Do you have a friend who is overwhelmed with schoolwork or a work project, and hasn’t had time to eat? Instead of just saying “Hope things get better!” it would be far more meaningful to bring them their favourite meal or treat them with a coffee break!

In Acts 15-21, we see that the early church didn’t just focus on teaching about Jesus—they cared for people as whole individuals, meeting both spiritual and physical needs. When a famine struck, they didn’t just offer prayers or words of encouragement from afar. They gathered supplies and sent real, practical aid to support those who were suffering.

This story from Acts reminds us that following Jesus means putting love into action, going beyond words to help those around us in real ways. The early church recognized that people’s spiritual and physical lives are deeply connected, and meeting both needs is essential.

This shows us that faith is practical—it’s both sharing the Good News and being the Good News by actively serving those in need.

Reflection Questions:

• Can you think of a time when someone cared for you in a way that was both spiritual and physical, like helping you out with something and encouraging you at the same time? How did that impact you?

• Who in your life might be needing both encouragement and practical support right now? How could you help meet their needs, just like the early church did?

Comment below to share your thoughts…