Who is going through a major life event right now?
Who will I have the chance to interact with this week?
Who have I not reached out to in a while?
Who has helped me out recently that I can thank or give back to?
Is there someone in my life that God might be inviting me to know more deeply?
Groups God Wants All of Us to Love
Which of these groups is God placing on my heart this week?
What is one concrete way I could love that group?
Groups I Am Uniquely Called to Love
Based on my family experiences, who do I understand deeply?
Based on my education and skills, who could I serve effectively?
Based on my vocational experience, who has God positioned me to reach?
Based on my painful experiences, who might I comfort with the comfort I've received?
Based on my spiritual journey, who might benefit from what I've learned?
100 Ways to Bless Others
Predictability makes kind gestures less effective. The world is full of people who are nice; far fewer are effectively kind.
Celebrating Life Events
Call them on their birthday (especially milestone birthdays)
Call them after job interviews
Call them when they get promoted
Call them after they close on a house
Call them when they are recently pregnant
Call them when they are recently engaged
Call them the day their kids start daycare or school
Call them when they recently earned an award or received honors
Text them on their baby delivery due date
Text them the day before their wedding anniversary
Text them when they graduate, retire, or accomplish something big
Text them when they hit or miss their sales quota
Text them after they recently got back from a big family vacation
Toast their small win at group dinner
Drop off beers, cigars, or other small items when something big happens
Walking Through Hard Times
Call them when you know they're going through stressful situations
Call someone on Father's Day/Mother's Day who recently lost a parent
Text someone on their deceased loved one's birthday or death anniversary
Follow up one week AND one month after they lose a loved one
Follow up one week AND one month after they got fired or started a new job
Follow up one week AND one month after they recently moved to a new city
Follow up one week AND one month after conflict with loved ones or divorce
Look for books, articles, and resources when they're going through hard times
Spend time with someone dealing with depression — just sit with them
Help someone battling substance abuse
When someone suffers public disgrace, take them to lunch weekly for a month
Visit someone in the hospital
Forgive someone who has wronged you
Practical Service
When friends leave on vacation, offer to water plants, pet-sit, mow lawn, watch kids, or check in on their house
Mow an elderly neighbor's lawn without being asked
Drop off soup and a get well note when someone is sick
Drop off dog toys when someone gets a new puppy
Drop off pizza and plates to someone who barely has time to eat
Offer to pick up or drop off someone at the airport when they travel
When someone hosts a gathering, show up early to help and stay late to clean
Rent tools from Home Depot and offer to help friends take care of their home
Help neighbors with tree-trimming, window-washing, car washing, or driveway power-washing once a year
Offer to shop for food and pick up medications for seniors and the sick
Let someone in need borrow your tools, truck, or time
Offer your car or house to someone's visiting family or friends
Help with trash, dishes, lawn, laundry, countertops, sweeping, dusting, vacuuming, or toilet cleaning for those mourning or struggling
Set up a Meal Train for someone who could use it
Cook a week's worth of meals for a family dealing with a big life event
Show up to a friend's house who is struggling and say "put me to work!"
Be interruptible — give up what you were planning to help someone who needs it
Words of Encouragement
Identify a unique gift someone carries and express with rich clarity why that quality is so important to you or to the world
Compliment the traits people spend their whole life honing
Intentionally give a compliment to someone who may not receive them often
Brag about someone when introducing them to someone else
Call or text someone's family and give them a secondhand compliment through their spouse, sibling, parent, or best friend
Find a way to naturally ask someone what their favorite thing about someone nearby is — and make sure they overhear it
Use every toast as an opportunity to compliment someone
Defend someone from gossip who isn't present to defend themselves
Give positive feedback at work and send it to their boss or internal system
Send 'Thank You' notes to your client's boss to help them get promoted
Write a handwritten thank-you note showing honest appreciation
Encourage someone by sharing how God's grace helped you in your weakness rather than bragging about your strength
Look for people who no-showed an event and tell them they were missed
Digital & Social Connection
Send a text asking for more details about their latest social media post
Respond meaningfully to social media with genuine comments, not just likes
Send voice messages occasionally for a more personal touch than text
Share an article or book that made you think of someone specifically
Create a digital group card to celebrate or support someone
Bring up an old memory or photo you share and compliment them
Professional & Financial Blessing
Support their goals by promoting their business, recommending services, or connecting them with opportunities
Help a friend put together a resume to find a job
Be generous with your expertise
Follow up with big client deals or projects that are upcoming at work
Offer free tutoring for students struggling with their studies
Ask about foundations or causes they're passionate about and donate in their name
Send 'Thank You' notes to the bride's family after weddings
Presence & Quality Time
Show up to support events important to others (recitals, games, graduations)
Include kids with special needs in activities with your children
Spend time with someone who is lonely — ask questions, let them talk
Do something special for their special someone
Open up and be vulnerable — acknowledge that you need your friends
Take family photos for someone who can't afford a photographer
Invite someone who's alone to join your family celebrations
Invite someone who may not have plans over for Thanksgiving
Participate in their cultural celebrations with genuine enthusiasm
Challenge a friend or keep them accountable to something they're working on
Call your parents/grandparents just to say hi
Serving the Vulnerable
Offer to buy supplies for a teacher's classroom
Offer support to those who serve special needs children
Offer free language lessons to immigrants or refugees
Drop off food for firemen and police officers
Offer to care-give or babysit for free for tired or busy parents
Ask someone directly how you can best be there for them
Spiritual Encouragement
Ask someone to church
Ask how you can pray for someone, and pray over them right there
Pray continually through hard times, and let them know when you do
Go through old books and find one they'd like — write a note inside about why you're passing it on
Hosting & Party Support
When someone is hosting a big party, offer to:
Arrive early to set up
Bring a dish, drinks, or ice
Play bartender or entertain kids
Act as the photographer
Introduce guests to each other
Monitor supplies and run errands if needed
Handle the trash and tidy as you go
Offer to help with post-party cleanup
Ways to Get Someone to Accept Help
The "A or B" Option
"I have some free time this afternoon. Would you rather I take the kids to the park for an hour, or should I come over and tackle that pile of dishes?"
The "Selfish" Reframing
"I am incredibly bored right now and I need a distraction. Can I please come over and help you organize that garage? It would honestly be a huge favor to me to get my mind off work."
The "Already in Motion" Technique
"I'm making a huge pot of chili for myself anyway and I made way too much. I'm going to drop a container on your porch around 6:00. You don't even have to come to the door."
The "Body Double" Offer
"I have a stack of paperwork I've been avoiding for weeks. Can I come over and do my admin work at your kitchen table while you do yours? We don't even have to talk — I just focus better when someone else is working next to me."
The "Expertise" Excuse
"I just learned this new formatting trick in Excel and I've been dying to test it out on a real project. Can you send me that spreadsheet you're stressing over so I can see if it works?"
The "Statement," Not the Question
"I'm picking up your kids from soccer practice today and bringing them home so you don't have to worry about traffic. I'll text you when we are 5 minutes away."
The "Future-Proof" Setup
"I know you've got this handled right now, but I want to be on call for the painting. When you get to the painting stage of the renovation, will you promise to text me? I actually enjoy painting."
"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others."
— Philippians 2:4