Can Christian service be done outside of the church? What opportunities are there for Christian service?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

There are many different ways we can deliver Christian service both inside and outside of the church. One of the most important ministries we participate in is spreading the gospel to those who have not yet heard it (Acts 13:1-5; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). Other ways to serve include providing for the “least of these” (Matthew 25:35-36), doing kind things for others—no matter how small or seemingly insignificant (Mark 9:41; Mark 14:8), and supporting orphans and widows (James 1:27). An excellent example we have to follow in our pursuit of Christian service is the Good Samaritan, mentioned in Luke 10:30-37. We should follow the Good Samaritan’s example by loving others in tangible ways, even if we consider them our enemies. In whatever service or daily action we choose, we have the opportunity to “do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him" (Colossians 3:17).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Service inside and outside of the church is specifically addressed in the New Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Many forms of service can offer tremendous help to others. These include the areas mentioned in Matthew 25 in which Jesus calls people to serve fellow believers who are the "least of these": "For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me" (vv. 35-36).
• We can model our lives after the disciples and strive to fulfill the Great Commission that Jesus talks about in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
• In Mark 9:41 Jesus says, "For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward."
• No act of service is too small. The woman who anointed Jesus with oil was ridiculed by others. Jesus commended her, saying, "she has done what she could" (Mark 14:8).
• The account of the Good Samaritan is an example of service. Jesus made it clear that the man who stopped to help was a true “neighbor” to the man in need. Jesus said, "You go, and do likewise" (Luke 10:37). Believers are to find and serve those in need.
• As believers, we are empowered with the Holy Spirit to effectively share the gospel (Acts 1:8).
• Great Christian service outside of the church is sharing the gospel with those who have yet to hear it (Acts 13:1-5).
• Colossians 3:17 teaches, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." Opportunities to serve Christ are not limited to what takes place among gatherings of Christians. God calls us to serve Him in many ways.
• The Bible often emphasizes the importance of education, caring for children, and service to widows. James 1:27 teaches, "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Many roles exist for Christians to serve beyond the church's internal ministries. Related ministries today could include service to the hungry, providing clean water for those without it, homeless outreach, urban ministry, services to immigrants or refugees, anti-trafficking work, providing clothing for people, engaging in fair trade, employment assistance/micro-enterprise, medical ministry, hospice care, prison ministry, or service to law enforcement as a minister or chaplain. In addition to a wide variety of ministry opportunities within the local church, God offers many examples of service beyond the local congregation. Spreading the gospel to those who have not yet heard it is one of the most important ministries we participate in (Acts 13:1-5; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8). Overall, we are to glorify and reflect God in all we do, both inside and outside of the church.

UNDERSTAND

• Christian service can be done both inside and outside of the church.
• The Bible highlights many forms of service, such as sharing the gospel, helping those in need, and caring for orphans and widows.
• Believers are called to glorify and reflect God in all they do, both inside and outside of the church.

REFLECT

• How can you use your unique gifts to serve others, both within and outside of the church?
• When has God placed a need in front of you that you were able to meet, and how did that experience shape your faith?
• What small acts of kindness can you do this week to reflect Christ's love to those around you?

ENGAGE

• How can we identify and address the needs of "the least of these" in our community?
• How can we encourage each other to participate in both local and global opportunities for sharing the gospel?
• What lessons can we learn from the Good Samaritan's example about loving and serving others, even those we might consider enemies?