This weekend, our church talked about living out life In Christ in our Neighborhood’s and with those in close proximity. Get the message audio and follow up guide HERE.

A couple of years ago I read one of the most challenging and informative books on this subject called The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door. Here’s a few great quotes from the book that should get you thinking about how to live out your faith in your neighborhood:

• “The majority of the issues that our community is facing would be eliminated or drastically reduced if we could just figure out a way to become a community of great neighbors.” – local small town mayor 
• We are often moving too fast to notice that those who are right around us need a good neighbor.
• To love someone, it helps to actually know their name.
• It’s vital to take a step back and ask ourselves if we live at a pace that allows us to be available to those who live around us.
• In this life, we can only do a few things really well; I think it’s a good idea to make certain that one of those things is what Jesus says is most important.
• Love and hurry are fundamentally incompatible. Love always takes time, and time is the one thing hurried people don’t have.
• If you don’t set your priorities, others will do it for you.
• God is already working in your neighborhood. Being a good neighbor simply means slowing down and being aware of what he is designing.
• Jesus didn’t tell us to become acquaintances with our neighbors; he called us to love them, and that means we need to have an actual relationship with them.
• We don’t love our neighbors to convert them; we love our neighbors because we’re converted.
• If we live out the Great Commandment, an environment is created where the Great Commission can be effectively obeyed.
• Good neighboring – you walk alongside those in need and help them find their way.
• Behind every door is a story.

Questions:

• What would happen if every Christ-follower made it a point to know and befriend their literal neighbors?
• Do I live at a pace that allows me to be available to those around me? And if not, are all of those things I’m doing more important than taking the Great Commandment literally?
• What are the activities you most enjoy doing, and how might they become tools for building relationships with your neighbors?
• Which of your neighbors do you feel God calling you to spend more time with?

Find some great resources that go with the book at ArtofNeighboring.com.