5 Faithful Ways to Serve Your Community as an Older Adult

Quick Summary: Serving others is a calling that doesn’t have an age limit, and there are many meaningful ways older adults can live that out during retirement. Sharing a personal testimony can encourage someone else’s journey, while volunteering with a local nonprofit or church builds connection and reflects the heart of Jesus. Using personal skills to bless others rounds out these faithful ways to serve.

Benefits of serving your community can include:

• Deepening your walk with God by reflecting the heart of Jesus
• Finding purpose and meaning in your days
• Building your connections with others
• Setting a godly example for others
• Lifting your own spirits and reducing risks associated with isolation and loneliness

If you’d like to serve your community more during retirement but aren’t sure where to start, consider one of the ideas below.

1. Share Your Testimony

“One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:5

Your story can be a great service to others. When you share what God has done in your life, you may help someone else see what he’s doing in theirs.

Sharing about Jesus can take on many forms, including:

• Traditional evangelism. This method involves sharing the gospel story and the path to salvation with others in a bold manner. You might ask your neighbors if they know the gospel story and, if not, if they’d like to hear it.
• Sharing your own story. You can more organically share the good news by telling others how it’s impacted you. As you get to know people in your community and talk about your life and history, don’t be afraid to talk about God’s role in it.
• Sharing devotionals and books. If you’re not comfortable talking about yourself and your walk with God, consider sharing reading materials or other devotional opportunities with others. For example, you could link your daily devo read on Facebook to share it with others.

2. Volunteer With a Local Nonprofit

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10

Whether you’re living in your long-time neighborhood or you’ve downsized into an independent living garden home or apartment, look for opportunities to serve nearby. Some options to consider include:

• Serving in church. You can teach Sunday school, care for children in the nursery, act as a greeter on Sunday mornings or volunteer for outreach events.
• Working in local nonprofits. Many nonprofits seek volunteers to help sort donations or cook meals.
• Volunteering at the library. Share joy and kindness with others by helping shelve books or reading to children at a local library.

3. Send Cards or Call and Check on Others

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

Residents enjoying life in assisted living can also volunteer their time to support others. You might make and send cards with encouraging greetings to others or call and check on loved ones and friends regularly. Here are some best practices for this type of ministry:

• Be consistent. Someone might look forward to your Tuesday morning calls, so if you make a habit of reaching out to people, try to keep up with it.
• Show joy. Whenever possible, let your light shine so others might see it.
• Be willing to listen. Whether you’re engaging in written correspondence or talking on the phone, encourage the other person to share about their life and day too.

4. Host a Prayer Group or Bible Study

“For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20

The Bible encourages God’s people to gather in worship of him. You can do this on a regular basis in your own home or assisted living apartment. Get a few friends together to talk about a Bible passage, or create a prayer group that meets weekly to pray for each other.  

Some tips for hosting this type of group include:

• Keep it simple. You don’t have to go big to bear good fruit when you’re gathering in God’s name.
• Offer light refreshments. Consider having coffee and lemonade or some small snacks on hand so you can enjoy food and beverages with each other.
• Have enough people to keep it going. Four to five people may be a good number, as it’s easy to accommodate that many in a smaller home. However, you still have enough people to meet even if one or two are out of town or sick.

5. Bless Others With Your Skills or Work

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.” Colossians 3:23

Consider what type of skills you have and use them to care for or bless others. You might crochet small items to give friends, make food to take to others or write stories or devotionals that share the gospel with readers. Whatever you do, consider how you can work for the Lord.