8/20-8/26 Overview

According to the authors of The Art of Neighboring: Building Genuine Relationships Right Outside Your Door, “the number-one obstacle to neighboring well is time.” Jay Pathak and Dave Runyon also write that another “obstacle to neighboring in our culture today” is “fear.” Thankfully, we can overcome these barriers through intentionality and the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit. During this third week of The Art of Neighboring all-church series, we are invited to utilize time and overcome fear to love our neighbors as we love ourselves (Galatians 5:14).

 

*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 (8/20)

READ 1 John 4:18 to center yourself in God’s perfect love:

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…” – 1 John 4:18 NRSV

 

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

 

READ Galatians 5:14, the apostle Paul’s summary of the Law of Moses. How does this one commandment summarize 613 commandments from the Old Testament?

 

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 5, 6, and 8 of The Art of Neighboring this week. Books are available within small groups & classes. Additional books are at the AUMC Welcome Desk near the Sanctuary.

 

Block Map: If you didn’t do it last week, fill in a block map today with the names of neighbors from the community God is guiding you to focus on during this series. You could 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 others from the congregation today and throughout this week. You are also invited to pray for a “neighbor” from the community you are focusing on during the remaining weeks of the series. You may want to circle their name(s) on your Block Map as a reminder.

 

Next Step: What small next step will you take this week regarding “neighboring”? Will you intentionally introduce yourself, memorize another name, initiate a conversations, invite someone out for coffee or a meal, or something else?

 

 

Monday (8/21)

READ 1 John 4:18 to begin your devotional time:

“There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear…” – 1 John 4:18 NRSV

 

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

 

READ Luke 10:38-42, the story about Jesus and the disciples at the home of Martha and Mary.

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the following questions:

Which of the people in the story do you identify with the most? Mary, Martha, Jesus, or the disciples? Why?

What distracts do you experience when you have the opportunity to be with others?

When is it better to stop and be with people instead of continuing to work? Why?

What distracts you from listening to Jesus? Why?

 

DO

Today: Seek to be as fully present with Jesus as you are able during this time. Throughout the day set aside distractions, including your smartphone, to be as present with the people you have the opportunities to be with, listening to whatever they say, then responding as needed.

 

Book: Remember to read chapters 5, 6 and 8 from The Art of Neighboring this week.

 

Block Map: Fill in a block map today, if you did not do it yesterday or last week, with the names of neighbors from the community God is guiding you to focus on during this series. You could 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. If you need one, maps are available within AUMC groups, at the Welcome Desk closest to the sanctuary, and online using the link below:

 

Pray: Pray for others from the church, either a person or people from your Art of Neighboring group/class, or a person, couple, or family from the congregation. Also, pray for one person, couple, or family on your Block Map of the community your are practicing neighboring with during this series.

 

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

 

 

Tuesday (8/22)

READ 1 John 4:18 to seek to center your heart and mind in God.

 

MEDITATE on the verse from 1 John 4 letting the message roll around in your mind for a minute or two before moving on to the next verses for today.

 

READ Luke 5:27-32, the account of Jesus inviting Levi/Matthew to become his disciple.

 

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

Where did Jesus go to interact with Levi initially?

How did Levi respond to Jesus?

What does Jesus’ example for us in this account reveal about how we should interact with our neighbors?

 

DO

Today: Go to a neighbor to interact with them either today or when the opportunity arises later this week. Don’t let fear or a busy schedule prevent you from taking a small step forward in “neighboring” as you follow Jesus’ example.

 

Pray: Pray for others from Avon UMC, either a fellow group/class member or someone from the congregation. Also, pray for a different neighbor today than you did yesterday from the community you chose that is listed on your Block Map.

 

 

Wednesday (8/23)

READ 1 John 4:18 to begin your devotional time.

 

LISTEN to a hymn or praise song that helps you to remember that we are not people of fear, but people of faith and love.

 

READ John 6:1-13, the account of Jesus feeding more than five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish. The food needed to feed the crowd of thousands of people seemed greater than the resources the disciples had. Yet Jesus blessed, used, and multiplied the loaves and fish making them more than enough.

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the following questions:

What do you perceive as “not enough” in regard to your own life and taking steps towards intentional “neighboring”? Is it your free time, personality,

Biblical knowledge, confidence, finances, or something else?

 

Knowing that Jesus was able to use five loaves of bread and a couple of fish to feed thousands of people, what can Christ do with what you give, even if it feels like “not enough”?

 

DO

Today: Offer Jesus what you have with confidence that it is more than enough in the hands of Christ. Seek to bless others through your prayers, being present with them, gifts you give, serving humbly, and being a witness of Christ today and when the opportunities arise.

 

Book: We are reading chapters 5, 6 and 8 from The Art of Neighboring this week.

 

Block Map: Do you have another name of a “neighbor” that you can add to your Block Map?

 

Pray: Pray for others from Avon UMC, either a fellow group/class member or someone from the congregation. Also, pray for a different neighbor today than you did yesterday from the community you chose that is listed on your Block Map.

Next Step: If you have not yet, seek to move forward with the small next step you are taking this week regarding “neighboring”.

 

 

Thursday (8/24)

READ 1 John 4:18 to focus your heart and mind on “neighboring”.

 

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

 

READ 1 Peter 3:13-16, a message about doing good, suffering, and fear.

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the following questions:

Have you ever suffered for doing the right thing? Why?

What causes you to feel afraid?

If you are a person of faith in Christ, what is the reason you have hope in the midst of suffering and the brokenness of the world? Read 1 Peter 1:3-9 as a reminder of our living hope.

 

LISTEN to the praise song “Living Hope” by Bethel Music (Brian & Jenn Johnson) using a streaming service or the link below for the Youtube lyrics video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9l7lIisdyMk

 

DO

Today: Continue doing good for others, being a blessing to your family members, friends, and neighbors through your words and actions.

 

Block Map: Add additional names to the Block Map when you know them.

 

Pray: Thank God for…

• our living hope in Christ Jesus
• the gift of family
• the blessing of friendships
• the fellowship of the church
• your neighbors

 

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

 

 

Friday (8/25)

READ 1 John 4:18 to begin your time with the Lord.

 

LISTEN to a hymn or praise song.

 

READ 2 Timothy 1:7, a reminder from the apostle Paul that God’s Spirit that dwells in and with believers is not a source of timidity and fear. Because of the Spirit of Christ in us, we can overcome barriers to love our neighbors as Jesus loves us.

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the following questions:

What are the characteristics of the Spirit of God as described in verse 7?

 

Timothy may have lacked confidence, so Paul reminded him of the gift of God’s Spirit in him. In what ways do you struggle with a lack of confidence in regard to “neighboring”? Why?

 

DO

Today: If you are struggling with fear, timidity, or a lack of confidence, write 2 Timothy 1:7 on a Post It note and place it somewhere you will see the verse every day as a reminder of God’s Spirit in you.

 

Book: Finish reading chapters 5, 6, and 8 from The Art of Neighboring before Sunday.

 

Block Map: Were you able to add a name or information to your Block Map this past week? If not, why?

 

Pray: Invite the Holy Spirit to help you and fellow believers to overcome the barriers that prevent us from developing growing relationships with neighbors. Ask the Spirit of Christ to guide the congregation to live and embody the virtues of Christ among our neighbors, including humility, compassion, forgivingness, and love.

 

Next Step: If you have not yet, stop relying upon excuses and move forward with the small next step you are taking this week in regards to “neighboring”.

 

 

Saturday (8/26)

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. You may need to incrementally observe the Sabbath by setting aside an increasing portion of a day each week beginning with an hour, then increasing it to multiple hours or part of a day the next weekend or month, and eventually designating an entire day for remembering and observing the Sabbath.

 

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.

 

READ Philippians 4:4-7, verses about rejoicing in the Lord, thanking God, offering requests to our heavenly Father in prayer, and peace that passes understanding. Our Sabbath theme for today is “delight.”

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the following questions:

How will you rejoice in the Lord today?

Why is it important to remember that “the Lord is near” (v. 5b)?

What are some things that are causing you to be anxious?

Have you given your petitions and requests to God in prayer in regard to what is causing you to feel anxious? If not, why?

What are you thankful for today?

 

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 using the following as a guide, which you may find helpful to write in a journal or notebook:

• My reasons to rejoice today are…
• I know that you are near, Lord, …
• I am anxious about…
• Thank you, Lord, for…
• My requests are…
• Dear God, let your peace fill my heart, mind, and life.

 

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 does 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 the following at the end of the day based on Philippians 4 and 1 John 4:18:

Lord, I rejoice in you, the source of life, abundant blessings, and joy!

Your Spirit is with me, and I am grateful to have you as close

as the breathe in my lungs.

I do not want to be anxious about anything,

but instead I want to offer my concerns and requests to you,

the God who listens when I pray.

You know what I need even before a word comes from my mouth.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

Let your peace guard my heart, mind, and soul.

Yes, your peace that passes all understanding,

and your perfect love that casts out fear and anxiousness.

May others experience your peace and love in me and through me

whenever we interact with one another.

I want your Spirit to continue to fill me and form me

so that I grow and mature towards living and loving like Christ.

Again, I rejoice in you and your perfect love,

Father, Son, and Spirit of the living God!

Amen.