Blessing Others: Let’s share Christ in our community 

As Easter approaches, it is good for the church to pause and remember why we gather. We meet because God called us to Himself through the death and resurrection of His Son. We gather to grow in our love for God and for one another—but also so that the love of Christ might overflow from our lives into our community. 

This is the heart behind Blessing Others: encouraging our Growth Groups to look outward and intentionally bless the people God has placed around us. And as we get closer to Easter, let us take the opportunities that we have to share Christ’s love with our family, friends, and neighbours. 

Love That Cannot Stay Contained 

When Jesus was asked about the greatest commandment, he answered: 

“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind… And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” 
— Gospel of Matthew 22:37–39 

Love for God and love for neighbour belong together. As we grow in our relationship with God, that love has to flow outward. It cannot stay contained unless it goes stale. 

The greatest gift we can offer our neighbours is not simply kindness or generosity—though those matter deeply. The greatest act of love is to make Jesus known, sharing the good news of the One who brings forgiveness, hope, and life in him. And there’s hardly any better time than Easter to do so (some would say Christmas, but let’s not go down that rabbit hole). 

Shining as Lights in Our City 

Scripture often describes God’s people as lights in a dark world. Jesus himself said: 

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden… Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” 
— Gospel of Matthew 5:14–16 

Our prayer as a church is to see more disciples of Jesus shining as lights in our city. 

This happens as we love people sacrificially and share the message of Christ with those who do not yet know him: as we let our light shine out before others. And it happens most naturally through the ordinary rhythms of life—friendships, meals, conversations, and acts of love. 

So I encourage us to use a good time with a friend, a shared meal with family, a chat with a colleague, a kind note to a neighbor, to invite them to Easter. 

The best thing that can happen is that they might say yes! So don’t worry! Or as Hosea would wisely say, “You miss every shot you don’t take”! 

A Mission We Share Together 

None of us carries this mission alone. God has placed us in His community, the church, so that we can pray for and encourage one another as we seek to share Christ around us. 

The apostle Paul reminds us that the church is one body with many parts, each contributing in its unique way: 

“Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” 
— First Epistle to the Corinthians 12:27 

Every member and every Growth Group is different. Each member and group has different gifts, opportunities, challenges, limitations, and neighbourhood connections. 

Every one of us has the potential to be a blessing to their local community, family, and friends by sharing the good news of Easter with them. You might decide to do something on your own or with your family, or to organise something with your Group. In any case, make sure to share your plans with your Growth Group and pray with them. 

You could: 

• Drop flyers in your neighbors’ letterboxes with a personal note and an Easter egg. 

• Invite friends and family for lunch on Easter Sunday and invite them to the service beforehand. 

• Invite your not-yet-Christian friends and their kids to our Easter egg hunt. 

There is no single formula for blessing others. But prayerfully consider what might be realistic and meaningful in your own context with the help of your brothers and sisters in Christ. 

Expecting God to Work 

Scripture reminds us that it is ultimately God who brings the growth: 

“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.” 
— First Epistle to the Corinthians 3:6 

Our role is to be faithful—to pray, to love, to speak of Christ and how he came into our lives, and to step into the opportunities God places before us. 

A Prayer for Our Church 

May God continue to shape us into a church whose love overflows. 

May we grow not only in our knowledge and love of Christ but also in our willingness to make him known. 

And may many in our city come to see the light of Jesus through the faithful witness of his people this Easter. 

Amen. 

PS: If you haven’t had the chance to receive the “Blessing Others” booklet at the Unity Service, don’t hesitate to email me: benji.vaytet@wollongonganglican.org 

Benji Vaytet (Community Pastor)