Main Idea: Christians can learn what it means to be a good neighbor to the people living nearest to us.

Head Change: To know God’s expectations for us in serving and loving our neighbors.

Heart Change: To feel the desire for connection with the families next door.

Life Change: To commit to regular engagement with the people next door by taking the Great Commandment seriously.

Describe an interesting or memorable interaction you’ve had with someone in your neighborhood that was unexpected. What were the circumstances of this interaction? What kind of relationship was formed after this interaction?

Let’s do this! Learn the names of the nearest neighbors around you. Find out how they are doing and if there is anything you can do to help or ask others to join you in helping someone. Write down the names on a tic-tac-toe drawing and put it up on your fridge! Pray for them!

God is speaking to all of us right now! We live in a building with 40 units and we have cleaning people that come twice a week. I have befriended them, learned their names, prayed for them and brought them a treat for Christmas. Recently, they told me that I am the only one in the building that talks to them. No kidding. Seems like such a small thing but it can have great impact.

I’ve done the same with the mail person who comes and she says, “Keep the positive vibes coming'”

I try to compliment people who deliver stuff and thank them for what they do. Also if I catch people being kind, I thank them for it. I try to find ways to meet my neighbors and even went to a party for the dogs in the snow in our front yard which is fenced in the other day just to meet people. This is with one foot of snow on the ground – so you can do it too – praying for you and would love to hear your stories in the comments!

Check out the book, The Art of Neighboring and download the notes. There’s a four week series you can do with a small group on http://rightnowmedia.org