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Discovering and Using Spiritual Gifts

Discovering and Using Spiritual Gifts: An Interview with Andy Reese

biblical principles christ-centered family clarity and purpose spiritual gifts Apr 04, 2025

Disclaimer: This blog post is an edited version of a transcribed interview. While we’ve worked to maintain the accuracy and value of the conversation, this is not a word-for-word transcription. To experience the full depth of the discussion, we encourage you to listen to the complete episode.

Watch on YouTube or listen on Raising Faithful Families podcast.

Why Understanding Spiritual Gifts Matters

Spiritual gifts are tools that God gives to empower believers to serve others and glorify Him. Paul compares the church to a human body where each part has a unique and essential role to play. Peter encourages believers to use their gifts to serve others faithfully, and Paul reminds us that love should always be at the heart of how we use these gifts.

But here’s the challenge: understanding spiritual gifts is often confusing. There are numerous interpretations, definitions, and approaches, which can leave believers feeling uncertain about their own gifts and how to use them.

That’s why I’m thrilled to introduce today’s guest, Andy Reese. Andy is a speaker, teacher, and author who founded a church partnership ministry called Freedom Prayer. He’s also the author of The Spiritual Gifts Blueprint, and today, he’s helping us cut through the confusion and break down spiritual gifts in a way that’s simple, biblical, and actionable.

Meet Andy Reese

Katy: I’m so excited to hear from you today about spiritual gifts, but first, I’d love for you to introduce yourself to the Raising Faithful Families audience and share a bit about your journey into ministry.

Andy: Thanks, Katy! Well, first and foremost—I’m a grandpa, and that’s probably the most important thing going on in my life right now! I have seven little wonders, and we have a lot of fun together.

But beyond that, my journey into ministry started during the Jesus Movement, where hundreds of kids in my hometown came to Christ. I was a brand-new Christian, only a couple of weeks in, and I suddenly found myself leading a group of kids who had been saved just one week after me!

Over the years, I’ve been involved in numerous Bible studies, served as an elder in multiple churches, and taught everything from engineering at Vanderbilt University to Bible studies at Lipscomb University. Along the way, I felt a strong calling to write—whether that was a 1,400-page engineering book or, more recently, books on spiritual gifts and freedom tools.

I realized that spiritual gifts were something that needed to be explained more clearly because there’s so much confusion around them. With over 37 different definitions out there and little agreement across the church, I felt compelled to bring clarity to this important topic.

Why Spiritual Gifts Matter for Parenting

Katy: I love that! So, how do you think understanding spiritual gifts can help parents as they raise their children and lead their families?

Andy: Scripture tells us in Ephesians 2:10 that we are “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

That one verse alone can guide a child’s entire life.

Here’s the truth: God created each child perfectly equipped for what He’s called them to do. There’s no need for them to wish they were someone else or had different strengths. They’re His craftsmanship—with unique personalities, talents, and spiritual gifts that align perfectly with His plans.

When kids grasp that they’re not missing anything and that God has already prepared opportunities for them, it changes how they view themselves and their purpose. As parents, we have the privilege of helping our children discover and develop those gifts so they can walk confidently in their God-given calling.

The Concept of the “Gift Circle”

Katy: In your book, you talk about the concept of the “gift circle.” Can you explain how that works?

Andy: Absolutely. I believe the confusion about spiritual gifts has come from trying to categorize everything into 27+ definitions with no real structure. But Peter simplifies it for us in 1 Peter 4:10-11, where he says:

  • “If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God.”

  • “If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides.”

Peter tells us there are two categories of gifts: speaking gifts and serving gifts.

Then Paul, in Romans 12, breaks those categories down further into three speaking gifts (prophecy, exhortation, teaching) and three serving gifts (serving, giving, showing mercy)—plus a leadership gift to help organize things when life gets messy.

The Gift Circle Explained

If you think of spiritual gifts as colors, there aren’t billions of colors—just seven primary colors. And every shade fits somewhere under those categories.

The same is true with spiritual gifts. Everyone has a unique “arc” on the gift circle, but all gifts fit into one of these primary categories. You’re not just one gift—you likely operate within an arc that spans a few related gifts.

For example, my arc is primarily in exhortation, but it spills over into teaching. So, when I’m teaching in a way that inspires and encourages, I’m in my “sweet spot.” But if I step too far outside my arc—like doing prolonged acts of service—I can do it, but it’s not where I thrive.

We can all “visit” other gifts, but we live where our arc is.

How Understanding Gifts Transforms Lives

Katy: How have you seen people’s lives change when they get a deeper understanding of their spiritual gifts?

Andy: It’s incredible. When someone understands their gifting, everything shifts.

Ephesians 2:10 says that God has already prepared opportunities for us. When you understand your gifts, you start seeing those opportunities everywhere.

I’ve had people say, “Why didn’t I know this before?” Suddenly, they can look back and realize that God had been inviting them into their gifts all along. They just didn’t recognize it.

When you’re faithful in those small things, God opens the door to more. You begin to experience a life filled with divine appointments and moments where you can’t help but look up and say, “God, You’re amazing.”

How Churches Can Better Teach Spiritual Gifts

Katy: You’ve worked with churches for many years. How do you think churches can do a better job of teaching spiritual gifts and supporting families in utilizing them?

Andy: I think we’ve missed something.

Many churches have grouped together Romans 12, Ephesians 4, and 1 Corinthians 12 into one big list and called them all “spiritual gifts.” But that’s not how scripture defines them.

1 Corinthians 12 doesn’t list spiritual gifts—it lists manifestations of the Spirit.

Those manifestations—like prophecy, tongues, and miracles—are power tools available to any believer when faith meets need.

When we teach people that these are only for certain people, we rob them of experiencing the fullness of what God wants to do through them. We’ve limited God’s power by mislabeling His gifts.

Should You Trust Spiritual Gift Quizzes?

Katy: What’s your take on the online spiritual gift quizzes that many churches recommend? Are they accurate?

Andy: Honestly, most quizzes miss the mark because they lump everything together.

But if you ask just two questions, you can identify your primary gifts pretty easily:

  1. Are you primarily drawn to speaking or serving?

  2. Which type of speaking or serving feels most natural to you?

Those two questions cut through the confusion and help you zero in on where God has placed you in the gift circle.

How to Identify and Nurture Your Child’s Spiritual Gifts

Katy: What advice would you give to parents who want to identify and nurture their child’s spiritual gifts?

Andy: First, understand the gifts yourself so you can recognize them in your child.

Then, give your child a variety of experiences and opportunities to serve in different areas.

As they grow, help them reflect on what comes naturally and where they feel most connected to God.

By the time they’re in their early teens, they’ll begin to see how God made them unique and where they fit into His greater plan.

Final Words of Wisdom: Become Childlike

Katy: I love to close out our interviews by asking—if you could give one piece of advice to the whole world at one time, what would it be?

Andy: Jesus said, “Unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven” (Matthew 18:3).

Childlike faith believes God without rationalizing or questioning.

If you hold the Father’s hand, you can walk through anything.

When we keep our hearts childlike—**trusting God fully and walking in obedience—**we experience a life of divine connection, opportunities, and blessings.

Where to Learn More from Andy Reese

If you want to go deeper into this topic and explore more of Andy’s insights, check out his book “The Spiritual Gifts Blueprint.” It’s designed for individuals and groups to walk through together, with powerful insights and practical tools to help you discover and walk in your gifts.

 

Thank you for joining us for this powerful conversation on discovering and using spiritual gifts!

✅ Next Steps:

What’s one thing you took away from this conversation?

DM me on Instagram—I’d love to hear!

Author

Katy Bordeaux is a Certified Parenting & Family Coach and the founder of both Covenant Collections and Kingdom Purpose Moms. Passionate about guiding families to thrive, Katy combines biblical wisdom with practical parenting strategies to help parents build strong, faith-filled homes. Connect with her for more resources and support on your parenting journey.

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For more resources, visit Covenant Collections.

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