these patterns of behavior are, you will better understand and have the key to unlock your ability to get along with others as well as understand why you act and feel the way you do.
While some people possess one main pattern, many others will have more of a blend. These styles are determined by your behavior tendencies and how you interact with other people. The key that I mentioned above in unlocking your ability to get along with others will be determined by your attitude and determination to understand others that are different from you and accept them for how God made them. Often times when you understand them you can overlook their faults and move on. You also can learn how to deal with each other according to what their social style is.
Ø Learn about your natural strengths and focus more on them. Learn to utilize your natural listening skills so that you can work with others to your advantage.
Ø Learn new ways to help others see the “true you.”
Ø Learn how to quickly and accurately identify another’s behavioral style.
Ø Discover how to modify your behavior, so you can effectively connect with everyone by treating them the way they want to be treated.
| Table of Equivalents for the 4 Personality Types | ||||
| Merrill-Reid | Driver | Expressive | Amiable | Analytical |
| D.E.S.A. | Dominant | Expressive | Solid | Analytical |
| Hippocrates Greek Terms (370 BC) | Choleric | Sanguine | Phlegmatic | Melancholy |
| Western Astrology | Fire | Air | Water | Earth |
| "What's My Style?" (WMS) | Direct | Spirited | Considerate | Systematic |
| The P's | Powerful | Popular | Peaceful | Perfect |
| The S's | Self-propelled | Spirited | Solid | Systematic |
| The A's | Administrative | Active | Amiable | Analytical |
| LEAD Test | Leader | Expressor | Dependable | Analyst |
| ARRAY (Jonathan Knaupp) | Production | Connection | Status Quo | Harmony |
| Biblical Characters | Paul | Peter | Abraham | Moses |
| Geier | Dominance | Influencing | Competence | Steadiness |
| DiSC(r) | Dominance | Influencing of Others | Steadiness | Cautiousness/ Compliance |
| McCarthy/4MAT System | Common Sense | Dynamic | Innovative | Analytic |
| Merrill / Wilson | Driver | Expressive | Amiable | Analytic |
| Plato (340 BC) | Guardian | Artisan | Philosopher | Scientist |
| Kretschner (1920) | Melancholic | Hypomanic | Anesthetic | Hyperasthetic |
| Sprangler (1930) | Religious | Aesthetic | Theoretic | Economic |
| From (1947) | Hoarding | Exploiting | Receptive | Marketing |
| Psycho-Geometrics (1978) | Triangle | Squiggle | Circle | Square/Rectangle |
| Type A or B | Type B Motivated | Type B Messy | Type A Casual | Type A Compulsive |
| PSI | Controller | Promoter | Supporter | Analyst |
| Brokenleg Reclaiming Youth at Risk | Mastery Achiever Power | Belonging Attached Significance | Generosity Altruistic Virtue | |
| Enneagram | Adventurer Achiever | Helper Romantic | Peacemaker Observer | Asserter Perfectionist |
| Animals | Bear | Monkey | Dolphin | Owl |
| True Colors(r) (1978) | Green | | Blue | Gold |
| Children's Literature | Rabbit | Tigger | Pooh | Eeyore |
| Charlie Brown Characters | Lucy | Snoopy | Charlie Brown | Linus |
| Jane Austen Novel Characters | Emma Woodhouse | | Elizabeth Bennet | Marianne Dashwood |
| Comics | Jason | Snoopy | Cathy | Ziggy |
| Who Moved My Cheese? (by Spencer Johnson, M.D.) | Sniff | Scurry | Haw | Hem |
| The Celestine Prophecy (by James Redfield) | Intimidator | Poor Me | Aloof | Interrogator |
