Published September 3, 2014 by in
“AND YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH.’ THE SECOND IS THIS, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ THERE IS NO OTHER COMMANDMENT GREATER THAN THESE.”
– MARK 12:30-31
We know these verses, right? We’ve heard this GREATEST commandment a thousand times, but how many times have we truly considered the question, “How do I LOVE my neighbor, if I don’t KNOW my neighbor?” Every great relationship has a beginning… “Hi, my name is…”
In keeping with the challenge our pastor has given to us, we want to encourage you to GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBOR. The end is simple. It’s the beginning that can be difficult. There are things we actually have to DO so that we can KNOW and begin to LOVE our neighbors. Here are a few simple ways to get to know your NEIGHBORS this month:
- Host a “FRONT YARD” BBQ and invite your neighbors
- Take a walk through your neighborhood at the same time 2-3 times each week this month
- Make a batch of freshly squeezed lemonade and deliver to neighbors you know
- Play a game of flag football with your kids in the FRONT yard
- Invite ONE neighbor to a church event
These are just simple ideas to get you started this fall. If none of these ideas help you, then just do something! Take our pastor’s challenge and take this scripture literally. Who is your neighbor? Do you know your neighbor? Do you love your neighbor?