Spiritual Gifts vs. Fruit of the Spirit
Today's Reflection
Have you ever heard someone say, “My spiritual gift is patience”? Or perhaps, “My spiritual gift is joy”; or possibly, “My spiritual gift is kindness.” As fine as these attributes are, they are not typically considered spiritual gifts, at least not in the writings of Paul we will address in this book. They are, however, listed in Galatians 5:22-23—along with love, peace, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—as being part of “the fruit of the Spirit.” These qualities are often confused with spiritual gifts. It is not uncommon for some persons, when asked what their gifts are, to respond with some aspect of the fruit of the Spirit.
—Christine Harman, For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today's Question
How do you think spiritual gifts differ from the fruit of the Spirit? Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
—Galatians 5:22-23 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
Holy God, help me discover the gifts you have given me and find ways to use these gifts for the common good of others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Join The Academy for Spiritual Formation for a transformative hybrid experience that will empower you to live a more integrated life of peace and justice. Click here to learn more about Spirituality in Practice: Embodied Imagination for Life and Liberation and how you can apply today!
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
2 Comments | Join the Conversation.Serving from Our Spiritual Gifts
Today's Reflection
As we serve from our spiritual gifts, we discover more about God, ourselves, and our relationship with God. We can gain a deeper understanding of the priesthood of all believers. . . . The purpose of our call has two directions. It is first directed toward God and for God’s glory. It is also directed toward our fellow human beings to enable humanity to live its fullest potential with the abundance Jesus spoke of in the Gospel of John (see 10:10).
—Christine Harman, For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today's Question
How can using your spiritual gifts help you to live a more abundant life? Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
[Jesus said,] I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.
—John 10:10 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
Holy God, help me discover the gifts you have given me and find ways to use these gifts for the common good of others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Join The Academy for Spiritual Formation for a transformative hybrid experience that will empower you to live a more integrated life of peace and justice. Click here to learn more about Spirituality in Practice: Embodied Imagination for Life and Liberation and how you can apply today!
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
2 Comments | Join the Conversation.For the Common Good
Today's Reflection
This book was written to serve as the primary text for a Lay Servant Ministries advanced course on spiritual gifts. This course is available to and recommended for everyone. If you are pursuing a designation within the Lay Servant Ministries program, it is helpful to take this course at the beginning of your call to Lay Servant Ministry. It can help confirm the direction of your call, or it can help you discern the direction in which your call may be taking you.
—Christine Harman, For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today's Question
How do you think understanding spiritual gifts can help you grow in your discipleship?
Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
—Matthew 28:18-20 (NRSVUE)
Prayer for the Week
Holy God, help me discover the gifts you have given me and find ways to use these gifts for the common good of others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Join The Academy for Spiritual Formation for a transformative hybrid experience that will empower you to live a more integrated life of peace and justice. Click here to learn more about Spirituality in Practice: Embodied Imagination for Life and Liberation and how you can apply today!
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
2 Comments | Join the Conversation.Living Out Our Call
Today's Reflection
Church membership is not the same as discipleship. While this seems like a patently obvious statement that should not require debate, the lived-out practice in many local churches has turned it around. Why has this happened? We have spent decades placing an emphasis on tracking how many members a local church has, how many people attend worship, and a variety of other measures. While this data is important, it is far more important to look underneath it to see the true story of a community of disciples living out their call. . . . Do we spend more time in a new members’ class talking about the bygone history of our congregation, or do we talk about the vision to which God calls us? We need to focus more on the spiritual needs of individuals, from cradle to grave, and how the congregation can help people live into the fullness of their discipleship through mission and ministry.
—Christine Harman, For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today's Question
What are your spiritual gifts? If you don't know, consider taking the Spiritual Gifts Inventory provided in For the Common Good. Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
Serve each other according to the gift each person has received, as good managers of God’s diverse gifts.
—1 Peter 4:10 (CEB)
Prayer for the Week
Holy God, help me discover the gifts you have given me and find ways to use these gifts for the common good of others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Join The Academy for Spiritual Formation for a transformative hybrid experience that will empower you to live a more integrated life of peace and justice. Click here to learn more about Spirituality in Practice: Embodied Imagination for Life and Liberation and how you can apply today!
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
0 Comments | Join the Conversation.God Calls Us to Love Others
Today's Reflection
God’s agape love is what we are called to express toward others for the common good, and our grace gifts are given for the express purpose of doing just that. God has demonstrated love for us and calls us, in turn, to demonstrate that love toward others.
. . . Whether you journey with a small group or a class of some kind, I pray you will come to understand your spiritual grace gifts as expressions of God’s love and then choose to use them for the love of others—the common good.
—Christine Harman, For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today's Question
In what ways are you using your spiritual gifts for the common good? Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
[Agape love] always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
—1 Corinthians 13:7-8 (NIV)
Prayer for the Week
Holy God, help me discover the gifts you have given me and find ways to use these gifts for the common good of others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Join The Academy for Spiritual Formation for a transformative hybrid experience that will empower you to live a more integrated life of peace and justice. Click here to learn more about Spirituality in Practice: Embodied Imagination for Life and Liberation and how you can apply today!
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
1 Comments | Join the Conversation.God’s Grace Gifts
Today's Reflection
God’s grace gifts are the province of God to grant. The phrase “spiritual gifts” is unique to Paul’s writings, and the Greek word he uses is based in the word charis, which means “grace,” with the plural of that being charismata. This reminds us that all these gifts come from God’s grace; and so, it is helpful to think of them as “grace gifts,” the unmerited blessings God freely bestows upon us to help us grow in our relationship with God and fulfill our call to discipleship and ministry. Grace gifts are not self-made realities for which we can take credit. Their presence comes solely from the triune God, and they are, in reality, the first equipping tool God extends.
—Christine Harman, For the Common Good: Discovering and Using Your Spiritual Gifts (Upper Room Books, 2021)
Today's Question
What spiritual gifts has God given you? How often do you exercise your grace gifts?
Join the conversation.
Today's Scripture
We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
—Romans 12:6 (NIV)
Prayer for the Week
Holy God, help me discover the gifts you have given me and find ways to use these gifts for the common good of others. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
Submit your prayer to The Upper Room.
Something More
Join The Academy for Spiritual Formation for a transformative hybrid experience that will empower you to live a more integrated life of peace and justice. Click here to learn more about Spirituality in Practice: Embodied Imagination for Life and Liberation and how you can apply today!
Lectionary Readings
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Looking for lectionary-based resources? Learn more about The Upper Room Disciplines.
1 Comments | Join the Conversation.