Know what? God gives each of us a talent that we can use to serve Him and to help fellow believers in Christ (see Romans 12:7-8). The talent, or gift, may not be as glamorous as being a popular singer or sports star, but it’s just as important.

Do you know what your gift is? Take the following quiz to discover which gift God has possibly given you to minister in His name.

1. Your youth group decides to go on a missions trip to a poor area in South America. The thing you’d like most to do is
a. help build a school for the children.
b. teach Bible stories and verses to the children.
c. tell everyone what a great job they’re doing when they start feeling discouraged.
d. use part of your paycheck to buy food and clothes for the children.
e. organize the teens into work groups, and decide who will do what.
f. hold and care for the children who are sick.

2. Your friend’s mom is battling the flu. Her dad lives in another state, so she’s trying to keep up her homework plus take care of her four younger siblings so her mom can sleep. You jump in to help by
a. doing the dishes and laundry.
b. teaching her younger brother how to conquer adding fractions.
c. encouraging her siblings to work together to keep things running smoothly.
d. buying ice cream to cheer everyone up.
e. assigning the children various chores in order to clean up the house.
f. comforting the youngest child who’s upset because her mom isn’t able to hold her.

3. It’s time for Vacation Bible School at church. The pastor is encouraging the teens to find a way to be involved. You’d like to
a. prepare the daily snack.
b. teach the preschool class.
c. write notes to all the workers, telling them what a great job they’re doing.
d. donate money for needed supplies.
e. arrange the snack, craft and story time schedule for the different age groups.
f. sit with the children and make sure no one feels left out.

4. Your cousin flunked her math test. The first thing you do is
a. offer to complete homework together each night.
b. teach her how to do the problems she missed on the test.
c. tell her that you’re sure she’ll do better next time. She’s sure to catch on soon.
d. offer to give her as much time as she needs for you to tutor her in math.
e. map out a study plan for her.
f. tell her you’re sorry she didn’t do well on the test, and you hope she does better next time.

5. Your friend’s grandfather dies. You feel bad and
a. help her clean her room before out-of-town relatives arrive.
b. read the younger siblings a Christian picture book about heaven.
c. assure your friend that even though she misses her grandfather, he’s happy in heaven.
d. send a special plant to the funeral home.
e. help organize the after-funeral dinner.
f. be a listener when your friend needs to talk.

Scoring
Keep in mind, this quiz is meant to suggest a possibility of the gift God has equipped you with. The quiz doesn’t offer a definite answer to how God has gifted you. Consider the outcome of this quiz, ask people who know you well what areas of strength they see in you, and ask God to reveal the gift He’s given you. After doing these things and taking time to learn what you love and what you do well, then you’ll have an even better idea of your gift.

Mostly A’s: Your gift might be service. You like to do special things to help, just as Martha in the Bible did. Without the servers, there’d be no groups that make baby clothes for missionaries to give away, no fellowship meals or special church projects. But, as Martha’s example illustrates, don’t get so caught up in “doing” that you forget to worship.

Mostly B’s: Teaching might be your thing. There’s a big need for teachers. Without teachers there’d be no Sunday school classes, vacation Bible school programs or Christian schools. Don’t think you have to wait until you’re an adult to teach; ask your pastor if you can assist a Sunday school teacher or take a class for the summer to give a teacher a break.

Mostly C’s: You might have the gift of encouragement. Your notes and words of kindness give a boost to those around you. Why not drop a note of thanks and encouragement to a different person on your church’s staff each week? You could also start a personal ministry of writing to missionaries who are far from home.

Mostly D’s: You may be a giver. You give your time and money to help with worthy causes. All of us should give our time and money to do God’s work, but people like you go above and beyond what others do. Because of people with the gift of giving, churches can support missionaries, pay the pastor and keep up with church expenses.

Mostly E’s: God might use you in a leadership position. You like to organize and take charge. But be careful not to think you can do it all on your own. The Apostle Paul was a great leader, but he always prayed for guidance and took helpers with him on his journeys.

Mostly F’s: You may have the gift of mercy or comforting people. You listen to others’ needs and know what to say and when it’s best not to say anything. You reach out to others in their time of need, and they know they can count on you for support.

Whichever gift or gifts you have, find a way to use them to build up the church today!