**WEBPAGE UNDER CONSTRUCTION**
GETTING STARTED:
“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”
Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” -Matthew 22:36-40 NLT |
--- What if we got better at the two things Jesus said matter most? ---
The Good News is that WE CAN!
God’s call to love our neighbors can feel overwhelming.
The truth is, it doesn’t have to be complicated.
BLESS 5 is a simple way to begin the practice of neighboring with your five closest neighbors.
“I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.” ~ Genesis 12:2 NIV
Just as God blessed Abraham and called him to be a blessing to to others, we too are called as followers of Christ to be a blessing to our neighbors.
Paul tells the believers in Ephesus, "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (2:10)
HOW TO GET STARTED:
2. LEARN THEIR NAMES
Use the graphic above to fill out the names, occupations, hobbies, and interests of your neighbors. It starts with names. Don’t underestimate the power of a name. “Hi, Bob!” is so much better than, “Hey, buddy!”
3. ENGAGE IN CONVERSATIONS
Even casual conversation with a neighbor can start to build a relational bridge. You are not called towin your neighbor. You are called to love your neighbor.
4. SEEK TO BE INTENTIONAL
Go for walks in the neighborhood. Grill out in the front yard. Sit on the front porch. Play in the front yard. Get your mail when your neighbor does. Learn to walk across the lawn or driveway on purpose.
Learn the story of your neighbor and share yours. Where did you grow up? Where have you lived? Where have you worked? What are your favorite hobbies?
God’s call to love our neighbors can feel overwhelming.
The truth is, it doesn’t have to be complicated.
BLESS 5 is a simple way to begin the practice of neighboring with your five closest neighbors.
“I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing.” ~ Genesis 12:2 NIV
Just as God blessed Abraham and called him to be a blessing to to others, we too are called as followers of Christ to be a blessing to our neighbors.
Paul tells the believers in Ephesus, "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (2:10)
HOW TO GET STARTED:
2. LEARN THEIR NAMES
Use the graphic above to fill out the names, occupations, hobbies, and interests of your neighbors. It starts with names. Don’t underestimate the power of a name. “Hi, Bob!” is so much better than, “Hey, buddy!”
3. ENGAGE IN CONVERSATIONS
Even casual conversation with a neighbor can start to build a relational bridge. You are not called towin your neighbor. You are called to love your neighbor.
4. SEEK TO BE INTENTIONAL
Go for walks in the neighborhood. Grill out in the front yard. Sit on the front porch. Play in the front yard. Get your mail when your neighbor does. Learn to walk across the lawn or driveway on purpose.
- A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal.” Steve Maraboli
Learn the story of your neighbor and share yours. Where did you grow up? Where have you lived? Where have you worked? What are your favorite hobbies?
Begin in Prayer:This is where it all starts! Just start praying for the people that live around you, regularly, and by name. Ask God to give you his heart for the people he has placed near you. Ask him to help you see them as he sees them.
Don't know their names? That's ok! Pray4EveryHome.com is a free service that you can use to easily organize who to pray for and how to pray for them... it even tells you their names! |
Learn their names.
Engage in Conversations.
Seek to be intentional.
Share your stories.
NEIGHBORING RESOURCES:
Neighborhood ToolkitB.L.E.S.S. Five CardsNational Night Out |
Say YES to NeighboringJoin Nextdoor.comWatch Godspeed |
Live - Work - PlayAttend the CollectivePostcard Project |