Have you ever been asked to volunteer for something in your local church community?
How did you respond?
Whether it’s helping in sunday school, baking cookies, preparing food for a potluck, or sitting on a committee, there are numerous ways our communities need support.
When we consider that a metaphor used to describe the church is a body, with eyes, ears, legs and arms, we pay attention to the fact that we need each other, the diversity of our strengths and gifts in order to bring God glory. We are God’s workmanship, “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Gal 2:10).
So, if we’re created for good works, and the Lord Jesus tells us to, “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16), how are we to serve?
That’s one of the questions answered in Serve: Loving Your Church With Your Heart, Time and Gifts by Steve Robinson.
Serve: Loving Your Church With Your Heart, Time and Gifts | Book Review
Content
Content
Purpose of the Book
In these pages, you’re going to be motivated to serve sacrificially in your church as the Lord has saved and equipped you to do.
Table of Contents
SECTION 1 Why Would I Serve? CHAPTER 1 You Were Saved for This CHAPTER 2 We Serve Because He First Served Us CHAPTER 3 Good and Faithful Servant
SECTION 2 How Can I Serve? CHAPTER 4 Serve As the Person God Has Made You to Be CHAPTER 5 Serve with What God Has Given You CHAPTER 6 Serve Where God Has Put You
Summary
This book begins with the why and ends with the how. It’s so important to understand the reason for what we do in order to live it out with a heart aligned with the Lord’s. The gospel is expounded and explained as the central reason for our serving others. Written for the regular church member, sitting in the pew, you’ll find this a very accessible encouragement.
This series has featured action steps at the end of each chapter which I always appreciate for reflection and consideration.
My Take
Serving In Weakness
When we consider our Christian life and how to use our gifts to serve others, we typically think of the things we’re good at. We’re gifted individuals after all. But does God ask us to bless the church and others only in the ways we find ourselves strong?
If you’ve ever done a checklist on your spiritual gifts test, or even a personality test, the results look for areas where we’ve been affirmed, witnessed positive effects in the lives of others, or where we feel the most satisfaction. The results usually give us a greater self-awareness as we learn things about ourselves.
This isn’t a negative thing. Personally, I’ve really benefited from these types of personal development tools. They help equip us to steward our time and our gifts well. However, along our path to self-awareness we want to frame the good works God calls us to do, not strictly in terms of our strengths, but also in our weaknesses.
Although participating in this way usually doesn’t feel as good.
So, even though I’m introverted, I can still greet new people at church, or host others for a meal. Though my cooking isn’t always the greatest, a meal is still a blessing for someone in need. It may be tempting to excuse away opportunities to bless others because I’m not the greatest at everything.
A lot of times, for me, this boils down to humility.
Humility considers others better than myself.
Equipped with a dish towel, Jesus stopped to pick up the dirty feet of his friends.
Humility responds with obedient pursuit of God’s kingdom.
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).
Humility requires dependance on God.
Any offering of my hands to bless others needs to be laced with love. We can’t accomplish anything or bear any fruit without the nourishment of the Vine.
So, as you consider the opportunities in your local communities, notice where you feel like you’re best, and pray about the areas where you might not and whether the Lord would stretch your faith in another area.
My Recommendation
We all need to remember the gospel as the foundation of our Christian lives. Who we serve is central to why and the church needs this encouragement in an age where we’re fairly focused on serving ourselves.
You can enjoy this resource with your small group or a gathering of friends. There’s a free small group kit to help you organize your meetings and dive in deep.
I’d recommend this for all of us who are members of a church!
Quick Stats
# of Pages: 128 pages
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 5 stars
From the Author
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Scriptures About Serving
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: (1 Pet. 4:10)
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35)
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Gal. 5:13–14)
Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (Matt.20:28)
When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. (Jn. 13:12–14)
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. (1 Jn. 3:18)
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*A big thanks to The Good Book Company for the complimentary copy of this book and for the opportunity to post an honest review!