This is such a great set of questions and I'm not sure I'm the most qualified to answer, but I'll give it a shot. It is gifted to anyone who desires it. God doesn't pick and choose, but he allows you to choose - do you want the gift of faith or not? It's a personal choice and you have to make that decision.

The only way I really know how to answer your question is by my own story. As I said, I grew up in the church and followed it quite faithfully when I was young, just like Don B said. But here's where his premise goes wrong, because I apparently wasn't brainwashed. There came a point in my life - in my 20's and 30's - where I felt I didn't need God, and by anyone looking in from the outside, it didn't seem that I did. I was successful in my chosen career, had a husband and family that was healthy and doing well on all accounts, etc. The problem was when I got older, in my 40's, I realized something was missing, like a hole in my heart or a broken chain that was missing a link. Everything else seemed so good but that feeling drove me to begin to seek. I started going to a bible study which at that time was way over my head, so when I sat down to do my lesson I prayed "God, if you're there and you want me to understand this, then you're going to have to help me". Apparently that was the knock on the door that he was waiting for, because from that point on, as they say, my eyes and ears were open to understand. It really transcends our human ability......it is deeply spiritual at that point.

You ask, how would I know whether I have the gift? Because first, what I said above - I began to understand things that before were totally beyond my comprehension. My life changed drastically - how I felt, how I thought, and how I acted. Others noticed too - a sort of calmness, deeper in my thinking, and greater compassion for others. And of course I no longer felt that hole or missing link anymore. I felt like my life was more complete, fuller and richer in every way. Most likely it is not the same for everyone, because as I said it is very personal, but you know when you got it.

Matthew 7:7-8King James Version (KJV)

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you:

8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

It's all in that book, but you have to want it for yourself. Hope this helps to answer some of your questions. By the way, there is a really good nondenominational bible study group called Community Bible Study. There is a women's group in The Villages, but I think there is a men's group also, either in The Villages or Ocala, not sure which. You can look it up online at their website if interested. No previous experience needed to join and usually starts up each year right about now.