#  505   06/29/09  Do you have a gifted child?

Paul was having trouble with the church at Corinth.  Some were causing dissension by claiming to have special gifts that made them superior to others.  In the twelfth chapter of I Corinthians, Paul set them straight.  He began by explaining the variety and universality of giftedness:  “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit.  There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.”  (vv.4-6).

Next, he explains that these spiritual gifts are displayed in persons for the good of all:  “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.”  (v. 7)  Finally, in verses 12-31, he makes the point that all the different gifts work together, and one cannot be considered superior to the other.  Each has its place, and each is needed.

In addition to spiritual gifts, our children receive natural gifts.  Those gifts also must be treated with care.  Some are gifted physically and become outstanding athletes.  There are those who are given the ability to recognize and be sensitive to the emotions of others.  Some are socially gifted, instinctively knowing the right things to say and do to get along with others.  Music, visual arts and oration are but a few of the many others gifts, but the one that seems to be coveted by all parents is the gift of high intelligence. 

It is imperative that parents recognize and encourage each of the gifts that God has given their children.  Sometimes, if a parent has a child who has been gifted with high intelligence, it is easy to deem intellectual giftedness as the only or most important gift to the neglect of his other gifts.  It is also difficult to teach an intellectually gifted child to recognize and appreciate the different gifts of others.

Because intellect is so highly esteemed in our culture, being the parent of a child in possession of that gift requires special skills and knowledge.  As parents, we must encourage and guide them, teach them humility and instill in them the sense of responsibility that comes with the gift.  Additionally, there are unique challenges that accompany intellectual giftedness.
In the coming weeks, I will explore some of the issues involved in parenting an intellectually gifted child.