8/27-9/2 Overview

In their book The Art of Neighboring the authors share that, “the first step to taking the Great Commandment literally is to move from stranger to acquaintance in your relationships…Learning a person’s name is the first and easiest step you can take to become a better neighbor.” The Block Map is a helpful tool for remembering the names of those you meet, as well as writing down things you learn about them. It is important to remember that progressing beyond acquaintances into a growing relationship with neighbors is a gradual process of relatively small, consistent, interactions that accumulate over an extended period of time. During this fourth week of The Art of Neighboring all-church journey we are focusing on our relationships with our neighbors.

 

*If you do not have a Bible, consider downloading the YouVersion Bible App for free from the Apple App Store or Google Play for your smartphone or tablet. You can also use www.BibleGateway.com to look up and read various translations of Bible verses online for free.

 

Sunday (8/27)

READ 1 Corinthians 16:14 as a reminder to live the way and will of God:

“Let all that you do be done in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14 RSV

 

LISTEN to a hymn or praise song that helps you to worship the source of love.

 

READ John 13:34-35, Jesus’ message about how the world will know we are his disciples.

 

PRAY for the Art of Neighboring series using what is printed here, your own prayer, or a combination of the two:

 

Heavenly Father, we rejoice in you, the source of life and love.

Thank you for your son, Jesus. We are thankful for all that Christ

taught and did, including teaching us your will and ways.

We invite your Spirit to guide our church throughout

the Art of Neighboring journey in August and September.

We want to be more intentional about loving our neighbors,

including our sisters and brothers in Christ who are part of this congregation.

Help us to develop deeper genuine relationships with one another

so that we experience the true fellowship of being part of your family.

Help our church to live the commandment to love our neighbors

through our words and actions.

Let your love flow through us.

Let your kingdom come and your will be done

throughout Greater Hendricks County as it is in heaven.

In the name of God our Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit I pray. Amen.

 

DO

Worship: Join others as part of an Avon UMC worship service today either in person or online.

 

Book: Read chapters 7 and 9 of The Art of Neighboring before September 10th. Books are available within small groups & classes. Additional books are at the AUMC Welcome Desk near the Sanctuary.

 

Block Map: How many names of neighbors from the community God is guiding you to focus on during this series were you able to fill in on your Block Map? Remember that you can fill in the Block Map with the names of co-workers, the parents who are part of your child’s activity or sports group(s), a hobby group that you participate in weekly, or the people living next door to your home/apartment. The requirement on the community you choose is that it must be people you “rub elbows with” regularly.

 

Pray: Pray for the children, students, and shut-ins of the congregation, a well as sisters and brothers in Christ in need today.

 

Next Step: What small next step will you take today regarding “neighboring” within the church family? Will you intentionally introduce yourself, memorize another name, initiate a conversation, attend a group/class session, invite someone out for coffee or a meal, or something else?

 

 

Monday (8/28)

READ 1 Corinthians 16:14 to begin your devotional time:

“Let all that you do be done in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14 RSV

 

LISTEN to a hymn or praise song that helps you to worship our God.

 

READ 1 Kings 17:1-7, the story of the prophet Elijah delivering a message to King Ahab of Israel about a drought, then going to live near a brook where God provided for his needs for a while.

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the questions below. You may find it helpful to write your responses in a journal or notebook:

Droughts are reminders that there are times of lack and times of abundance.

Which season are you in right now in regards to free time? Drought or surplus, or somewhere between?

How would you describe the season you are in right now regarding resources?

A time of scarcity or abundance, or something in between the extremes?

How is the Lord providing food for you during this season of your life?

If you are in a season of abundance, how are you sharing what you have been given to help neighbors in need in the community?

 

DO

Today: Think about the ways that God is providing for your needs, including relationships, shelter, food, clothing, etc. Thank God throughout the day as these things come to mind. Look for opportunities to bless neighbors this week with your time, interactions, and/or resources.

 

Book: Remember to read chapters 7 and 9 from The Art of Neighboring before September 10th. If you have not read the previous chapters this week will be a good time to catch up.

 

Block Map: If you need a new one, maps are available within AUMC groups, at the Welcome Desk closest to the sanctuary, and online using the link below:

 

Pray: Thank God throughout the day for the many ways he provides for your needs and the needs of others within your household. Pray for neighbors in need throughout Greater Hendricks County, including the various forms of personal drought or scarcity that they might be experiencing.

 

Next Step: Seek to move forward with the small next step you are taking this week regarding “neighboring.” Will you intentionally introduce yourself to someone, memorize another name, initiate a conversations, invite someone out for coffee or a meal, or something else?

 

 

Tuesday (8/29)

READ 1 Corinthians 16:14 to seek to center your heart and mind in love.

 

MEDITATE on the verse from 1 Corinthians letting the message roll around in your mind for a minute or two before moving on the next verses for today.

 

READ 1 Kings 17:7-16, a story of the Lord miraculously providing for the prophet Elijah, as well as for a widow and her son.

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the questions below. Consider writing your responses in a journal or notebook.

The Lord sent Elijah among the Phoenician people who worshiped Baal, not the God of the Israelites. How would you describe the common culture of your neighbors, co-workers, or the community outside of the church you are practicing neighboring in? Does it seem to you that they are mostly Christians, or do they have other beliefs, or a combination of Christianity and other things?

How have you been welcomed into the community where you live?

Have you experienced God miraculously providing for you or others?

If so, what happened?

Who needs to hear your story?

 

DO

Today: Look for opportunities to offer hospitality to your neighbors, while also receiving it when it is given to you.

 

Pray: Pray asking the Lord to provide for the needs of our poorest neighbors in Greater Hendricks County. Lift up the needs of our congregation, your friends, family members, and yourself as well.

 

 

Wednesday (8/30)

READ 1 Corinthians 16:14 to begin your devotional time.

 

LISTEN to a hymn or praise song about God’s love, loving God, or loving others.

 

READ 1 Kings 17:17-24, a continuation of the story of Elijah with the widow and her son.

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the following question as a guide for journaling or a conversation with a family member or friend:

The widow blamed Elijah for the death of her son. Have you ever falsely blamed others for something they did not do? Have you ever been blamed for something you didn’t do? Why?

 

The Lord miraculously restored the boy’s life through Elijah. As Jesus’ followers, we too can help restore lives and help people to live by introducing them to the source of life, God Almighty. How do your words and actions reveal to others that you are a follower of Jesus?

 

DO

Today: Share the abundant life you have in Christ with those you are with today through your prayers, being present with them, giving, serving, and using your words as a witness of Christ when the opportunities arise.

 

Book: We are reading chapters 7 and 9 from The Art of Neighboring before September 10th. If you have not read the previous chapters this week is your opportunity to catch up.

 

Block Map: Do you have another name or more information about a “neighbor” that you can add to your Block Map?

 

Pray: Pray for the people you are with throughout the day, as well as for widows and widowers, single parents, and children in need.

 

Next Step: If you have not yet, seek to move forward with the small next step you are taking this week in regards to “neighboring”. Remember that neighboring relationships grow through intentional interactions over an extended period of time.

 

 

Thursday (8/31)

READ 1 Corinthians 16:14 to focus your heart and mind on love.

 

MEDITATE upon the verses from 1 Corinthians letting them roll around in your mind for a minute or two before moving on the next verses for today.

 

READ Luke 7:36-50, an account of Jesus forgiving a sinful woman.

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the following questions:

When do you struggle with seeing the sins of others, but you ignore or are blind to your own?

Knowing that through Jesus our sins are forgiven, how should you respond to our Savior?

Remembering that God through Christ forgave us, how should you respond to others when they sin against you? Why?

Who do you need to forgive today?

From whom do you need to ask for forgiveness today?

 

DO

Today: Offer all that you have and all that you are to Christ our Savior today through your prayers, presence, gifts, serving others, and using your words to bless and forgive the people Jesus died to save.

 

Block Map: Can you add additional names or information to the Block Map?

 

Pray thanking God for what he has done for us in and through Jesus. Confess your sins to God and ask for forgiveness. Ask the Lord to help you to forgive others. Pray for family members, friends, and neighbors who have not yet received the forgiveness Christ offers us.

 

Next Step: It is time to move forward with the small next step you are taking this week regarding “neighboring.”

 

 

Friday (9/1)

READ 1 Corinthians 16:14 to begin your time with the Lord.

 

LISTEN to a hymn or praise song.

 

READ Mark 6:7-13, the account of Jesus sending out the twelve disciples in pairs to go love their neighbors.

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the following questions:

Did you notice that the twelve were not sent out to invite people to a worship service or church building? Loving neighbors means being with them where they are. Are you spending time with your neighbors within the community the Holy Spirit is guiding you to focus on during this series?

 

Just as Jesus sent the twelve disciples in pairs, who is the fellow believer, or believers, the Holy Spirit has partnered you with and sent you out to love your neighbors? Consider talking with them about organizing a “Block Party.” An easy how-to-guide is available on the Art of Neighboring website using the link below:

 

In this account from Mark’s Gospel Jesus instructs the disciples to receive the hospitality they are given. We also need to be willing to receive hospitality from our neighbors when it is offered to us. When is the last time you were in the home of a neighbor? Why were you there? Is it time to invite them into your home/apartment?

 

DO

Today: Love your neighbors with your words and actions.

 

Book: Finish reading chapters 7 and 9 from The Art of Neighboring before September 10th. If you have not read the previous chapters you still have time to catch up.

 

Block Map: Who will you invite to a “Block Party” from the people listed on your Block Map?

 

Pray: Pray for the neighbors listed on your Block Map. Ask the Spirit of Christ to reveal which neighbor or neighbors you should invite to either come to your home/apartment or go out for a meal or coffee this fall to get to know one another better. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide you in partnering with another believer and other neighbors to organize a “Block Party” within the next twelve months.

 

Next Step: If you have not yet taken a step forward this past week,

go intentionally interact with a neighbor today or this weekend as a step forward in your relationship with them.

 

 

Saturday (9/2)

LIGHT a candle and LISTEN to a worship song or hymn before reading the verses for today as a way to prepare your heart, mind, body, and soul for observing the Sabbath. The Sabbath is a day each week that is set apart from the others to stop, rest, worship, and delight in the Lord and what he has given us.

 

READ Hebrews 3:7-4:11. The verses include a warning for Christians using the story of the unbelief and lack of trust the Israelites had in God as they wandered through the wilderness for forty years before the younger generation entered the Promised Land. The verses are also a reminder to us of the rest for the people of God on the Sabbath that is still available today. Our Sabbath themes for this weekend are “STOP and REST.”

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the following questions:

When are times you have struggled with trusting God? Why?

 

What causes you to struggle with receiving the rest available as part of observing a weekly Sabbath?

 

What do you need to stop doing today, or this weekend, so that you can rest from all of your doing, striving, worrying, and working?

 

How is observing the Sabbath an act of obedience and an expression of trust in the Lord?

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, or thirty minutes alone with God seeking to rest in the peace that can only be found in and from the Lord. If you struggle to stop and rest, consider laying down, kneeling, or sitting on a very comfortable chair or seat. You may also find it peaceful to go for a leisurely walk. If you need a nap, then sleep so that your mind and body receive the rest that you need.

 

PRAY the following based on 1 Corinthians 16:14 and Hebrews 4:

Lord, all that you do is done in love,

because you are love.

I want to follow your example and love you by worshiping

and serving you, Savior and Sustainer.

I want to follow your example and rest each week,

including this weekend.

I need what you provide,

including rest for my body, mind, heart, and soul.

My desire is to love my family members, friends, neighbors,

and all the people I encounter.

Love them through me,

using my mouth to share your messages,

and my body to bring forth blessings.

Guide me so that all that I do is done in love.

Father, Son, and Spirit of the living God,

I am yours and you are mine. Amen.

 

 

TIME of REFLECTION during the afternoon or evening. You could do this by writing your responses in a journal or notebook or talking to a family member or friend.

How will observing the Sabbath help you to be a better neighbor?

 

What steps were you able to take regarding “neighboring” this past week?

 

What stands out to you from what you read from the book, the Bible verses, or from your experiences with seeking to love your neighbors this past week?

 

PRAY in response to God at the end of the day, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide your prayer.