Family Volunteering: 7 Ways to Serve Others This Holiday Season
Volunteering together as a family during the holiday season is a wonderful way to spread love through acts of kindness. Serving others plays an important role in helping cultivate the fruit of the Spirit and strengthening a family’s ability to build relationships with each other and those around you. Keep reading to learn how your family can serve together this holiday season.
Family Volunteering: 7 Ways to Serve Others This Holiday Season
As you read the following ideas for ways you and your family can serve others, keep in mind the heart of the matter. Serving others should never be about personal gain or being seen. Instead, it should be rooted in being the hands and feet of Jesus and being a blessing to others.
Use the time you serve as a learning opportunity for your children to get hands-on experiences for living out the fruit of the Spirit. Have ongoing talks and use cultivate the fruit of the Spirit to reiterate what you choose to do and tie them together with the Word of God.
Offer Baked Goods to Community Helpers
It’s no doubt that community helpers go above and beyond to keep cities safe and beautiful. Whether you want to bless the trash workers, law enforcement, or even the mailman/mailwoman – Scripture tells us that because we have freely received, we should freely give (Matthew 10:8). The context of this Word sheds light on healing, casting out demons, and cleansing, so it can certainly apply to giving to those have given so much to us!
Choose a Name from the Giving Tree
Hebrews 13:16 reminds us to not forget to do good and share with others because those types of offerings are pleasing to God. Each year the Salvation Army, Red Cross, or other local organizations provide an opportunity for others to help those who are less fortunate. This holiday season, consider grabbing a name or two from the giving tree and shop for the recipient as a family.
Adopt a Nursing Home (or Individual Patients)
Even in old age, God continues to take care of the elderly. One way he does that is through provisions through volunteers and adoptions. You don’t even need an organization to serve in this capacity. Contact a local nursing home and let them know your intentions. They will provide you with the information you need so you can adopt patients for the holiday season and provide them with gifts.
Send a Care Package to a Soldier Overseas
We could always be praying for our military, especially that they be delivered from the hands of the enemy (Psalm 31:15). In addition to keeping the armed forces covered in prayer, we can also send them care packages during the holiday season. Some soldiers may have family but there are a lot of single men and women who do not have much support from others. Even the smallest box of snacks and things they can use would go a long way.
Volunteer at a Soup Kitchen
Proverbs 19:17 says that anyone kind to the poor lends to God and He will reward them for what they have done. Anytime you exhibit the fruit of the Spirit to selflessly be a blessing to someone else, God sees it and rewards the cheerful giver. There are always lots of opportunities for families to donate their time together at soup kitchens.
Start a Fundraiser to Buy Gifts for the Homeless
Although there are lots of opportunities to buy gifts for the homeless, something that you can do in addition is to start a fundraiser. This can be done with family, friends, co-workers, or church members. Consider starting a fundraiser and donating the money to a local charity or organization that can use the funds to provide meals and clothing to those in need.
Cook a Holiday Meal for a Widow
One of the easiest ways to cultivate the fruit of the Spirit is by caring for the widow (and orphan). Scripture says in Psalm 68:5 that He takes care of those whose husbands have died. While He is caring for them in the supernatural, we can help take care of them in the natural. If you know of a widow, consider cooking a holiday meal for her.
Final Thoughts About Ways to Serve Others This Holiday Season
We love how the holiday season cultivates love for others; however, we shouldn’t wait until the holidays to exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. Look for ways to be a blessing throughout the year, but especially during a time when it can be most difficult for others. What are some ways you serve others during the holiday season? Let us know in the comments below!
