Serve People


21 Ways to Serve

Jesus said we must become a servant to everyone if we want to do something great in the world. Paul said, "I've become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life" (1 Corinthians 9:22b, The Message).

Serving isn't glamorous. It might be hard at times, but it can become your habit. Over the next 21 days develop the habit of serving. Purposely focusing each day on serving others will help this discipline become a permanent part of your lifestyle.

Let's get started...

  1. Serve small. Jesus modeled serving by doing something pretty small and completely lacking in glamour–He washed his disciples' feet. In an area without paved roads, running water and the modern-day shower—the disciples' feet were pretty disgusting. Only the lowest servants or slaves did foot washing. Jesus showed that leaders are merely the greatest servants around. Choose something small like volunteering to collect lunch trays or wipe down tables in the lunchroom.
  2. Start a movement. People are inspired to serve by seeing people who serve. Find a need at your school like repairs to the teacher's lounge or Back to School clothes/ school supplies for students in need and spearhead the move toward a solution by getting others involved. Your peers don't even need to be Christians to join you in serving
  3. Pick up trash around school. It is so easy to extend a hand to your school custodian. Just keep your eyes open for trash, pick it up, put it in the can. It's that simple.
  4. Wash cars after school for free. There's a little setup involved and you'll need at least one person to help you, but hey, cars always need washing.
  5. Clean up after the football game. The remnants of 1000 half-eaten nachos await. Report to your school that you're ready to help and get some gloves. This is a disgusting job, and someone will definitely be glad you did it.
  6. Paint over graffiti around your school. Talk to the city about improving the area around your school by restoring areas that have been vandalized. As well improving the environment, you might be guarding someone from the mind pollution connected with reading language that should neither be said nor heard.
  7. Go shopping for the elderly relatives of fellow students. Pass out a flyer and create a Facebook page advertising your service. Who knows, you might inspire a whole community to join the effort.
  8. Plan, prepare and deliver meals for random families of students in your school. Make a special 3-course meal with beverage for a family in your school. Be sure to make contact with a family member ahead of time to discuss any dietary restrictions and preferences. You might want to pay special attention to opportunities to be a blessing to families dealing with a move, job loss, chronic illness, surgery, death, birth or who are just struggling financially.
  9. Babysit for single moms in your high school or at a continuation school. Single moms are the "widows" of our generation. Help be part of the solution. Pick a weeknight so they have time to tackle homework, go to evening classes or just get out to do grocery shopping.
  10. Mow lawns or do odd jobs for single moms or grandparent guardians of fellow students. Here I go again talking about supporting the single moms again as well as the elderly, but you know what Jesus said about serving the widows and orphans (See James 1:27). Do your part to make their lives easier by helping with lawn care or small jobs like painting a room, weeding a flowerbed or Spring-cleaning. This is an incredible service to those who are often working 40 plus hours a week just to support their family.
  11. Get with some friends and watch the video at www.everyschool.com/serve-your-school. Get some ideas together for your own video.
  12. Help teach a younger child to read. Believe it or not, this will help keep your reading skills sharp, even during summer vacation.
  13. Tutor a student that needs help learning English or some other subject. Most communities have immigrants who could use a little help with the English language. English is famously difficult to learn. Guess what? You already know how to speak it! Imagine that.
  14. Organize a canned food drive. You might want to use this opportunity to network with the clubs at your school to promote it as a joint effort and center the distribution before school holidays or teacher workdays when students will be at home and not getting regularly scheduled daily meals at school.
  15. Plant flowers in public areas that could use some color. You'll need to ask permission first and probably seek out some expert advice on what types of flowers grow best in what conditions. After you plant, make sure you commit to keeping that area maintained by weeding, watering and perhaps changing out plants as seasons change.
  16. Set up a buddy system for kids with special needs in your school. Many students with special needs like autism or Down syndrome are in mainstream classes, but they need a little extra help. Sometimes a teacher's aid is available for these students, however opportunities for peer mentoring and guidance so much more beneficial. You can be that peer. Being a buddy, says to the student with learning difficulties that you consider them as a valuable member of your school. You might just learn something important along the way.
  17. Learn to be a peer counselor. Inquire about opportunities through the guidance counselor or main office at your school.
  18. Hold a door open for someone. And be courtesy-focused—saying simple things "please," "thank you" and "your welcome." Simple? Yes. But it's a habit you can start today.
  19. Listen to others. A lot of people just need someone to listen to them. Don't think about formulating solutions or a response to their problems. Simply focus on being a listener today.
  20. Write a note to a teacher that had a positive effect on you. Serving your school isn't just about other students or buildings. Think about the people who are at school to serve you – the teachers, custodians, cafeteria personnel and secretaries—be an encouragement.
  21. Get the right attitude. Serving isn't always fun and it is almost never glamorous, but it can be very fulfilling – if you're not focused on yourself. Make a decision to display joyful and grateful attitude even when you are serving in less than ideal circumstances. As the old saying goes, "Fake it 'til you make it."

Today's FIREStarter