Have you ever wondered whether a small act of kindness really makes a difference?
Maybe you have considered helping someone carry groceries, offering a ride to a neighbor, or checking on a friend who is struggling. But then you hesitate. You wonder whether your effort will matter or whether offering help might feel awkward.
Sometimes the smallest opportunities to serve are the easiest to overlook.
Yet Jesus teaches us that serving others is central to following Him.
At Bethany Church, a church in Red Lion, PA, we believe growing closer to God involves more than attending worship or reading Scripture. It also means putting our faith into action through simple, intentional acts of love.
What Does Jesus Teach About Serving Others?
In John 13:14–17, Jesus gives His disciples an unforgettable example of what it means to serve.
During His final days before the crucifixion, Jesus gathers with His disciples for a meal. In that culture, washing someone’s feet was considered a lowly task, typically performed by a servant.
The disciples had been learning from Jesus, witnessing His miracles, and hearing His teachings about God’s kingdom.
Yet when the opportunity to perform this humble act arrived, Jesus was the one who stepped forward.
He removed His outer garment, took a towel and basin, and washed His disciples’ feet.
Imagine the surprise.
Their teacher, their Lord, was performing a task associated with the lowest position in the household.
Afterward, Jesus explained that He had given them an example to follow.
His message was clear: If we want to follow Jesus, we must learn to serve others.
In Matthew 20:26–28, Jesus also teaches that greatness in God’s kingdom looks different from greatness in the world.
Rather than pursuing recognition or authority over others, His followers are called to demonstrate humility and love.
Christian service is not about being noticed.
It is about becoming more like Christ.
Why Small Acts of Kindness Make a Big Difference
One reason people hesitate to serve is that they underestimate the impact of their actions.
We often imagine that making a meaningful difference requires a major financial contribution, extraordinary talent, or an enormous amount of time.
But kindness does not have to be complicated.
Consider how much a simple gesture can mean to someone having a difficult day.
A thoughtful conversation might encourage someone who feels forgotten. Helping an older neighbor with yardwork might relieve a burden they cannot manage alone. Offering a ride might make it possible for someone to attend worship.
The person offering help may consider the action insignificant.
The person receiving it may remember it for years.
Research published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology in 2022 explored how people perceive acts of kindness. Researchers Amit Kumar and Nicholas Epley found that people performing kind acts often underestimated how positively recipients would respond.
That finding reflects something Christians are encouraged to remember.
We may never fully understand the difference our kindness makes.
Sometimes serving someone is like planting a seed.
We may not see the results immediately. We may never know how a particular conversation, encouraging word, or thoughtful action affected another person’s life.
But that does not make the act meaningless.
God can work through ordinary moments of compassion.
How Serving Others Helps Us Grow Closer to God
Serving others benefits the people receiving help, but it also shapes the hearts of those who serve.
In Galatians 5:13–14, the apostle Paul encourages Christians to use their freedom to serve one another humbly in love.
Similarly, 1 Peter 4:10 teaches believers to use the gifts they have received to serve others.
These passages remind us that Christian service is not reserved for pastors, missionaries, or people with special abilities.
Every believer has opportunities to demonstrate God’s love.
When we serve, we begin paying closer attention to the needs of people around us.
We become more compassionate.
We learn humility.
We begin recognizing that our time, abilities, and resources can be used for something greater than ourselves.
And sometimes serving requires another important spiritual practice: allowing others to help us.
Receiving help can be uncomfortable, especially when we are accustomed to being independent. Yet accepting someone’s generosity gives that person an opportunity to express love.
Christian community involves both giving and receiving.
As we practice these habits, our lives increasingly reflect the example Jesus gave us.
Practical Ways to Serve Others Every Day
You do not need to organize a major outreach project to begin serving others.
Start by paying attention to the people God has already placed in your life.
Here are several practical ways to develop a habit of Christian service:
- Look for everyday needs. Hold a door, help someone carry something heavy, or offer assistance when someone appears overwhelmed.
- Encourage someone. Send a thoughtful message, make a phone call, or spend time listening to someone who needs support.
- Serve your neighbors. Help with yardwork, bring someone a meal, or check on an older adult living nearby.
- Use your gifts at church. Consider helping with hospitality, music, technology, children’s ministry, or community outreach.
- Practice generosity. Share your time, resources, or abilities with someone who could benefit from them.
- Be willing to receive help. Allow others to demonstrate kindness toward you when you need support.
One helpful question to ask each morning is:
Who might God place in my path today that I could encourage or help?
You may be surprised by how many opportunities become visible when you begin looking.
Serving Others Is About Love, Not Recognition
There is an important distinction between serving others and trying to earn God’s approval.
Christianity does not teach that enough good deeds can earn salvation.
We are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by accumulating acts of kindness.
Serving is our response to that grace.
Philippians 2:3–4 encourages believers to practice humility and consider the interests of others rather than focusing exclusively on themselves.
That means our motivation matters.
We do not serve simply to receive praise, attract attention, or convince someone to attend church.
We serve because Jesus first loved us and demonstrated what genuine love looks like.
When kindness becomes a consistent part of our lives, people can experience something of God’s compassion through our actions.
Take One Small Step Toward Serving Others
If you want to grow closer to God, consider making service part of your daily spiritual routine.
You do not have to change everything overnight.
Begin with one small act of kindness.
Help someone without expecting anything in return. Offer encouragement when it would be easier to remain silent. Pay attention to someone whose needs might otherwise go unnoticed.
Then look for another opportunity tomorrow.
At Bethany Church, we believe following Jesus means growing together in worship, Scripture, community, and service.
If you are looking for a church in Red Lion, PA, we invite you to explore opportunities to connect, grow, and serve alongside others at Bethany Red Lion PA.
Our desire is to be a community where people experience God’s love and discover meaningful ways to share that love throughout Red Lion and the surrounding York County area.
Remember, making a difference does not always require doing something extraordinary.
Sometimes a little good goes an unexpectedly long way.