The Art Of Neighboring: Week OneSample

Over the past six days we have learned more about God’s command to love our neighbor. In his typical expansive, generous way, Jesus reframed the question “Who is my neighbor?” to be “How can I be a good neighbor?” We’ve learned that our love for others comes directly from the character of God. Jesus knew this love of God better than anyone, so he is our best source for understanding why and how and who we should love. Jesus expected his disciples to embody God’s love so that others would be drawn to praise God. Today we’ll learn how God places us in specific times and places for his specific purposes. And that he intends people from every background to find his love.

Pray

Our great God: Thank you for your providence, which oversees every detail of our lives and causes every event to work for your purposes. 

Read

The apostle Paul preaches to a group of sophisticated Greeks who are intrigued by the message Paul brings to their city. Paul tells them that what they’re looking for is the God who created the world and everything in it.

Acts 17:26-28

Reflect

Think of the people who live on your street or in your neighborhood. Think of the people you interact with at work, or at the gym, or in the grocery store. Do they know the God who created them? Do they know about the way Jesus reigns over the whole world—even over death itself? What if God has placed you in your specific location so that you can help others find him?

Respond

How can you do something loving towards one of your “neighbors” who doesn’t know God?