Are You People Driven? The Call to Love and Serve Others

It’s important to love and serve others instead of spending all our time on our own to-do lists.

Jesus took the time to talk to a Samaritan woman, to show her grace and reveal his identity as the Messiah.

We are called to follow his example by putting down our to-do lists and serving those in front of us, whether that means helping someone in need, comforting a friend, or simply listening to someone who needs to be heard.

Let’s pray for opportunities to love and serve others and be open to God’s leading in our daily interactions.

Devotional Story

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus says to her, “Give me a drink” (John 4:7, ESV).

It’s noon, and the sun is high in the sky. Jesus has been on His feet for hours already and He’s tired. He sits down at the well and waits.

A few minutes later, a Samaritan woman appears. Jesus asks her for a drink and she’s shocked. She’s used to most Jews looking down on her. When she confesses she doesn’t have a husband, she waits again for rejection.

But it never comes.

There’s only grace.

As they continue to talk, she says, “I know the Messiah is coming.”

Then Jesus declares, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he” (John 4:26).

Of all the people He could have revealed His identity to, Jesus chose a lowly Samaritan woman. Of all the tasks that Jesus could have been doing, He made time for a conversation with a lonely woman.

It’s good to accomplish a task when God commands it. But in today’s world, it’s easy to become task driven. We’re so focused on checking the next item off our to-do list that we miss people.

Being a disciple of Christ means that sometimes we must put down the to-do list and serve those in front of us.

Maybe that means pausing your grocery shopping long enough to help someone in a wheelchair. Perhaps that looks like taking a homemade meal to a sick friend.

It could also mean listening to your pre-teen share her latest drama, even though there’s a stack of dishes waiting in the sink.

General Questions with Study Verses

As we reflect on our personal experiences, we can draw parallels to biblical narratives that urge us to prioritize relationships over tasks, recognize opportunities for connection, and extend grace rather than judgment.

Below are questions and verses for your time in Bible study.

By contemplating these questions, we can better appreciate the ways we interact with others and strive to embody the love and acceptance that Jesus modeled in His encounters.

Encounter with Others

Consider a time when you felt like you were judged or overlooked by others. How can you relate to the Samaritan woman’s experience of surprise when Jesus showed her kindness?

John 4:9 – “The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)”

Luke 6:31 – “And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”

1 Samuel 16:7 – “But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'”

Matthew 10:42 – “And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”

Romans 15:7 – “Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.”

Prioritizing People Over Tasks

Reflect on a situation in your life where you were too focused on completing tasks. What did you miss out on in terms of connecting with people around you?

Luke 10:38-42 – “Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her”

Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.”

Proverbs 18:24 – “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Galatians 6:10 – “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.”

1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

Acts of Kindness

Think about a specific way you can intentionally put others first in your daily routine. How can you make a conscious effort to pause and serve someone in need this week?

Matthew 25:40 – “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'”

1 John 3:18 – “Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.”

Ephesians 4:32 – “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.”

Titus 3:14 – “And let our people learn to devote themselves to good works, so as to help cases of urgent need, and not be unfruitful.”

Proverbs 21:21 – “Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor.”

Get a print out of the study questions and verses below!

Recognizing Divine Moments

Jesus chose to reveal His identity to a Samaritan woman at the well. How can you be more aware of the “divine moments” or opportunities for connection in your everyday interactions?

John 4:26 – “Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.'”

Hebrews 13:2 – “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”

Acts 3:6-7 – “But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.”

Colossians 4:5 – “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.”

Job 33:14 – “For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it.”

Grace Over Judgment

In what ways can you extend grace to those who may be different from you, just as Jesus did with the Samaritan woman? How can this change the way you view your relationships with others?

John 8:7 – “And as they continued to ask him, he stood up and said to them, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first to throw a stone at her.”

James 2:13 – “For judgment is without mercy to one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Matthew 7:1-2 – “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”

2 Corinthians 5:16 – “From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer.”

Romans 2:1 – “Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things.”

These verses encourage reflection on personal experiences while drawing parallels to biblical accounts and teachings.

What the Bible Says About Loving and Serving Others

The Bible God’s Word to His people, guiding them towards leading a life filled with love, compassion, and service to others.

Whether you’re a devoted follower of Jesus or simply curious, let’s see what the Bible says about loving and serving others.

Love Your Neighbor as Yourself

The Bible speaks directly to the concept of loving and serving others in the book of Mark. One scribe asks Jesus,

“Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus replies, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31, ESV).

This passage teaches us that showing love and care for others is as crucial as our love for God. Loving our neighbors means treating them with respect, empathy, and generosity, just as we would desire for ourselves.

It’s a reminder that our actions and attitudes should reflect an understanding of the value of every individual.

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Another powerful story emphasizing the importance of loving and serving others is the Parable of the Good Samaritan.

In this parable, Jesus explains the meaning of genuine compassion. He tells the story of how a man, beaten and robbed, is ignored by people passing by without offering him any help.

But, a Samaritan, hated by others in the society, was the one who stopped and helped the wounded man (Luke 10:25-37).

Through this story, the Bible teaches us we should not limit our love and service to those who are like us or are already within our social circles.

Instead, we should extend our kindness towards anyone in need, regardless of their nationality, race, or social background. It encourages us to break down barriers and prejudices to become sources of love and service to all.

Be a Servant Leader

The Bible also urges us to adopt a servant’s heart. In the book of Matthew, Jesus teaches his disciples,

“But whoever would be great among you must be your servant” (Matthew 20:26). Even as leaders, we are to show selflessness and humility in our service to others.

Being a servant leader means placing the needs of others before our own. It involves seeking opportunities to help, uplift, and support those around us, expecting nothing in return.

The Bible suggests that true greatness is not found in status or authority, but in our willingness to serve others wholeheartedly.

As you journey through life, remember the teachings of the Bible on loving and serving others. The Bible’s wisdom emphasizes the significance of treating others with kindness, compassion, and selflessness.

Love your neighbor as yourself, the Parable of the Good Samaritan, and the concept of servant leadership all remind us of our responsibility to care for and serve others without discrimination.

Let us make it our mission to extend love, empathy, and care to everyone we encounter, as we strive to reflect these biblical principles in our own lives.

Todays Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with hearts full of gratitude for the lessons You teach us through Your Son, Jesus. Thank You for the beautiful example He set at the well, where He paused His journey to connect with a lonely Samaritan woman.

In that simple request for a drink, you showed the power of grace and compassion that knows no boundaries.

Lord, help us recognize the moments in our busy lives when we, too, can set aside our to-do lists to extend love and kindness to those around us. Teach us to see people as You see them, not as tasks to be completed, but as precious souls yearning for connection and understanding.

As we go about our day, prompt us to act with compassion—whether it’s helping someone in need, reaching out to a friend in distress, or simply being present for a loved one. Let our lives reflect Your love, bringing light and hope to those who feel unseen or unloved.

We are grateful for the grace that flows freely from You. May we be vessels of that grace, pouring it out onto others as we share the good news of Your presence in our lives.

In Jesus’ name, we pray,

Amen.