Be the Hands and Feet

What does it mean to be the hands and feet of Jesus?

When we think about ways to become involved with our church our first thought is often teaching or preaching. Aside from those two options how else can we grow the church? How else can we serve our community and spread the love of Christ? We’ve compiled a list of a few more ways for all of us to get involved and become the hands and feet of Jesus- stage fright optional.

Kids’ Hands and Feet

Be a Giver

Some kids may not have a pencil or paper. Share yours and expect nothing in return. Build good relationships and share Jesus.
Team Up with Them

You’ll be asked to work with others. Look for the kid who doesn’t have a group and ask them to join you. Build good relationships and share Jesus.
Stand Up for Them

Did someone say something to embarrass someone? Don’t laugh. Change the subject or ask them to stop. Do the hard thing like Jesus.
Follow the Rules

Show kindness to your teachers. Be the kid who makes their day. Do your best to follow the rules and encourage others to do so.
Compliment Others

A classmate does something impressive! Tell them how impressed you are. “Good job!” “That was some good work” “well done!”
Share Jesus

You CAN talk about Jesus at school. Tell your teacher’s that you appreciate their kindness. Tell your teachers and classmates that you pray for them. Offer to pray with them. You can pray in school.
Listen

When someone is having a bad day listen to them. You don’t have to know what to say, just listen. Let them be heard and then offer to pray with them.
Pray

Pray for your classmates. Pray for their families. Pray for your teachers. Pray for yourself and your family. Pray for your struggles. Pray with your friends. Pray during a moment of silence. You CAN pray in school.
Go Last

When everyone is scrambling to be first, wait. There are more important things than being first. Choose to be compassionate, kind, caring, humble, patient, and loving instead of fighting to be first.
Sit with Them

If you ever see a kid alone at school go sit with them. The lunch room or library can be a lonely or scary place. Talk to them. Hear what they have to say. Show them the love of Christ.
Speak Truth

Rumors can fly around a school. Don’t help rumors spread. If you don’t know that it’s true, don’t say it. If it hurts someone or would hurt you, don’t say it. Speak only truth.

Adult Hands and Feet

Listen

Co-workers, family, church family, friends, and strangers all have struggles. Listen to what they have to say. Encourage, support them verbally, and pray for and with them. If you don’t know what to do, remember, look to Jesus. He’s our example.
Pray

Everyone needs prayers. Pray for and with everyone around you including the stranger who’s in pain. Pray for yourself. Pray often. Be a prayer warrior.
Cook and Care

You don’t have to be on the food calling team to cook. You don’t have to wait for a tragedy and it doesn’t have to be a 3 course meal. Just cook and give. It shows that you were thinking about them and will be a source of encouragement.
Host

Host a friend, a stranger, a family, or the whole church. Invite people to spend time with you at your home. Show them you have an open door. Sharing your home is a way to have a servant’s heart. Eat together, play together, or study together.
Mow

Mowing? Offer to mow someone’s yard if they’ve been sick or they’ve lost a loved one, or they are having a really hard time. Just once can make a huge impact and open a door so you can show them Jesus.
Clean

Going through a stressful time such as loss, new diagnosis, new baby, or any other life altering events provide many opportunities for us to support those around us. Simply offering to clean someone’s kitchen or house may help them feel like they aren’t drowning and that they aren’t alone.
Babysit

Biological, foster, and adoptive parents need time away from their kids. They need time together and they need time to do chores. Offer to babysit for an hour, an afternoon, or a whole night.
Drive

Kids and elderly alike need rides. Children need rides to school, worship, and events while elderly individuals may need rides to doctors appointments, worship, or events. What a great way to spend time with someone and talk about struggles, successes, and Jesus.
Send a Text

Check in with a friend. A simple “This made me think of you” or “I hope you are having a good week” can go a long way. It’s a simple gesture. You can even start a daily scripture group and send friends a short scripture or message of encouragement each day.
Write Letters

A card can mean so much. It’s so easy to send a quick text message but it takes time and effort to send a card. A good old fashioned letter can make a world of difference to someone and have a lasting impact. It may even make it onto the fridge.
Work Devos

Lead a devotional at your work. Open to anyone and have good conversations about the things we agree on and have open minded conversations about the things we don’t. What a great way to encourage each other to be stronger in our faith and open up more avenues of conversation and collaboration.
Mentor

Teenagers, young and old adults can all use a mentor. Invest time in someone and mentor them in anything that you are good at. It could be your career field, a hobby, or a biblical concept. Whatever you do, you’ll have plenty of time to show them Christ while you mentor them.
Find and Fill

Find a need and fill it. Show others how to be Christ like by doing the hard things and filling in. Be the first to volunteer for the challenging or unpleasant task. Someone needs to take out the trash, take it out. Someone needs to be shown around, guide them. A teacher is out, teach.
Foster

There are so many children that need a home. Maybe that could be you. Provide a safe place and a Godly example to children who are in great need of love, kindness, and understanding.
Go First

When you are facing a difficult moment with someone, go first. Be the first to apologize, be the first to introduce yourself, be the first to make a mistake, be the first to admit you are wrong. Humble yourself and find courage in Christ to be the example and help lead others through difficult moments.
Teach

Teach the word of God. Teach your peers or teach the children. Create lessons, teach concepts, and cultivate points of encouragement to teach the word of God.
Create Involvement

Help others find ways to use their skills to further God’s word and show Jesus’ love in the world. You might rob someone of the opportunity by doing everything for them.
Read the Word

God’s word has the power to impart wisdom and transform us into people who love like Jesus. As a local community of His people that should be our aim.