How to BLESS Other People

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On November 7, 2021, Scott talked about how we can be a blessing to other people. The base passage was Genesis 12:1-3 but we found a lot of Scripture to support this blessing lifestyle. Here is the gist…

1 Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father’s house, To the land which I will show you; 2 And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; 3 And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.” – Genesis 12:1-3

The B in BLESS means Begin with Prayer – make a list of those for whom you are praying on a regular basis – And He was saying to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” – Luke 10:2

The L in BLESS is for Listen – discover who they are and where they are by asking questions and listening – This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; – James 1:19

The E in BLESS is for Eat – share a meal with someone each week in hopes of getting to know them better – And it happened that He was reclining at the table in his house, and many tax collectors and sinners were dining with Jesus and His disciples; for there were many of them, and they were following Him. – Mark 2:15

The First S in BLESS is for Serve – seeks ways to serve them in some way, demonstrating your love for them – For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. – Mark 10:45

The Second S in BLESS is for Story – you have two stories to share: YOUR story (which is your testimony) and HIS story (which is the gospel, the plan of salvation) – but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth. – Acts 1:8

THE FULL VIDEO SERIES:

THE BLESS SCORE CARD:

Consider using this card in your small group to help encourage participation, intentionality, and accountability.

THE FULL B.L.E.S.S. STRATEGY DOCUMENT:

FULL DISCLOSURE ABOUT THE BLESS STRATEGY:

IN A NUTSHELL:

God’s way of reaching and restoring the world to his original design has always been through a “blessing” strategy. In Genesis 12:1-3, Abraham was blessed by God so that he might be a blessing to the nations. The theme of “blessed to be a blessing” runs throughout all of Scripture.

Evangelism isn’t just a spiritual discipline. It’s a means of blessing others with the blessings we’ve received in Christ. I want to challenge you to start doing one of these five practices every single day. Imagine what could happen if you did? It starts slow but you can act your self into a new way of thinking.

When’s the last time you were even bothered by the fact that there are thousands of unreached people all around you in this city?

If it’s been a while, it’s because these kinds of things aren’t on your mind. The B.L.E.S.S. strategy will help God’s mission stay fresh in your own thinking. At the end of the day, this is what’s MOST important! Most of the things we spend our time thinking about don’t really matter in the light of eternity.

God’s mission matters. He wants you to join him in what he’s doing around the world. Not just “converting” but blessing people whom he loves with an everlasting love. You were made for this kind of living. Don’t live another day pursuing some other lesser cause.

BLESS is an easy and effective way to share your faith with others.

It is an acrostic which stands for:

B. Begin with prayer.
L. Listen. And be aware of the needs of those around you.
E. Eat. With your neighbors, co-workers and friends.
S. Serve. Look for ways to be a servant to others.
S. Share YOUR story. Share HIS story. (after you have prayed, listened, had a meal, and served).

WHY ARE WE DOING THIS?

We are doing this to accomplish the mission Jesus gave us to “go make disciples.” We are blessed and we are called to be a blessing. A large part of how we bless others is to share the good news of Christ with our friends, co-workers, and neighbors. Our hope is that our Image family would embrace the B.L.E.S.S. lifestyle and understand that it is not only easy to understand, it is something everyone can do. By actively thinking in terms of blessing others daily, it will become a natural overflow of our lives that draws our neighbors, coworkers and relatives to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

BEGIN WITH PRAYER:

Sharing your faith with other people can often seem hard or best left for those with a special gift from God, the pastor of the church, or someone…ANYONE other than yourself! It may be surprising to learn that the first part of sharing Jesus is prayer. You begin this process by making a list of people who don’t know Jesus that you might BLESS. Making this list may not seem important, but it is! Things get done when we are focused and intentional. List-making is a very helpful technique used by successful people in all walks of life. For us, it can help focus our attention upon those we hope to reach for the Lord. Start with those in your sphere of influence.

  • Where you live
  • Where you work
  • Where you study
  • Where you play
  • Where you shop

 Pray for the people on your list daily.

One very powerful truth is that what we bind on earth will be bound in heaven and what we loose on earth will be loosed in heaven (Matthew 18:18). What this “binding” and “loosing” refers to is all the unseen things that hinder people from accepting the gospel. As believers, Jesus has given us authority to “bind” all the unseen hindrances which keep people from the truth. Likewise, He has given us authority to “loose” the power of God through the Holy Spirit. We bind hindrances and we loose the Holy Spirit. In other words, prayer helps make the soil fertile before we start planting seeds. Be sure to pray each day for the three people you’ve chosen. We are responsible for prayer and sowing the seeds of truth, but it’s God who makes things grow.

Here are some additional things you can pray for.

  • That God would give you opportunities to do good for them. (1 Corinthians 3:5-7; Colossians 4:3)
  •  That God would give you wisdom to make the most of these opportunities. (Colossians 4:4-6)
  • That God would give you boldness to say what needs to be said. (Ephesians 6:18-20; Romans 1:16)
  • That those you are relating to will have opportunities to hear the truth.
  • That, as you share your story, those whom you are telling will have open hearts, receptive to hearing your story. (Matthew 13)

LISTEN INTENTIONALLY:

“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. (James 1:19)

A key to being a blessing is learning the art of listening. To help someone to Jesus you must first understand who they are and where they are. Once you know that, you’ll gain a sense of where they still need to go on their journey. It’s through listening that we gain an understanding of many things, including their spiritual understanding, their background, the possible ways in which we can serve them, fears, wants, desires, etc. Remember, at this point you are just listening and learning more about them. This builds trust and comfort into the relationship. It is very difficult to be effective in sharing your story if you have not first listened. Sharing your story starts with listening to others. It’s helpful to have some open-ended questions in mind. You can find some good examples here.

  • What is your favorite memory from childhood?
  • What was your high school experience like?
  • How do you manage to raise those children alone?
  • What do you want to be doing in five years?
  • If you could have the perfect job, what would it be?
  • What do you believe about God?

EAT TOGETHER:

“Sharing meals together on a regular basis is one of the most sacred practices we can engage in as believers. Missional hospitality is a tremendous opportunity to extend the kingdom of God. We can literally eat our way into the kingdom of God! If every Christian household regularly invited a stranger or a poor person into their home for a meal once a week, we would literally change the world by eating!”
– Alan Hirsch and Lance Ford from Right Here, Right Now

Many are surprised to find that sharing a meal with people has a lot to do with sharing Jesus. So whether you are at your favorite vacation spot, eating at a restaurant or having neighbors over for a long winter evening at home, people share the most interesting things about themselves in the context of eating a meal. We have found that one of the biggest obstacles to people sharing meals together is time. Many people feel the pressure to be elaborate and give them the best. While this is appropriate at times, this is not the goal. We suggest keeping things simple. The goal is really about having fellowship around a meal, not the meal itself.

SERVE OTHERS:

We understand our call to be like Jesus. And Jesus was a servant. His entire ministry is a stunning example of serving wherever He went from His first miracle in Cana, to the feeding of the 5,000, to the simple expression of washing the feet of His disciples, Jesus served, that’s how He lived life. Given the fact that you are reading a booklet about how to live a B.L.E.S.S. lifestyle, chances are you are already serving in many ways at church, with charitable organizations, or volunteering in numerous other ways.

So are there more ways to be intentional about how and where we serve? Absolutely! Here are 4 strategic ways to think and act in serving others.

1. Proximity

The first place to start serving is with those in close proximity to us. Look around – to your neighbors, to the people you work with, or how about the parents you site on the sidelines with while watching soccer? Or serving people in a shelter in the inner city? Start there.

2. Perceptively

Seek to understand the people God has put in close proximity to you. Isaiah 50:4 says, “The Sovereign LORD has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary.” Listen and then ask the Lord to show you how to perceptively speak into people’s lives.

3. Powerfully

John 14:12 says, “Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also, and he will do greater works than these…” We can take Jesus at His word and believe that people will, in time, give their lives to Christ. We need to claim that power to share our faith, and to see people drawn to Him.

4. Personally

One of the great miracles of the bible was when Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Lazarus was more than a project, he was Jesus’ friend and it was obvious to others. As we share our lives with people, we will hurt when they hurt and rejoice when they rejoice.

STORY PART 1: SHARE YOUR STORY – YOUR TESTIMONY

Perhaps, by now, you have already been asked what makes you different. Maybe you have already mentioned Jesus in conversation. Whatever the case, it is important that you recognize and act on the opportunity to share your faith story. When thinking about how to share your story, begin by asking God to bathe the process in His Spirit and give you wisdom as you write it down. When thinking about sharing your story with others, we suggest taking this three step process.

Step 1. Write down your story

Start by asking God to give you wisdom and clarity as you write down your story. The goal here is not to have a perfectly written document but to get your thoughts down on paper. This will help you clarify it in your mind. When writing your story there are three distinct areas you need to think through.

Life Before Christ

  • What was your life like before you trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord?
  • What were your attitudes, needs and problems?
  • What did your life revolve around? What was most important to you?

Life With Christ

  • How did you come to accept Christ and give Him complete control of your life?
  • When did you first hear the gospel?
  • What were your initial reactions to Jesus Christ?

Life After Receiving Christ

  • What happened after you trusted Christ?
  • What changes did you see in your life?
  • What does Jesus Christ mean to you now?

Step 2. Threading it Together

Once you have thoughts on paper, it’s time to get selective. Read through your ideas and, using a highlighter, underline the most important feelings, examples or incidents that relate to each of the three points in the outline at left. Use the ideas you highlight to begin writing your story, and make sure you explain what your life was like before you knew Christ, how you came to know Him, and what your life is like now.

Here are some guidelines when writing down your story:

  • Be positive throughout; don’t criticize people or the church.
  • Stay away from vague terms or religious language that confuse or polarize. Ex. Denominations.
  • Don’t glamorize your sin but Be realistic – Christ has not removed all your problems, but he does walk with us through them.
  • Try communicating biblical principles without using too many verses unless they relate directly to your experience.
  • Set aside your story for 24 hours after you have written it. After 24 hours, pick it up again see if you can communicate it to others clearly.
  • Practice communicating it to a friend and get feedback.

Step 3. Telling Your Story

Now that you have thought through your story, it’s time to share it with the individual with whom you have cultivated a relationship. Here are some helpful thoughts:

  • Be prayerful. Respond to God promptings about the right time and place for sharing your story and ask the Holy Spirit to help you share effectively.
  • Be positive and confident. Smile often and share with enthusiasm, knowing you do so in the power of the Holy Spirit.
  • Be natural and conversational. Never argue about faith or pressure your friend for a decision – the results are up to God!

Thanks for reading and implementing the B.L.E.S.S. strategy into your life. As we continue to be disciples who make disciples, we believe the B.L.E.S.S. strategy is going to be a core and central practice of our church. We would love to celebrate and hear how you are making a difference by blessing others around you.

STORY PART 2: SHARE HIS STORY – THE GOSPEL

IDEAS FOR LIVING OUT THIS STRATEGY:

Over the next few months, you are cordially invited to “Bless Your Neighbors” using any of the following creative ideas (or others inspired by these). May they help you both get to know and bless your neighbors with simple acts of kindness, so that you can have opportunities to invite them to my “party” (a relationship of faith with me!). Love, GOD

  • Learn the names of five neighbors on your street who you don’t presently know. Introduce yourself and ask your neighbors’ names when you run into them at the mailbox, in the yard, etc. Then call them by name and say “hello” the next time you see them. Also, pray for these neighbors on your own for at least a month.
  • Make an effort to smile and wave to neighbors whenever you are driving or walking in your neighborhood. Be the friendly face to your neighbors.
  • Take a “Prayer Walk” in your neighborhood. Say hello and even stop to chat with any neighbors you encounter. As you walk, silently pray for each of your neighbors. You can also take a trash bag with you and pick up litter.
  • Sponsor a Block Party for your neighborhood. “You learn a lot about a person by the kinds of parties they throw” – Pastor Dan Mason.
  • During back-to-school month, look for a way to bless a school crossing guard who works in or near your neighborhood. You could drop off some cookies with a note of appreciation, then pray on your own for God to bless that individual. Also, pray for each school that you drive past during the day.
  • Look for people in your neighborhood who are going through life changes, such as a retirement, birth of a baby, death in the family, etc. Send this person an appropriate card and pray for them on your own during their time of transition.
  • Invite a few neighbors that you have been getting to know over to watch a baseball or football game and eat hot dogs, burgers, chili, or nachos.
  • Take something to your neighbors that was either cooked or grown by you (such as cookies, tomatoes, flowers, bread, etc.), along with simple note in a friendship card. Consider including a simple Bible reference to a verse about loving and serving your neighbor (like John 13:34, Romans 12:10-12, or 1 Peter 4:10).
  • In the weeks leading up to Thanksgiving, give a neighbor a loaf of pumpkin bread. Focus on a neighbor who might not have Thanksgiving plans (the elderly, single folks, families with extended family who are out of town, etc.) and invite them to share your Thanksgiving meal. Enclose a note saying that in this season of thanksgiving, you give thanks for them as a neighbor.
  • In December, go Christmas caroling in your neighborhood with your family or a few neighbors you already know. Pass out a bag of hot chocolate mix with a note at each house. Then invite each neighbor that you serenade to meet at your house in an hour for Christmas cookies and coffee. Also, invite them to grab their coat and join you in caroling if they can.
  • Ask God for other creative ideas and things that might bless your neighbor and then try them out! (A good test is: would such an act/action bless you? If so, it will probably bless your neighbor, too).
  • One of the things I love most about the holidays is getting to do something nice for my neighbors. Oh sure, I could do it year ’round, but I am sorry to say that I really don’t think enough about it.  Then the weather cools down, the Christmas lights go up on the house and I am reminded to stop by and say hello to my precious neighbors. But we don’t want to just breeze through their lives. The Christmas season is a great opportunity to go deeper and show the love of Christ to those around us.

10 SIMPLE WAYS TO BLESS YOUR NEIGHBORS:

  1. A personal visit: Instead of calling, knock on the door and say hello.  It can feel awkward, but people love it.  Just say that you wanted to wish them a Merry Christmas in person.
  2. Baking: Try a new recipe and take some of it over to a neighbor, “Here!  We thought you might want to try what I just made!”  This is a good one for the older widow and widowers.  They enjoy encouraging the kids!
  3. Yard work: Most of my neighbors don’t need work done in their yard – in fact they would probably like to come over and do something about ours! But if we stop by their house and notice leaves on the sidewalk or dirt that needs to be swept we can go back over later and take care of it.
  4. Notes: We make cards and notes for our neighbors each holiday season and either leave them in the mailbox or on the door.  Who doesn’t feel loved by a hand written note?  You can add a favorite scripture or “we’re praying for you” message into your note without seeming too pushy.
  5. Love their pets: Some of your neighbors are very attached to their pets, so take a cat toy or dog bone over to let them know we care about their pets too!
  6. Share a recipe: If your neighbor is having family visit for the holidays, take them a few of your favorite recipes written on pretty note cards (even better if you have a sample for them to try).  Recipe cards are another great place to add a Bible verse.
  7. Watch their house: If they are headed out of town, offer to keep an eye on things while they are gone.  Be sure you have their contact information and make sure that they have yours.
  8. Take them a book: If your neighbor has children or grandchildren that like to visit, take over a good book to add to their library. 
  9. Let them know that you are praying for them: Neighbors should know we pray for them because we tell them!  When you stop by for the holidays, listen for ways to pray for them specifically.  Just tell them, “That’s good to know!  I will pray for that.”
  10. Check back later: If they shared with you some struggle or problem they are having, it’s really nice if you stop by a week or so later to check on how they are doing.  Remembering details is a great way to show someone you care. It’s such a great time of year to let your neighbors know that you care about them.  When we take the time to make sure everyone’s Christmas is a little more merry, we often end up more blessed than the people we’re trying to bless.
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