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| Christians: Advice for ministry opportunity? | | Published by: jack 2010-03-19 |
| | Later today I'm going with a group of people to deliver Thanksgiving groceries to 3 needy families
I'm pretty sure my group just wants to make it quick and just give them stuff and then leave, but I really feel God calling me to step out and minister to these familes
My group is meeting somewhere before we go deliver them so I'm going to lead in prayer
I know I'm going to tell them not to see it as us giving them food because we're "nice people that want to share" but rather God wants to show them His love and how He provides for them
does anyone have any other advice for how to minister to these families?
and please no rude comments or stupid answers like "throw mashed potatoes at them" etc
I think it awsome that you want to minister to them. As far as suggestion, you can just tell them before you pray, you would like to say a few words.
God bless
Ask your group to pray over the food & bless it, even before it is distributed. This is common when making a Jewish bread called "Challah", where you pray for those who will be eating it while you are actually rolling the dough out & forming it into braids.
Another thing to consider is...ask your group to practice visualizing the food recipients as though it were Jesus Himself being given that food.
Have fun!!
Gift cards are great, even if they are in tiny 5$ amounts. And it is a good idea to leave the groceries on their doorstep. Sometimes, the needy person will feel ashamed that giver is there, and want to give something in return, though they know that they can't. If it is an apartment situation and you are afraid of somebody stealing the stuff, have someone knock on the door and hideout to make sure the door is answered.
Sometimes, all someone needs is to know that someone else knows they need help, so thanks for doing what you are doing. Maybe try to see if there is anything else these people need-sometimes, they just want someone to talk to. When you talk to them, God will open doors and show you ways to help them. He obviously has already started to do this!
Ask them what else they need; do nottell them what you (through Christ) have to offer, unless they ask!!!
you've got them in a position where they feel indebted to you so just go for it. That's the christian way, tell them wherther they want to hear or not
Did it on Saturday. Just go in. If they invite you to sit and chat just go from there. Let it be spirit lead.
Invite them chruch with you, offer to pick them up on your way. Get to know them personally. If it's a haggard looking mom with a few kids running around and no husband,you know she could use a real friend. So be the kind of friend to her that Jesus was to the blind man and the crippled man and many others. You take the lead in your group and you will inspire the others to follow suit, just like Jesus did. Somebody has to break out of the mold.
Make an effort to NOT talk down to them. Ask them how they're doing, and mean it. Listening is always the best way to bless them. Pray for love and wisdom before you go, for those who may be more of a challenge. Ask God to help you see them through His eyes and to love them with His love.
You probably already knew this stuff, so it can be a reminder. ;)
God bless you and your church family for doing what you're doing!
Extend it to more than one day. I also am involved with our churches food pantry, and it provides me with endless joy. However, it would be a more favorable witness if we cared for these every day of the year. While needs are more evident during holidays like Thanksgiving or Christmas, they don't go away the next day. May you be blessed for your efforts. Be well.
For God to lead you to really reach out all you can do is obey. The others may not be on board with you but they are not God anyway. While you are there offer your services. Start with something small, don't immediately request for them to come to your church as this will back them off. Listen to God and not everyone around you. The worst that can happen is that you get rejected when you reach out to them.. That's it.
thats great that you want to help them and minister to them.... allow God to mork through you, spend your own time in prayer before you ge and talk to your group, tell them what God told you, if they dont listen than thats between them and God... God bless you for what your doing
Im a Hindu and I regularly distribute books and try to spread the Hare Krishna message in London.
I would say this, if people ask what you are doing and why - then tell them but give it to them light. Dont go all God, Jesus and the bible on them and DONT go doing your good deed with the soul intention of trying to save a soul or two for Jesus while your feeding people.
Remember that not everyone appreciates that you are just doing what you believe in, some religions and cultures have had some nasty times at the hands of missionaries and wont react too kindly to your efforts...
At the most tell people you are doing what you are doing because you are a christian, maybe take a few leaflets about your church and tell people about some events going on and tell them they are welcome to come alone WITH NO PRESSURE
, if you feel like they are open maybe ask if you can say or teach them a prayer but KEEP IT LIGHT and RESPECT THEIR WISHES IF THEY SAY NO...
I think its far more important that people come away with a good impression of your faith than for you to come away with a soul for jesus...
people who really feel drawn to christianity will eventually come to it and will be really strong christians
.. but i cant think of anything worse than someone converting to your religion just because youve caught them at a vunerable time and they feel pressured into it
Ask the people you are delivering to if they would like you to pray a Thanksgiving prayer over them...........Thank God for the opportunity you have to serve others.
Just deliver the food and leave people alone! Christians always have an agenda. Can't you all just do things out of kindness?
Ask them if there's anything they would like prayer for and if you can come in and pray with them. They can say yes or no.
you can offer to pray but if they resist, dont force it....tell them to come to church sometime and check it out....OOO
Your church or local Christian bookstore should have tracts, New Testaments, etc. for you to offer the people.
Tell them that the food is from Jesus. If the Lord moves them, they will want to talk to you.
The chance will come. I volunteered to clear someone's garden a few months ago. It took us all day and after a cup of tea she asked ME! about Jesus and Church. Firstly I panicked and couldn't think what to say but amazingly the words came. She and her entire family have come to Christ.
To everyone giving nasty comments we are nice people that is why we help. Pity other religions do not do the same! We also do not force our beliefs on anyone.
This is the reason people with pride and honor do not take charity. There's no such thing as a free lunch, there's always strings attached.
Listen to them - be sensitive to their needs - listen too to Gods loving voice...he will provide the words
Invite them to come to your church sometime or something. Or maybe give them a free Bible with the food.
And what a nice thing to do!
I commend you for taking this opportunity to minister about God and Jesus.
You could remind them of the season of thanksgiving and that you do this following Jesus' teachings and examples. Jesus taught us to show compassion and take care of each other.
That's so great of you to minister these families! Tell them a little about god and thankful we should all be, especially on holidays like this. Play with the kids if they have them and make friends. Families enjoy knowing that someone cares so let them know that. Afterwords, leave them happy and thankful! Being a Christian makes it such more of a blessing to do these kinds of things.
This is very good to do but please keep in mind Luke 9:5 so remember it should never be a forcing thing. Just share and keep it moving, remember to give all of the Glory to God. A good scripture to remember is Matthew 25:32-46 and how it shows that we should help our brothers and sisters. When ever witnessing you should be spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is the Death Burial and Resurrection. A couple Scriptures to help in you having a knowledge of it is Acts chapter 2, Acts chapter 10.
by reading what god says about life now and whats to come , not ur words but his its not just on holidays that we should preach but in the bible jc says to preach until the end comes this is what some are doing the true religion
I believe God is trying to talk to you. Pray to the Father for help and guidance to be able to proclaim the great news of the Heavenly Lord! Tell your group that you feel this way because maybe there is a person, that you're gonna bring food to that really needs God's guidance, like we all need. Just pray and may God Bless you!!!!!!!!
 Where was the last debate on wednesday with Mccain and Obama?
 INSTANCE / WAITING FOR SPRING
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