Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it:
‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ - Matthew 22:37-39
What if Jesus meant our actual neighbors?
When Jesus was asked to sum up everything into one command, he said to love God with everything we have and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Most of us have turned this simple idea of loving our neighbors into a nice saying then going on with our lives without actually putting it into practice. We accept the fact that everyone is our neighbor (and they are) while ignoring caring for our actual neighbors.
What would happen if every follower of Jesus took the Great Commandment literally? Is it possible that many of the problems that our neighborhoods face could be resolved with good neighboring?
How can I be a great neighbor?
The way to become a better neighbor is by learning to take a series of small steps in the same direction. You won’t become the kind of neighbor you want to be thinking really hard about it. You'll only become a great neighbor by following the bread crumbs and taking small steps that lead you into a new way of living. In order to become a good neighbor, we must move beyond knowing and start doing.
STEP ONE: Meet your neighbors
The first and most important step is to learn, retain, and use the names of your literal neighbors.
1. Write the names of your neighbors by listing out the names of the adults and children of the 8 closest houses or apartment units next to you and pay attention to the blank spaces. Take a second and identify each of the neighbors and decide if they are a stranger, acquaintance, or relationship.
Download HERE
2. Identify one neighbor that you are going to pray for over the next week.
3. Take a next step that you feel God is calling you to take in the next 7 days (i.e. Learn a specific neighbor's name ~Invite a couple over for dinner ~Ask a neighbor for advice on how to take care of your lawn because their's is nicer)
STEP TWO: B.L.E.S.S My Neighbor
From the beginning, God’s strategy for reaching the world has been through blessing. God has blessed us so we can bless others.
How do I start BLESSing my neighbor? It’s simple! Begin by praying for them. Listen to them. Eat a meal with them. Find a way to Serve them. Share your Story with them. For more information click HERE
STEP THREE: THROW A BLOCK PARTY
A NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCK PARTY IS THE OPPORTUNITY FOR NEIGHBORS TO GET TOGETHER, MEET EACH OTHER, HAVE FUN, AND MAYBE WORK TOGETHER ON A COMMON ACTIVITY.
Download our guide to throwing a block party HERE. Share with us your block party idea and The Well will donate $100 towards your block party!