Be your neighbor’s best neighbor
This Summer of 2023, we are making a church-wide effort to intentionally love our neighbors in practical ways. Jesus has called us to be salt and light to those around us in our community (Matthew 5:13-14), and we want to do that well with no strings attached! Let’s move outside the walls of our church and care for the people God has placed near us with one goal in mind: to be our neighbor’s best neighbor.
For the past few weeks, Pastor Scott and Pastor John have been breaking down some biblical truth on what it looks like to show kindness to those around us . . . and now it’s time for us as a church to put it into action!
Starting this Sunday, you’ll see some maps go up on our walls in the North Auditorium of all the communities around our church, along with a display in our lobby. Our challenge is to stretch ourselves as a church body to reach out to those that live close to us, and show them the love of Jesus! We’re asking each person involved to place a sticker over their neighborhood, and as the summer goes on, we’re hoping to see our maps filled with stickers everywhere!
Jesus has called us to be salt and light to those around us in our community (Mat 5:13-14), and we want to do that well with no strings attached! Let’s move outside the walls of our church and care for the people God has placed near us with one goal in mind: to be our neighbor’s best neighbor.
Throughout the summer, we want to hear how it’s going! Use the form below to let us know how to celebrate with you, or how we can be praying!
What are some ways you can be your neighbor’s best neighbor? Here’s a few ideas to get you started!
host a block party – mow your neighbor’s lawn – invite them to a front porch barbecue – help them with their yard care – make a free lemonade stand – have a root beer float day – host a weekly dinner night – do an arts and crafts day – help with work projects – invite them over for a game night – organize a group dog walk – smile and wave when you see them – organize a neighborhood clean up – go disc golfing together – bring them coffee – do a book exchange – drop off a planter of flowers – offer items to them before donating them elsewhere – start a sports tournament (basketball, cornhole, or yard games) – host and outdoor movie night – invite them to go on a hike – offer to do their grocery shopping – go backyard camping together – sign up to do community service together – ask how you can be praying for them – keep an eye on their home while they’re out of town – offer to pet sit set up a front yard slip-and-slide – do a fourth of july fireworks display – host a popsicle night – host ice cream sundays – borrow something and give it back – do a prayer walk through your neighborhood – make them fresh baked goods – start a book club – invite them over for dessert – invite their kids to sports camp and offer to drive them – invite them the sit with you at church – wash their car – offer to pick up something for them when you are running errands – host a water balloon toss – organize a water gun fight – write encouraging messages with sidewalk chalk – invite them to the church movie night – teach a building workshop – offer free babysitting invite cesar the no-drama llama to visit your neighborhood – ask a single parent how you can help them – have coffee mornings with your neighbors – host a neighborhood garage sale – invite a widow or widower to join you for family outings – offer to walk their dog – write a note of encouragement or appreciation to them – give them flowers or vegetables from your garden – offer a ride to the airport – organize a puppy play date in your yard – create a neighborhood garden – offer to use your truck be your neighbor’s best neighbor
Key Verses for the Love Your Neighbor Challenge:
- Matthew 22:37-40 NIV
- 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’[c] 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’[d] 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
- Luke 10:25-37 NASB
- 25 And behold, a [a]lawyer stood up and put Him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” 26 And He said to him, “What is written in the Law? [b]How does it read to you?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God [c]with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.” 28 And He said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this and you will live.” 29 But wanting to justify himself, he said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?” 30 Jesus replied and said, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he encountered robbers, and they stripped him and [d]beat him, and went away leaving him half dead. 31 And by coincidence a priest was going down on that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 Likewise a Levite also, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan who was on a journey came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion, 34 and came to him and bandaged up his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them; and he put him on his own animal, and brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 On the next day he took out two [e]denarii and gave them to the innkeeper and said, ‘Take care of him; and whatever more you spend, when I return, I will repay you.’ 36 Which of these three do you think [f]proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell into the robbers’ hands?” 37 And he said, “The one who showed compassion to him.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go and do [g]the same.”
- Romans 15:1-3
- We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”[a]
- Acts 1:8
- But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
- Romans 10:14-15 NIV
- 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
- Matthew 5:13-16
- 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.