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Discover Your Spiritual Gifts
Every believer receives a gifting from the Holy Spirit at the time of the new birth. But God also equips each believer throughout his or her life to use that gift in different ways for the purpose
115 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 1995
117 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
C. Peter Wagner
196 books46 followersCharles Peter Wagner (August 15, 1930 – October 21, 2016) was a theologian, missiologist, missionary, writer, teacher, and church growth specialist best known for his highly controversial writings on spiritual warfare.
Wagner served as a missionary in Bolivia under the South American Mission and Andes Evangelical Mission (now SIM International) from 1956 to 1971. He then served for 30 years (1971 to 2001) as Professor of Church Growth at the Fuller Theological Seminary's School of World Missions until his retirement in 2001. He is the author of more than 70 books. He was the president of Global Harvest Ministries from 1993 to 2011 and served as the chancellor emeritus of Wagner Leadership Institute, which trains leaders to join in a movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation, an organization Wagner also helped found. He was also the vice president of Global Spheres, Inc.
Excerpted from: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._Pete...]
Wagner served as a missionary in Bolivia under the South American Mission and Andes Evangelical Mission (now SIM International) from 1956 to 1971. He then served for 30 years (1971 to 2001) as Professor of Church Growth at the Fuller Theological Seminary's School of World Missions until his retirement in 2001. He is the author of more than 70 books. He was the president of Global Harvest Ministries from 1993 to 2011 and served as the chancellor emeritus of Wagner Leadership Institute, which trains leaders to join in a movement known as the New Apostolic Reformation, an organization Wagner also helped found. He was also the vice president of Global Spheres, Inc.
Excerpted from: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C._Pete...]
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
July 16, 2021
I don't really know what to do with this thing . . .
On one hand I agree with his premise. I do see that ministry is not just for the pastor of a church and the people need to help each other. We are all called to ministry, we are all called to different tasks, and all of the tasks work together to build the body of Christ both by adding new members to the body and by helping members on their journey of sanctification. I mostly agree with what he says.
How he gets there is a bit . . . strange I guess. He really only uses three verses, mostly taken out of context, seems to contradict himself on numerous occasions, and relies heavily on personal opinions and experiences.
All of these should be huge conversations, but he seems to just cruise by them:
Can gifts be learned? (no)
Are gifts for a lifetime? (yes . . . but you can stop using them)
How many gifts are there? (25 biblical, 3 he mentions but doesn't count, 3 he adds because of feelings, 1 that can't be tested for, and at least 3 that would be highly debatable)
Can people want gifts they don’t have? (Maybe . . . unclear)
Can an office and a gift be separated? (yes, but they shouldn't be)
Does God give certain gifts at certain times? (no, unless you stop using them . . .)
Do non-believers have gifts? (no, they have special talents but not gifts)
When did you get your gifts? (Baptism of the Holy Spirit (another debatable point))
Are some gifts better than others? (technically no, but his is being an apostle and teaching, so he had some cool ones to begin with. Too bad for the suckers with celibacy and martyrdom)
Was Paul celibate? (unlikely, single during his writing no doubt, but not for his entire life)
Does knowing your spiritual gift help the church grow? (unclear . . . but sure why not)
Keep in mind this was only at 45 pages and all of these should be nice long conversations.
And that’s ignoring the verses out of context and the incredible stretching the metaphor of the church as a body he’s done.
Also, the whole concept is fairly recent (1970) maybe 1900 if you attribute it to the Pentecostal revival which was considered a cult for a long time. The Pentecostal movement started right after DL Moody died and can clearly be blamed for a lot of the poor teaching in the modern church. It was the fastest growing denomination for much of the last 100 years and is much more focused on an individual’s experience with God and the Holy Spirit’s work. That is all from this book, I didn't do any extra research for this.
And, I have never once mentioned speaking in tongues, being an apostle, interpreting tongues, or performing exorcisms. Not that any of these are "bad" but these would all be hotly debated topics in any church. He gladly assigns people these gifts.
This is so geared towards an individual that we've completely removed the sovereign providence of Jesus Christ. We've completely removed Him from the situation in order to buy into some very weak pop-psychology to try to get some direction.
I'm seeking that direction too. I've already taken 3 or 4 of these tests online, but at the end of the day we have to step back and let God work. He has created us for this moment, He has prepared good works for us, He will see us through any trial or tribulation.
While some of this is interesting and might point you in a direction (I don't know if I'd say right direction, but a direction never the less), we have to trust in Him. Wait on Him. And believe in Him. He is the master of heaven and earth; He will put you where He wants you. He is also your loving father; He will put you where you want to be.
I think that most of the time, we don't even realize we are doing His work because it doesn't even seem like work. IF we are in Him (through trusting and obeying) then He is in us, and we will produce fruit. The key is truly to trust and obey.
Trust and obey
for there's no other way
to be happy in Jesus,
but to trust and obey.
I recommend Love the Lord with all You Mind by J.P. Moreland.
On one hand I agree with his premise. I do see that ministry is not just for the pastor of a church and the people need to help each other. We are all called to ministry, we are all called to different tasks, and all of the tasks work together to build the body of Christ both by adding new members to the body and by helping members on their journey of sanctification. I mostly agree with what he says.
How he gets there is a bit . . . strange I guess. He really only uses three verses, mostly taken out of context, seems to contradict himself on numerous occasions, and relies heavily on personal opinions and experiences.
All of these should be huge conversations, but he seems to just cruise by them:
Can gifts be learned? (no)
Are gifts for a lifetime? (yes . . . but you can stop using them)
How many gifts are there? (25 biblical, 3 he mentions but doesn't count, 3 he adds because of feelings, 1 that can't be tested for, and at least 3 that would be highly debatable)
Can people want gifts they don’t have? (Maybe . . . unclear)
Can an office and a gift be separated? (yes, but they shouldn't be)
Does God give certain gifts at certain times? (no, unless you stop using them . . .)
Do non-believers have gifts? (no, they have special talents but not gifts)
When did you get your gifts? (Baptism of the Holy Spirit (another debatable point))
Are some gifts better than others? (technically no, but his is being an apostle and teaching, so he had some cool ones to begin with. Too bad for the suckers with celibacy and martyrdom)
Was Paul celibate? (unlikely, single during his writing no doubt, but not for his entire life)
Does knowing your spiritual gift help the church grow? (unclear . . . but sure why not)
Keep in mind this was only at 45 pages and all of these should be nice long conversations.
And that’s ignoring the verses out of context and the incredible stretching the metaphor of the church as a body he’s done.
Also, the whole concept is fairly recent (1970) maybe 1900 if you attribute it to the Pentecostal revival which was considered a cult for a long time. The Pentecostal movement started right after DL Moody died and can clearly be blamed for a lot of the poor teaching in the modern church. It was the fastest growing denomination for much of the last 100 years and is much more focused on an individual’s experience with God and the Holy Spirit’s work. That is all from this book, I didn't do any extra research for this.
And, I have never once mentioned speaking in tongues, being an apostle, interpreting tongues, or performing exorcisms. Not that any of these are "bad" but these would all be hotly debated topics in any church. He gladly assigns people these gifts.
This is so geared towards an individual that we've completely removed the sovereign providence of Jesus Christ. We've completely removed Him from the situation in order to buy into some very weak pop-psychology to try to get some direction.
I'm seeking that direction too. I've already taken 3 or 4 of these tests online, but at the end of the day we have to step back and let God work. He has created us for this moment, He has prepared good works for us, He will see us through any trial or tribulation.
While some of this is interesting and might point you in a direction (I don't know if I'd say right direction, but a direction never the less), we have to trust in Him. Wait on Him. And believe in Him. He is the master of heaven and earth; He will put you where He wants you. He is also your loving father; He will put you where you want to be.
I think that most of the time, we don't even realize we are doing His work because it doesn't even seem like work. IF we are in Him (through trusting and obeying) then He is in us, and we will produce fruit. The key is truly to trust and obey.
Trust and obey
for there's no other way
to be happy in Jesus,
but to trust and obey.
I recommend Love the Lord with all You Mind by J.P. Moreland.
August 28, 2022
A nice, biblical breakdown of spiritual gifts.
August 15, 2019
Informative about spiritual gifts yet it seemed more of a questionnaire and study guide than an in depth look at the spiritual gifts. It seems more of an autobiography of the writers experiences than a help in discovering your own.
July 6, 2013
This book was okay. I've been doing some research on spiritual gifts lately, and I've come to the conclusion that although I've been able to identify one of my gifts with a fair degree of certainty, I'm probably going to have to wait until I'm a bit older and have more experience to ascertain what other gifts I may have. This book is a fairly good starting place, giving you a quick overview of the history behind and the scriptural references to spiritual giftings, and short descriptions of each gift. It also has a questionnaire for you to fill out. I've taken a few tests from different places now, and I've gotten everything from exhortation, mercy, teaching, administration, discernment and faith, but the one that's consistently come up (and the one I connect to the most when I read about it) is knowledge. Ultimately, you can take all of the tests in the world, but until you actually experience it in real life it's just going to be words on paper. This book is a launching point, but you're going to want to do more research afterwards.
April 4, 2014
This book was extremely helpful in getting me started on my search to figure out what my spiritual gifts are. It's a keeper and a re-read, as new gifts may come along as one matures on their spiritual journey. It has a questionnaire and glossary of spiritual gifts which were a huge help. I really needed this book at this time.
May 3, 2017
For being such a short book, it did a thorough job at giving a sufficient understanding of the gifts, their role in Christianity, and great tips to help discover one's own. Highly recommended for someone who wants a quick lesson on the basics!
April 28, 2023
I found the assessment useful, but the author has a tendency to state assumption/opinion as Biblical fact, rather than acknowledging it as his interpretation. And I do not agree with everything he says.
March 1, 2022
I'm generally not a fan of spiritual gift inventories or enneagram types or anything like that -- most of the people I know who take those don't use them as encouragement to strengthen their weaknesses, they use them as justifications for them and revel in them instead of working to better themselves. No thank you.
Recently, however, I've been convicted about learning more about spiritual gifts so I can more fully become the person God created me to be. I've heard a lot of good things about C. Peter Wagner's method, so I picked it up.
This book is easy to read and presents a clear, biblical argument for knowing and developing our spiritual gifts. It's a good intro to the topic, and it includes a survey to help discover your gifts (though he does clarify that it is NOT the end-all, be-all as he encourages readers to pray and consult with church leaders, which I appreciate).
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I wish there had been more specifics about the gifts, but I believe he discusses those in a larger, more detailed book.
Recently, however, I've been convicted about learning more about spiritual gifts so I can more fully become the person God created me to be. I've heard a lot of good things about C. Peter Wagner's method, so I picked it up.
This book is easy to read and presents a clear, biblical argument for knowing and developing our spiritual gifts. It's a good intro to the topic, and it includes a survey to help discover your gifts (though he does clarify that it is NOT the end-all, be-all as he encourages readers to pray and consult with church leaders, which I appreciate).
Overall, I enjoyed the book. I wish there had been more specifics about the gifts, but I believe he discusses those in a larger, more detailed book.
November 30, 2021
This really provided an interesting overview of spiritual gifts in the church, from a historical perspective. That was probably the most helpful bit, along with the autobiographical components. I found an online version of the test from Chapter 7, which I found more beneficial/faster to complete than if I'd done that in the physical book. It was interesting to compare with the tests I'd taken in high school (20+ years ago!), with some overlap, and gaps elsewhere.
Interesting to read some of the other reviews, which were much more articulate than I'd gotten in my own head - especially since I read this in spurts. :) I appreciated how one review in particular noted the incongruencies within the text that I hadn't picked up on.
So, it was a helpful read - as were, equally, the reviews!
Interesting to read some of the other reviews, which were much more articulate than I'd gotten in my own head - especially since I read this in spurts. :) I appreciated how one review in particular noted the incongruencies within the text that I hadn't picked up on.
So, it was a helpful read - as were, equally, the reviews!
January 13, 2019
This is a very brief book on the history and understanding of spiritual giftedness. There are other more comprehensive resources out there on the topic of spiritual gifts, but this book is helpful in assessing what your top spiritual gifts may be.
April 27, 2023
Pretty basic book if you're looking for information about Spiritual Gifts. I felt he did a lot of self promotion a few times and the gifts inventory at the end was not as good as others I've taken. (mostly the way the questions were written)
May 30, 2025
I really enjoyed learning about the spiritual gifts that I hold. I hope someday that I can use them to my full potential and become more involved with my church. If you are religious in Christianity, I do recommend checking this out.
Read
April 27, 2020Mielenkiintoinen esitys armolahjoista.
August 1, 2020
This book/guide did a good job at explaining what spiritual gifts are and are not. It also helps determine what your gifts are.
March 23, 2022
Aside from the use of some potentially confusing terminology, this is an excellent little book based on Scripture.
April 3, 2024
Really practical, helpful, & thorough but also quite brief. Ideal book
March 19, 2025
28 Spiritual Gifts, so we have more than 9 gifts.
Read your Bible sha.
Thank you, C. Peter Wagner.
Read your Bible sha.
Thank you, C. Peter Wagner.
September 19, 2012
Do we really know what our spiritual gifts are? That question is at the heart of Peter Wagner’s book in which he states that not knowing one’s gifts could lead to missing out on God’s best plan for one’s personal life. He notes that argument for the cessation of spiritual gifts after the apostles departed is an endangered doctrine and more churches have experienced dynamic movement of the spirit since 1900 along with the ministry of all believers since the early 1972. God has designed the church on the model of an organism, which makes spiritual gifts foundational to understanding church organization. The author posits that our identity in the body of Christ is determined to a significant degree by our gifts-mix, which not only reveals our calling, but also glorifies God. Wagner outlines a list of 28 spiritual gifts, their relation to the governmental offices in public ministry, and some common pairings in their performance. He further states that the gifts are given in varying degrees and may be classified in many different ways. Believers must watch out for the pitfalls of having a short list of gifts, a situational view of gifts, gift exaltation, and gift projection. He points out that multigifted people may have dominant and subordinate gifts based on the season of their ministry but advises that we should not confuse gifts with talents, the fruit of the spirit, Christian roles, or counterfeit gifts. The author discusses four prerequisites and five steps toward discovering one’s spiritual gifts. This is a short and wonderful book that can easily be read in a couple of hours. Additionally, Wagner concludes by providing the Wagner-modified Houts questionnaire that can be used to identify and seek confirmation for one’s spiritual gifts. The questionnaire was easily completed and scored in about thirty minutes and for those who are familiar with psychological tools this is an enlightening instrument for identifying spiritual gifts which should then be confirmed in the context of church ministry. The book doesn’t address how these spiritual gifts could be used outside of the church context.
January 31, 2015
"...God matches the gifts He gives us to our temperament and our personality." ~ C. Peter Wagner, Discover Your Spiritual Gifts, p. 77
According to C. Peter Wager and his study on spiritual gifts, he lists there are 28 spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible, but he concludes that there may be more, that have not been listed in the Bible and that the Holy Spirit could distribute to the body of Christ.
The following is the 28 gifts of the Holy Spirit that C. Peter Wagner expounds on:
* Administration
* Apostle
* Celibacy
* Deliverance
* Discerning of Spirits
* Evangelist
* Exhortation
* Faith
* Giving
* Healing
* Helps
* Hospitality
* Intercession
* Interpretation of Tongues
* Knowledge
* Leadership
* Leading Worship
* Martyrdom
* Mercy
* Miracles
* Missionary
* Pastor
* Prophecy
* Service
* Teaching
* Tonques
* Voluntary Poverty
* Wisdom
At the end of this book there is a Spiritual Gifts Test that has 135 questions that you can answer that help you discover what kind of gift(s) of the Spirit that God has given to you. C. Peter Wagner also gives practical ways that you can experiment and confirm your gifts within the Body of Christ.
God desires for you to discover your spiritual gifts, so that you can take your place in the kingdom of God!
According to C. Peter Wager and his study on spiritual gifts, he lists there are 28 spiritual gifts mentioned in the Bible, but he concludes that there may be more, that have not been listed in the Bible and that the Holy Spirit could distribute to the body of Christ.
The following is the 28 gifts of the Holy Spirit that C. Peter Wagner expounds on:
* Administration
* Apostle
* Celibacy
* Deliverance
* Discerning of Spirits
* Evangelist
* Exhortation
* Faith
* Giving
* Healing
* Helps
* Hospitality
* Intercession
* Interpretation of Tongues
* Knowledge
* Leadership
* Leading Worship
* Martyrdom
* Mercy
* Miracles
* Missionary
* Pastor
* Prophecy
* Service
* Teaching
* Tonques
* Voluntary Poverty
* Wisdom
At the end of this book there is a Spiritual Gifts Test that has 135 questions that you can answer that help you discover what kind of gift(s) of the Spirit that God has given to you. C. Peter Wagner also gives practical ways that you can experiment and confirm your gifts within the Body of Christ.
God desires for you to discover your spiritual gifts, so that you can take your place in the kingdom of God!
August 5, 2009
This little book gets straight to the point, managing to present a lot of information in a manner that is clear, direct, and concise. Wagner's organizational approach made comprehension and retention suprisingly easy for a topic that with such potential for confusion. I was also impressed with how he clearly differentiates between cited sources and his own opinions. Overall, I think that this is an excellent starting point for anyone interested in this subject.
September 16, 2014
For being the smaller version of the real book, it did an excellent job of explaining and introducing the spiritual gifts. Not only that, but also giving you an idea how to use them and which spirituals you have as a christian. I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone who wants to discover their spiritual gifts.
June 6, 2016
Read this book and took the survey in the appendix as part of a Sunday School class. A very good primer and introduction to the theology of "Spiritual Gifts". I highly recommend this book for classes and groups beginning their exploration of this most important (and critical to congregational growth) subject.
February 3, 2023
A much better guide to spiritual gifts than previous books I’ve read.
I appreciate the history included at the beginning of the book which lays a good foundation.
Lots of scripture references, good questions throughout each chapter as well as the main questionnaire and glossary in the back of the book.
Wish more churches would utilize this book.
I appreciate the history included at the beginning of the book which lays a good foundation.
Lots of scripture references, good questions throughout each chapter as well as the main questionnaire and glossary in the back of the book.
Wish more churches would utilize this book.
May 23, 2011
Content was very similar to what the Siena Institute offers for the Roman Catholic Church.
Read
December 9, 2015i wish to learn about spiritual warfare
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews