How To Help People

The Bible says, “Peter said, ‘Look at us…Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.’ Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong” (v 4-7).

Peter did three things you must do if you want to help people:

(1) Get their attention. Peter told this incapacitated man, “Look at us” (v. 4 NIV). Hurting people are often so distracted by their pain, their past experiences, and their future fears, that in order to get through to them you must first get their attention. Why? Because faith must be focused if it’s to be effective.

(2) Introduce them to the name that’s greater than their problem. That name is “Jesus,” and it’s greater than every sickness and situation. Rehab centers confirm that a relatively small percentage of people stay free from their addiction. That’s the bad news. Now here’s the good news: The name of Jesus is stronger than every addiction! “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow” (Philippians 2:10). So introduce those who are hurting to Jesus!

(3) Give them a hand up. As Peter pulled the man up, “immediately [his] feet and ankle bones received strength” (Acts 3:7). Because he’d been in the same condition for thirty-eight years, he needed help to get up. And there are people around you who need help to get up too. They need someone to pull them out of their despair and get them to Jesus, and God can use you to be that someone.