1 Peter 3:8-12 (The Message) “Summing up: Be agreeable, be sympathetic, be loving, be compassionate, be humble. That goes for all of you, no exceptions. No retaliation. No sharp-tongued sarcasm. Instead, bless – that’s your job, to bless. You’ll be a blessing and also get a blessing.”

The word “initiative” is defined as one’s personal, responsible decision. In other words, it’s a decision we make that moves us to take responsibility and do something about a given situation. The “Be a Blessing Initiative” is an endeavor to encourage people to take advantage of every opportunity to help others who could benefit from an act of kindness or service. It is a great opportunity for us as Christ followers to show love and encouragement by reaching out a helping hand, offering hope to those around us and inspiring them to do the same! Jesus said it this way in Matthew 25:40: “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”

At LifeHouse Church Bethel it is our desire that our church family would take the initiative and bless others on an individual basis, and work together to bless the communities in and around the church building.

Check out our idea list of over 100 ways to bless someone! Whether it’s on the streets, in your neighborhood, at work, or at home…look around you, get some great ideas, and be inspired to action! The list is always expanding!

Want to do something more? Join A Team! Every month we will post opportunities for you to join a team of others who are willing to take the initiative.

Luke 6:31 (The Message) “Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you, then grab the initiative and do it for them!”

100+ Ways to Be a Blessing

There are so many great ideas and ways to bless other people around you. We’ve put together a list of a few of them. Be inspired! Feel free to send us your ideas! We can keep expanding the list.

1. Host a Neighborhood/Community Block Party

2. Give a free car wash.

3. Provide childcare for a couple to go on a date night.

4. Run errands for a day for someone who is very busy or unable to go themselves (elderly, single mom, sick, etc).

5. Drive an elderly or handicapped person to the grocery store.

6. Be a handy man for a day. Lend your skills to do free home repair for someone in need. Or gather of team of people to accomplish bigger tasks.

7. Buy a bag of groceries and give them away.

8. Get involved in mentoring (Boys and Girls Club, etc)

9. Provide free after-school tutoring for a child

10. Volunteer to coach kids’ sports.

11. Help someone move.

12. Mow your neighbor’s grass and/or do lawn care.

13. Let people go in front of you in the line at Wal-Mart.

14. Leave an extra-large tip for your waiter or waitress.

15. Buy an unexpected gift for someone.

16. Provide an expecting mother or elderly woman with a manicure or pedicure.

17. Bless someone with a free vacation.

18. Share your timeshare with someone for free.

19. Take someone along on your family vacation.

20. Pick up trash in a neighborhood park.

21. Buy diapers for a family with young children.

22. Pay the Toll for the car behind you.

23. Host bible study night at your house.

24. Send a hand-written letter to someone for no special reason other than to tell them you appreciate them and thought about them today.

25. Organize a basket of cheer among family and friends for a loved one who is sick or feeling blue.

26. Send flowers to someone with a note of encouragement attached.

27. Open the door for someone whose hands are full.

28. Pick up groceries or another needed item while you are out buying things for yourself. If you are already at the store, why not pick up a few items up for someone else?

29. If you can sew, get out the sewing machine and fix that hem on your friend’s clothing. They’ll appreciate it and it will help them save money.

30. Visit someone in the hospital.

31. Volunteer time at a nursing home to visit with the residents.

32. Volunteer at the local homeless shelter.

33. Volunteer at a food pantry.

34. Bake a pie or cake for each of your neighbors and deliver them.

35. Help a child with their fundraiser for school or extra-curricular activity.

36. Make a meal for someone just getting back from vacation. They may be too tired to make any food for themselves and it will be a welcome treat.

37. Speak a word of encouragement to someone at work.

38. Host a yard sale or bake sale to raise funds for a family or organization in need.

39. Parents – set a special day aside on your calendar for each of your children to spend quality time with them. Go to the park, teach them a sport, see a movie, eat at their favorite restaurant, etc.

40. Schedule date night with your spouse once a week to get out of the house and spend quality time.

41. Take care of a neighbor’s pet or house while they are on vacation.

42. Help someone shop at the grocery store and carry their bags.

43. Offer to help a parent load their groceries in their car while they load up their kids.

44. Collect stray shopping carts from the parking lot and deliver them to their proper place.

45. Organize a food or clothing drive in your neighborhood or school, and have all proceeds benefit a charity.

46. Schools often have lists of children needing school supplies; your family can help put together the needed supplies and provide them to the school to anonymously give to the child.

47. Instill the spirit of generosity in your children – ask them to go through their things and choose items to donate to needy children. Have them choose well-loved items in excellent condition, not ones that are broken or in poor condition. In exchange, you can take them to the park or for ice cream as a special way to celebrate.

48. Volunteer to read books to children at your local library.

49. Bring some goodies to share at work.

50. Send a thank you note to your child’s teacher.

51. Offer a genuine compliment to a stranger.

52. Give up your seat for someone.

53. Give up that great parking space!

54. Clean up the dishes in the break room at work.

55. Give your pizza delivery guy a gas card with his tip.

56. Send a thank you note to your local police office.

57. Visit your local animal shelter and offer to walk some of the dogs.

58. Smile and thank a cashier.

59. Donate your gently used professional clothes to an organization that helps people get back into the workforce.

60. Listen to someone who is going through a tough time.

61. Give an inspiring book to a friend in need.

62. Share your umbrella with someone who doesn’t have one.

63. Leave enough change in the vending machine for the next person to get a snack.

64. Surprise your spouse with breakfast in bed.

65. Write a note to a family member telling them why they are special.

66. Host a food or clothing drive to benefit a local shelter.

67. Donate blood.

68. Print an inspiring story and post it on your work bulletin board.

69. Buy books for a day care center.

70. Donate art supplies you no longer use to a classroom.

71. Volunteer at a senior center.

72. Fill your spouse’s car with fuel.

73. Donate your cut hair to Locks of Love.

74. Cut coupons and leave them by the items at the store.

75. Drop off a toy or game at the hospital.

76. Invite someone who lives alone over for dinner.

77. Put a quarter in an expired parking meter.

78. Share devotions with a group.

79. Help someone change a flat tire.

80. Rake leaves or shovel snow for someone.

81. Wash and fold someone’s laundry.

82. Talk about Jesus whenever you can.

83. Leave grocery gift cards in a mail box.

84. Recycle your magazines or books to a hospital, shelter, or group home.

85. Take in an exchange student.

86. Become a foster parent.

87. Give backpacks, blankets, or tents to the homeless.

88. Be welcoming to new people in church, at work, or in other groups.

89. Give free music lessons to someone.

90. Visit or write cards to a prisoner.

91. Tip fast food workers.

92. Pay for someone’s fast food order behind you in a line-up.

93. Can you knit or crochet? Make a scarf or prayer shawl for someone who is sick or needing encouragement. Be in prayer for the person who’ll be receiving it. Include a special note to let them know how you’ve wrapped them in your prayers.

94. Ask your pastor for names of people in the congregation who need encouragement and give them a call.

95. Intercede for others daily in prayer.

96. Offer to pray for a stranger.

97. Support a missionary family or child in need.

98. Be an Internet Missionary! Share your faith story on your online profile. Volunteer helping disciple people online and respond to people from Facebook and online evangelism websites.

99. Put some change in someone’s expired parking meter.

100. Help someone making lots of copies in the printer room at work.

101. When you’re at the coffee shop, buy an extra coffee for someone.

102. Pick up the tab at a restaurant for someone eating near you.

103. Help someone with their laundry at a laundry mat.

104. Leave coins in washer/dryer at the laundry mat for the next person.

105. Change someone’s oil in their car.

This list is not an exhaustive list.  We encourage you to find ways to bless other people.