Spiritual Gifts Spotlight

We have continued our study of Spiritual Gifts and this week our focus is on the 3 gifts of the hands. If you would like to join a study group or purchase the book, please contact the church office at 815-962-6061, or contact becca via e-mail.

The gifts of the hands are the gifts that "get to work". They are often the unseen gifts that do the work of the Body of Christ. These are gifts of love-in-action and are often taken for granted in the church. Without the gifts of the hands, however, the body of Christ might not accomplish its goals. The gifts of the hands are: Helping/ Giving-Aid, Serving, and Compassion.

The Gift Helping/ Giving Aid. These are often viewed as two different gifts, but in this study they’ll be grouped together. This gift often works behind the scenes to ensure needs are met and practical problems are solved. The characteristics of this gift are:

• Likes to relieve others of tasks so that they can do to other things.


• Often serves as an usher, office volunteer, or other "behind the scenes" worker.


• Enjoys helping out with the little details.


• Would rather keep records for a class than teach it.


• Can organize people and resources in order to meet practical needs.


• Enabled by God to develop plans that will help others in their ministries.


• Likes to work in practical, useful ways.


• Likes to assist and help others.

The Gift of Serving. This is the gift of doing for others--especially the weak, poor, or otherwise needy. This gift is unselfish often to its own detriment and is motivated by love for those who are served. While all Christians should serve, not all are recipients of this gift.

• Has a strong desire to meet the needs of other people.


• Usually notices the needs of others first.


• Has a special ability to recognize ways to minister without speaking or teaching.


• Likes to work in the background.


• Sees unmet needs.


• Willing to do the tasks that others often don’t want to do.


• Ministers to others and helps to meet their needs.


• Doesn’t mind helping even if they are taken advantage of or not appreciated.


• Finds great joy in serving others.

The Gift of Compassion. This is a unique gift that endows the giver with the ability to touch others inwardly with mercy and love. This gift not only wants to help others, but focuses on ways to best help others. This gift also makes people fundamentally aware of the presence of God and Christ in other people and challenges others to give of themselves to those in need.

• Is moved to radical action by the needs of others.


• Likes to visit with those who are in jail, sick, in the hospital or otherwise "shut in".


• Is able to console or comfort those who are discouraged or depressed.


• Can sense when others are hurting or in need.


• Has an ability to "touch" others in a way that brings comfort or consolation.


• Likes to work with those who are neglected by the rest of the world.


• Is very sensitive to words and actions that might hurt other people.


• Genuinely loves and cares.

Are these your gifts? Do you know someone who has these gifts? Continue your work in this study to find out your gifts and how best to use them!