How do I fit?
WEEK #6 ... The Gift of Administration
Icebreaker:
What is a regular task or chore you’d like to delegate to someone else and never have
to do again? Explain.
Romans 12:8c, 14
… if it is to lead, do it diligently; (14)Bless those who persecute you; bless and do
not curse.
Introduction:
The administrator is a born leader gifted to clearly understand immediate and long-range goals and devise and
execute effective plans for the accomplishment of those goals. The Greek word found in Romans 8 could
translate as administrator, leader, organizer, or ruler. But, no matter what word issued to describe them,
administrators love challenges and are visionary individuals who enjoy putting the pieces of a plan together and
hate doing routine tasks. People with the gift of administration are a blessing to the church and others and are
generally viewed as being thorough, efficient, and organized. However, they can be overbearing and try to force
their ideas and plans on others. Understanding this gift is useful to those who have the gift and to those who live
with or love someone who does.
Discussion:
1) Read Luke 14:28-30 – “Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and
estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it? (29)For if you lay the foundation and
are not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule you, (30)saying, ‘This person began to build
and wasn’t able to finish.’” In talking about counting the cost of being a disciple, Jesus highlights the
value of planning and organizing, values tied to the gift of administration. Are there areas of your life
that you plan carefully? If you do, explain. If not, why not? What areas within the church should be
carefully planned? What are the benefits of doing so? What are the dangers if planning is not done? How
would you describe the value of administration?
2) Look at Matthew 20:25-28 – Describe the type of leader Jesus describes in this passage. Why is this
kind of leader valuable in God’s kingdom? Do you think this type of leader would be valued in secular
leadership positions as well? Why or why not? Describe a leader from any segment of society in the past
or present that you have admired and describe why you admire him/her.
3) The characteristics of a leader include the following as seen in Nehemiah’s life:
 Able to visualize final results (Nehemiah 1:2-3)
 Needs loyalty in associates (Nehemiah 5:1-13)
 Ability to delegate (Nehemiah 4:13)
 Withstands opposition to his/her leadership (Nehemiah 4:8-18)
 Makes jobs look easy by breaking them down into achievable tasks (Nehemiah 3:1-32)
 Very alert to details (Nehemiah 5:1-13)
 Completes tasks quickly
 Able to quickly evaluate situations and make firm decisions
 Has great zeal and enthusiasm for whatever he/she is involved in
Choose a couple of the characteristics above that seem interesting, look at the related passage(s), if
applicable, and describe how you have witnessed these characteristics in action in your life or in others.
Describe the value the characteristic offers or reasons why the characteristic caused a struggle.
4) Read Exodus 18:19-26 – Look at the counsel that Moses received from his father-in-law. Which of the
above characteristics do you see described in the passage? What other characteristics not noted above do
you notice? Explain.
5) Romans 12:14 describes two guidelines that must be applied to the gift of administration. What are
those guidelines and why is each of them important for those with the gift of administration?
6) There are several ways that the gift of administration can be misused by an individual in ministry or in
his/her daily relationships. Some of these ways are illustrated in the life of Nehemiah and include:
 Viewing people only as resources
 Building loyalty with favoritism
 Using delegation to avoid work
 Being unresponsive to valid suggestions or direction from superiors
 Putting projects ahead of people
 Overlooking workers’ serious faults
 Failing to explain or praise
 Forcing decisions on others
 Neglecting to maintain the completed job and discontent with what one has
Have you struggled with any of the misuses above or been a “victim” of misuses? Explain to the extent
that you are comfortable.
Thinking relationally, how could the misuse of the gift of administration harm people and relationships?
Work through each of the misuses and describe ways that an individual with the gift of administration
can help to guard themselves and others from struggles associated with misuse.
IS ADMINISTRATION YOUR GIFT?
Rate your answer on a scale of 0 to 5, with 0=Never and 5=Always.
Add up your score and place the total on the last line.
__You can visualize the final result of a major undertaking.
__You enjoy coordinating the efforts of many to reach a common goal.
__You can break down large tasks into achievable goals.
__You are able to delegate assignments to others.
__You constantly write notes to yourself.
__You are willing to endure criticism in order to accomplish a task.
__You require loyalty in those who are under your supervision.
__You remove yourself from petty details to focus on the final goal.
__You can encourage your workers and inspire them to action.
__You eagerly desire to move on to a new challenge once a job is finished.
__TOTAL
Your spiritual gift may seem immediately apparent to you, especially when you look at the misuses of the gift. However,
you’ll want to reserve final judgment until you have had the opportunity to study all the gifts and can more clearly
determine which gift you do have.
PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE
If your motivational gift is administration:
1. How does a fresh look at your gift help release you to function in your gift?
2. What safeguards do you need to put in place to avoid misuses of your gift?
3. What are ways that you can use your gift inside and outside the church?
If your motivational gift is not administration:
1. How can your understanding help you better relate to individuals in your life who have the gift of
administration?
2. How can your understanding help you better appreciate the value of the gift of administration in the
church?