Building Faith in God Through Service: Faith in Action at Church

Faith isn’t only what we believe in our hearts—it’s how we live it out. One of the most powerful ways to build strong faith in God is through service. When we serve, we put our faith into action, and God not only uses our hands to bless others but also strengthens our hearts in the process.

This post is part of my Building Faith in God series. In the introductory post, I shared 8 ways to grow your faith. We’ve already looked at Scripture for daily encouragement, hearing God’s whisper in silence and solitude, daily worship practices, and the strength of Christian community. Today, I want to share how faith grows when we take what God has given us and use it to serve others.

Serving Through The Coat Giveaway

Every fall, our church—Simply Church—hosts an annual coat giveaway for our local community. It’s a beautiful picture of Matthew 25 brought to life: meeting practical needs while sharing Christ’s love.

This year, Jeff and I felt led to do more than just donate coats. We decided to also share some of the gifts God has entrusted to us—our handcrafted Christian products. At the giveaway, we provided God’s Promise Books and I AM kids affirmation books for the families.

These books may be small, but I believe God will use them as seeds of truth, tucked into little hands and hearts. Just as a warm coat protects from the cold, God’s Word brings comfort and hope to the soul.

Using Our Gifts to Serve

This verse captures exactly how Jeff and I feel about our work with inAWE Handmade. God has given us the ability to design and handcraft books that share His Word. When we use that gift to encourage others, it’s not just about a product—it’s about serving as stewards of His grace.

Service doesn’t always look like preaching a sermon or leading a ministry. Sometimes it’s as simple as showing up with the gifts God has placed in your hands and offering them back to Him.

How Service Builds Faith ✨

William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, once wrote:

“Faith and works should travel side by side, step answering to step, like the legs of men walking; first faith, and then works—and then faith again, and then works again—until you can scarcely distinguish which is the one and which is the other.”

This picture is so true. Service and faith feed each other:

1️⃣ Action strengthens belief. Every time we step out to serve, we live what we believe.

2️⃣ We see God at work. In the smiles, the gratitude, and the opportunities, we recognize His hand.

3️⃣ We share His heart. Service draws us closer to God’s compassion for His people.

Small Acts, Big Impact 💛

Service doesn’t have to be big to matter. A coat. A meal. A book with encouraging words. Each act is a reminder of God’s love.

That’s what I love about being part of our church’s giveaway. Everyone brings something different, and together, God multiplies it into a blessing for our community.

Encouragement for You 🌸

You don’t have to wait for a big event to put your faith in action. Look for a small way to serve this week:

✓ Send an encouraging note.

✓ Pray with a friend.

✓ Volunteer at your church.

✓ Use your unique talents to bless someone.

Closing: Faith in Action at Church

Matthew 25 reminds us that when we serve others, we serve Christ Himself. And 1 Peter 4:10 calls us to use the gifts God has entrusted to us for the good of others.

Here's another verse I came upon recently that truly resonated with me and reminded me that when we collaborate with God good results are guaranteed.

Service is both an expression of faith and a way to build it. My prayer is that as you step out in small or big ways to serve, you’ll discover just how faithful God is to grow your heart in the process.

FAQ

Q: How does service build faith?
A: Service puts faith into action. As we give, we see God’s love at work and our trust in Him deepens.

Q: What are some verses about serving God?
A: Matthew 25:35–36, 1 Peter 4:10, Galatians 5:13, and James 2:17 all remind us of the importance of serving.

Q: How can I practice faith in action at church?
A: Look for simple opportunities—helping with an outreach, volunteering in ministry, or using your unique gifts to encourage others.