Neighbor Groups: Empower Communities Sample

A Simple Question

Let’s go back to the gift example from yesterday. You had great intentions, but the gift had a negative impact. What went wrong? 

Well, you started off on the right track. You heard your friend complaining about their phone, so you sympathetically nodded and started plotting how you could fix it. 

The problem is that you skipped some steps. Instead of asking them what solutions they were thinking about or asking how you could help, you assumed you knew what they needed. 

You went in like a reckless reporter, believing you knew the issue without taking the time to investigate. Instead, what if we took the approach of a curious correspondent—spending the time asking the right questions and supporting them as they ideate their own solutions? 

The thing is, curiosity invites conversation and invokes compassion. But offering solutions can sometimes shut down collaboration before it even starts. 

When it comes to helping others or serving our communities, we’re often tempted to swoop in and solve problems without first getting to know people. And if we don’t know the people involved, we may assume there’s a problem that doesn’t even exist.  

As a result, we can end up providing services or support that not only isn’t helpful—it can actually be harmful. 

Jesus took a different approach. He not only healed people—He empowered them. We see an example of this in Mark 10 when Jesus heals a blind man named Bartimaeus. Jesus would have known exactly what the man needed, but when He sees Him, He takes the time to ask: 

“What do you want me to do for you?” … Mark 10:51 NIV

What a dignifying question! In that interaction, Jesus allowed Bartimaeus to build his faith and take ownership of his future. 

And we’re called to empower others in the same way. Instead of leading with our answers, let’s be curious enough to start conversations. When we do, we’ll realize that often our greatest contributions aren’t our solutions. It’s our humility, our empathy, and our willingness to listen to others who have more information. 

Pray: God, thank You for the way You see me and empower me. Help me love and empower others in the same way. Give me greater humility, empathy, and curiosity. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Challenge: Think about a time when someone gave you a solution to a problem you didn’t think you had. What thoughts and feelings came up? Now, think of a time when someone empowered you to solve a problem for yourself. How would you compare those experiences?