20 Ways to Serve

By: Jenifer Metzger

In the game of volleyball, a player is given a ball to serve. The game cannot start until the first serve is made. If the player decides not to serve the ball, there is no game. For the game to start, the player must serve. They must make a move. When we ask God into our hearts, when we ask Him to be our Lord and Savior, He hands us the ball and tells us to serve.

For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters;

only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for

the flesh, but serve one another through love.

Galatians 5:13

Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others,

as good stewards of the varied grace of God.

1 Peter 4:10

God has given each and every one of us gifts. Yes, He called some to be pastors and some to be teachers. But He called all to serve. Here are some ways you can take the ball and make your serve.

1. Send cards to people in your church who have missed a service. Pray over them before mailing the card.
2. Send a card to someone you haven't spoken to in awhile. Pray over them before mailing the card.
3. Send a card to someone you know who has been going through a hard time. Pray over them before mailing the card.
4. Send a card to the pastors at your church letting them know you appreciate them and are praying for them. Pray over them before mailing the cards.
5. Send cards to the nursery volunteers in your church telling them you appreciate their service. Pray over them before mailing the cards.
6. Bake cookies for a neighbor or for first responders in your community. Pray over them as you bake.
7. Babysit, for free, for a single parent.
8. Know a single working parent with a busy week? Make a dinner for her family and deliver it to her home. Pray over her as you cook.
9. Want to take a meal to someone but cooking isn't your thing? Order pizza and have it delivered to their home.
10. Have a elderly neighbor or fellow church goer? Ask them for a list of groceries and go shopping for them.
11. Surprise your church janitor by stopping in the church and help them with the cleaning.
12. Stay after church on Sunday and make sure the chairs are straightened up.
13. Visit someone in the hospital.
14. Volunteer as a family to take care of the church lawn one week.
15. Invite someone from church or a neighbor over for dinner.
16. Buy, or make, a coffee and drop it at the front door of a stay at home mom. You could even make it a surprise by setting it by the front door, ringing the door bell, and leaving quickly.
17. Pick up trash you see outside in your neighborhood, around your church, by your kid's school, or at the park.
18. Know someone struggling financially? Fill up their gas tank.
19. On trash day, take your neighbors garbage cans to the curb for them.
20. Volunteer at your church for nursery, coffee house, as a door greeter, or another ministry that needs help.

These are just a few of the endless ways you can serve. Whatever it is you do, just do it. It's time to take the ball, make the serve, and start the game.

Discussion questions. Chime in with your thoughts in the comments.

1. What are ways you currently serve?
2. What are other ideas, not listed, to serve?

3. Do you struggle to serve? If so, why do you think that is?