Emulate Mary's service in our community?
How can we emulate Mary's example of service in our community today?

Scripture Focus

“Mary stayed with Elizabeth for about three months and then returned home.” (Luke 1:56)


What Mary’s Stay Reveals

• Immediate action: After Gabriel’s announcement, Mary travels quickly (Luke 1:39). Service is often a matter of prompt obedience.

• Long-term presence: Three months is an entire trimester. Genuine service lingers, walking through a whole season—not a quick drop-in.

• Practical help: An older, pregnant relative needed daily support. Mary likely cooked, cleaned, fetched water, and provided steady companionship.

• Spiritual encouragement: Elizabeth’s baby leaped at Mary’s greeting (Luke 1:41). Mary’s presence carried the blessing of Christ. Service blends practical aid with spiritual refreshment.


Serve Like Mary: Practical Steps

• Look for obvious needs close to home—family, neighbors, church members.

• Offer sustained help: schedule regular visits, meals, rides, or childcare for three months—or whatever span is truly helpful.

• Bring Christ into the room: share Scripture, sing, pray with people (Colossians 3:16).

• Stay humble and quiet: Mary’s Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55) magnified the Lord, not herself. Let any praise roll upward to Him.


Heart Attitudes to Cultivate

• Availability—willing to pause personal plans (Luke 1:38).

• Endurance—service that keeps showing up (Galatians 6:9).

• Others-first mindset—“in humility consider others more important” (Philippians 2:3-4).

• Joyful confidence in God’s promises—Mary rejoiced while serving (Luke 1:47).


Living It Out in Community

• Adopt a new mother or father for a season: meals, chores, late-night texts of support.

• Walk with the elderly through appointments and home projects—stay as long as needed.

• Mentor teens: weekly Bible study, life skills, and consistent encouragement.

• Create a rotation of service with friends so one household carries another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2).

• Share Christ naturally during service—much like Mary’s greeting brought life to Elizabeth’s home.


Further Passages to Fuel Our Service

John 13:14-15—Jesus washes feet; “you also should wash one another’s feet.”

Proverbs 3:27—“Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.”

1 Peter 4:10—“Each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve others.”

James 2:15-17—faith expresses itself in meeting tangible needs.

Follow Mary’s example: move quickly toward need, stay long enough to make a difference, and let every act point back to the Savior she carried.

How does Mary's visit connect to Proverbs 27:17 about mutual encouragement?
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