In Matthew 22:36-40, a Pharisee approached Jesus and asked Him, “Master, which is the great commandment in the law?”
Jesus answered him, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”
Jesus spoke often about loving and serving others, and doing so is a great way to show His love to them. The holiday season makes it especially easy as it is abundant with opportunities to give to others and to host events that include everybody. Here are five ideas that will get your church out in the community and loving others throughout the rest of the year:
Harvest Season: Purchase some index cards, fun-colored pens or markers, and candy. Write an encouraging Bible verse on each card, then tape candy to the backs of the cards. Find a populated area in your city and hand out a card to each person you pass.
Thanksgiving: Partner with a food bank in your local community by hosting a food drive at your church. Invite families to bring Thanksgiving-related food items they would like to donate. You can also get more people involved by creating flyers that people can share with their neighbors and coworkers, asking if they would like to donate items as well. Be sure to set a deadline early enough to give you time to take the donations to the food bank before Thanksgiving.
Note: This is also a great way to show the love of Jesus to the community during the Christmas season.
Christmas: For the children in your church and in your community, host a birthday party for Jesus. This can be held during your normal Kids Church hour or at a special time during the week. Go all out just like you would for your child’s birthday: pass out invitations in advance (if you would like to make this an outreach event, be sure to let those invited know they may also invite others); decorate with balloons, streamers, tablecloths, etc.; and serve cupcakes, snacks, and drinks. Don’t forget to sing the Birthday Song to Jesus!
Additional way to bless the community through this event: Let parents know their child may bring a gift to the party, which will be donated to a local children’s shelter or toy drive like Toys For Tots.
Winter Season: If your city hosts an event like tree lighting, Christmas light lane, parade, or something similar, arrange to have your church participate somehow. Pass out candy canes and water bottles or look into setting up a table to hand out coffee or cocoa. Local businesses may be happy to partner with your church if they receive advertising exposure in return. Be aware that you may need to obtain a permit from your city before handing out consumable items.
Winter Season: Host a clothing drive at your church. Invite church members and those in your local community to bring new or gently used coats, gloves, blankets, umbrellas, etc. Then, arrange a team to go out in your community and give these items to the homeless. If you live in a small town or an area where it is illegal to give goods to the homeless, donate items to a shelter.
“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” -John 13:34-35
*These ideas do not have to be carried out only by churches. They can be hosted by families, neighborhoods, schools, and other organizations as well.
Be the first to comment