Serving Others Like Jesus: Practical Ways to Love Your Neighbor

Olivia Rebboah   -   August 27, 2025

Jesus didn’t just talk about love—He showed it.

He healed the sick, fed the hungry, washed feet, touched the outcast, and forgave freely. His entire ministry was marked by service, compassion, and sacrifice. And He calls us to do the same:

As it says in John 13:34 (ESV)  “Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”

But what does it really look like to serve like Jesus in the chaos of our everyday lives?

Here are a few practical ways you can serve and love like Jesus in your community

  1. Start with Compassion

Jesus never overlooked the hurting. He saw people really saw them and moved toward them with compassion.

 “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them…”  Matthew 9:36 (NIV)

 Practical Ways to Serve with Compassion:

  • Listen deeply when someone shares about what is going on in their life no matter if it is a job promotion or a list of their burdens
  • Check in on a friend going through a hard season
  • Offer encouragement with a handwritten note or text
  • Pray with someone on the spot, even if it feels awkward

 Tool: Keep a “Who Needs Encouragement?” list in your journal or phone. Ask God weekly who He wants you to serve with compassion.

  1. Serve Through Small Acts of Kindness

Jesus didn’t wait for big stages to serve—He embraced small, quiet moments. Washing feet. Sharing meals. Welcoming children.

 “Whoever wants to be first must be your servant.” — Mark 9:35 (NLT)

 Practical Ways to Serve Through Kindness:

  • Bring coffee or a meal to a tired parent, coworker, or friend.
  • Offer to babysit for a single mom, ministry leader, or parents that are just in the thick of it
  • Leave a gift card anonymously for a neighbor in need.
  • Help someone carry groceries, mow a lawn, or do yardwork.

 Tool: Create a “Blessing Bag” with snacks, water, and hygiene items to keep in your car for someone in need.

  1. Love the People Right in Front of You

Loving your neighbor starts with… well, your actual neighbors. Jesus didn’t overlook the people nearby.

 “Love your neighbor as yourself.” — Mark 12:31 (NIV)

 Practical Ways to Serve Your Real-Life Neighbors:

  • Invite a neighbor over for dinner or a backyard BBQ.
  • Offer to walk their dog, pick up groceries, or mow their yard.
  • Write a thank-you note to your mail carrier or garbage collector.
  • Show up consistently/remember details about peoples lives that they share with you. Presence is ministry.

Tool: Use the Bless Every Home app to pray for and serve your neighborhood by name.

  1. Give Generously (Time, Resources, Attention)

Jesus gave extravagantly—not just financially, but with His time, energy, and attention.

 “Freely you have received; freely give.” — Matthew 10:8 (NIV)

 Practical Ways to Be Generous:

  • Sponsor a child or support a mission project.
  • Give toward a benevolence fund at church.
  • Serve on a Sunday team here at Landing Place Church
  • Offer your skills to a neighbor or friend—fixing things, cooking, teaching, tutoring.

Tool: Set a reminder once a month to ask: “What can I give this month: my time, my talent, or my treasure?”

  1. Serve Without Expecting Anything in Return

Jesus served those who couldn’t repay Him. He washed the feet of His betrayer. He fed the ones who would walk away. That’s the kind of love we’re called to.

 “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” — Philippians 2:3 (NIV)

 Practical Ways to Serve Selflessly:

  • Offer forgiveness to someone who wronged you.
  • Serve behind the scenes clean, stack chairs, set up early.
  • Help someone who can never repay you… and don’t tell a soul.

 Tool: Start each week by praying: “Jesus, who do You want me to serve today without being seen, thanked, or praised?”

Worship Fuel for a Servant’s Heart

When our energy runs low and our flesh resists serving, worship helps us realign our hearts with Jesus. Let these songs encourage a lifestyle of love and humility:

 Worship Song Suggestions:

 

Final Encouragement

Serving others like Jesus isn’t about adding more to your to-do list. It’s about shifting your heart posture living with open hands and open eyes.

You don’t need a platform. Just a willing heart.

Whether it’s making a meal, writing a note, or simply listening well every act of service becomes holy when it’s done in love.

“Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”    Matthew 25:40 (NIV)

7-day Devotional to get your heart in the right posture to serve like Jesus

This week, slow down and walk in the footsteps of Jesus serving, loving, and living with a heart turned outward. These short daily reflections are designed to help you serve like Him, one intentional act at a time.

Day 1: See with Compassion

Scripture: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them…”  Matthew 9:36
Reflection: Jesus noticed the hurting. He looked beyond the surface and moved toward people in love. Who do you need to see today—beyond the chaos and into their heart?
Practical Step: Reach out to someone going through a hard time with a text, call, or handwritten note.

Day 2: Serve in Small Things

Scripture: “Whoever wants to be first must be your servant.”  Mark 9:35
Reflection: Jesus washed feet. He showed us that real greatness is found in humble service. Don’t underestimate the power of simple kindness.
Practical Step: Do one small act of service today—make someone’s coffee, tidy up a shared space, or take on a task no one wants to do.

 

 

Day 3: Love Your Literal Neighbor

Scripture: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Mark 12:31
Reflection: You don’t need to go far to serve. Look across the street or hallway. Start there.
Practical Step: Introduce yourself to a neighbor or write them a note of appreciation. Offer to help with something practical.

Day 4: Give Freely

Scripture: “Freely you have received; freely give.”  Matthew 10:8
Reflection: Everything we have our time, energy, resources is a gift. Giving reflects God’s generous heart.
Practical Step: Find one way to give today—time, attention, a donation, or helping someone without being asked.

Day 5: Serve with No Strings Attached

Scripture: “Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.”  Philippians 2:3
Reflection: Jesus didn’t serve to get something in return. He gave everything in love. Serving without seeking praise reflects His humility.
Practical Step: Do something behind-the-scenes today anonymously or quietly that blesses someone.

Day 6: Worship Through Service

Scripture: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” Colossians 3:23
Reflection: Every act of service is worship when done with the right heart. Even laundry, dishes, or emails can become an offering.
Practical Step: Put on a worship song (like “Make Room” or “Build My Life”) and do your next task intentionally as worship to God.

Day 7: Follow Jesus’ Example

Scripture: “Just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”  John 13:34
Reflection: You’re called to love like Jesus. That’s not always easy but it’s always worth it. And He gives you the strength to do it.
Practical Step: Reflect: How has Jesus served you this week? Ask Him to show you one person you can love boldly today.