9/10-9/16 Overview

Through ongoing interactions with neighbors over extended periods of time, we will eventually experience and enter into the messiness of the lives of others as we develop relationships with them. In The Art of Neighboring book, Jay and Dave remind us that often Jesus “didn’t help people in the way they wanted to be helped.” Loving our neighbor includes setting clear boundaries, and sometimes we have to say “no.” During this fifth week of The Art of Neighboring all-church journey we are focusing on our motives and setting boundaries with our neighbors. Thankfully, the authors ensure us that, “if neighboring is done with the right posture, then people who don’t know God will most certainly come to know him.”

 

*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 (9/10)

READ Matthew 7:12, Jesus’ summary of the laws of God:

“Do for others what you want them to do for you.

This is the teaching of the laws of Moses in a nutshell.” – Matthew 7:12 TLB

 

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

 

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 through

the final weeks of the Art of Neighboring journey.

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 10, 11, and 12 of The Art of Neighboring before next Sunday. Books are available 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 are filled 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 your sisters and brothers in Christ who are part of Avon UMC, churches throughout Greater Hendricks County, as well as Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, and Protestant Christians throughout the world.

 

Next Step: What small next step will you take today regarding “neighboring” within the church family to do for others what you want them to do for you?

Will you intentionally introduce yourself, memorize a name, initiate a conversations, attend a group/class session, invite someone out for coffee or a meal, or something else?

 

 

Monday (9/11)

READ Matthew 7:12 to begin your devotional time:

“Do for others what you want them to do for you.

This is the teaching of the laws of Moses in a nutshell.” – Matthew 7:12 TLB

 

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

 

READ Matthew 4:18-20, the account of when Jesus invited fishermen to become his disciples/apprentices.

 

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

According to verse 20 what did the fishermen do in response to Jesus’ invitation?

What is required to go fishing for people?

How have you responded to Jesus’ invitation to follow him and learn to fish for people?

Which is easier or more comfortable for you, following Jesus or fishing for people? Why?

 

DO

Today: Seek to be as present with Christ and as mindful of Jesus as possible today as his follower. Also, seek to take a step forward in fishing for people by going where they are and learning things about them.

 

Book: Remember to read chapters 10, 11, and 12 from The Art of Neighboring before next Sunday.

 

Block Map: If you need a new one, maps are available at the Welcome Desk closest to the Sanctuary, as well as online using the link below:

 

Pray: Ask the Holy Spirit to help you to walk closely with Christ throughout the day. Pray for the Lord to reveal what your next steps need to be regarding “neighboring” and fishing for people.

 

Next Step: Seek to move forward with the small next step you are taking this week regarding “neighboring” and fishing for people. 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 (9/12)

READ Matthew 7:12, the Golden Rule.

 

MEDITATE on Jesus’ message from Matthew 7 letting the verse roll around in your mind for a minute or two before moving on to the next verses for today.

 

READ Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus’ message about who we are and how we should live.

 

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

What did the sun, moon, and stars help people in Biblical times do?

In what ways do Christians help people to see when they are living in the dark regarding knowing God through Christ?

Why is it important for your family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to see and experience your good deeds?

 

DO

Today: Look for opportunities to do good deeds today for people who know you and those who do not. Try to bless someone or a group of people during the morning, someone else or others during the afternoon, and someone else or other people during the evening/night.

 

Pray: Invite the Holy Spirit to reveal the opportunities you have for doing good deeds today. Pray that the people of the world will see the light of Christ shining through the deeds of Christians this week.

 

 

Wednesday (9/13)

READ Matthew 7:12 to begin your devotional time.

 

LISTEN to a hymn or praise song that helps you to focus on Jesus.

 

READ Matthew 28:18-20, the resurrected Jesus’ Great Commission given to the disciples and all believers.

 

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

What does Jesus claim about his authority in verse 18?

What does Jesus say his apprentices should do in verses 19 and the beginning of verse 20?

When we “go” into the communities where our lives are connected, among family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors, we go representing Jesus.

How does that make you feel?

How does living the Golden Rule help us to teach others to be obedient disciples of Christ?

What is Jesus’ message of assurance that is the concluding sentence of the Great Commission?

How does Jesus’ message of assurance make you feel?

 

DO

Today: Live the Golden Rule with everyone you are with today through your prayers, being present with them as you strive to be a good listener, giving generously, humbly serving, and using your words to invite, encourage, or teach when the opportunities arise.

 

Book: We are finishing the book by reading chapters 10, 11, and 12 from The Art of Neighboring before Sunday.

 

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

 

Pray: Pray for the people you are with, or have been with, throughout the day. Pray to the God of grace for your family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors who have not yet placed their trust in Jesus, or perhaps they have wandered away from the Lord.

 

Next Step: Look for an opportunity to be present with a “neighbor” today. Listen to them and help them if your help is needed. Remember that neighboring relationships grow through intentional interactions over an extended period of time.

 

 

Thursday (9/14)

READ Matthew 7:12 to focus on loving others through your words and actions.

 

MEDITATE on Jesus’ message from Matthew 7 letting the verse roll around in your mind for a minute or two before moving on to the next verses for today.

 

READ John 9:1-11, Jesus healing a blind man.

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the following questions:

How has the work of God been displayed within your life?

What did Jesus do and say as part of healing the man in verses 6 & 7?

Re-read the simple, yet powerful, testimonial of the man born blind in verse 11.

What was your life like before encountering Christ or before becoming a devoted follower?

When and how did you encounter Jesus in a way that changed your life?

How is your life different either after the miraculous thing Christ did for you or after you became a committed disciple?

Who needs to hear your story?

 

DO

Today: Seek to know your own Jesus story or to learn someone else’s story.

 

Block Map: Can you add additional names or information to your Block Map(s)?

 

Pray, thanking God for…

• the stories about Jesus recorded and preserved within the New Testament documents, including the four gospels

• the healing power of the Lord
• the miraculous works he has done in your life and family

 

Next Step: It is time to move forward with the small next step you are taking this week regarding “neighboring.” You may have to make yourself do it if you have not yet.

 

 

Friday (9/15)

READ Matthew 7:12 to begin your time with the Lord.

 

LISTEN to a hymn or praise song.

 

READ 1 Thessalonians 2:8, the apostle Paul’s message to the Christians in Thessalonica on behalf of him, Silas, and Timothy.

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verse using the following questions:

Who are some of the first people who shared the gospel message with you?

When did you first believe it?

Who are the believers that shared their life with you much like what Paul is referring to in this verse?

If you had the opportunity to share the gospel message with someone, what would you say? How would you summarize it briefly?

You can read one of the ways the apostle Paul summarized the gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.

How can sharing our lives with “neighbors” help them to become receptive to hearing God’s Good News?

 

DO

Today: Look for opportunities to share your life with those who are so dear to you, including family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.

 

Book: Finish reading the book, chapters 10, 11 and 12 from The Art of Neighboring before Sunday.

 

Block Map: How can your “Block Map” be used to help you to be intentional about sharing your life with others? Who are the people on your Block Map who might be interested in helping you to organize and host a “Block Party“ during the next 3 to 12 months?

 

Pray: Pray for your family members, closest friends, co-workers, and neighbors listed on your Block Map(s). 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 (9/16)

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 Micah 7:18-20, the conclusion of the prophet’s prayer. Our Sabbath theme for this weekend is DELIGHT.

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the following comments and questions:

Our God pardons and forgives sins and transgressions. How does that make you feel?

How have you experienced God’s mercy?

How is God’s compassion revealed through Jesus?

How have you seen or experienced the virtues of compassion and forgiveness being lived in and through the people of AUMC?

 

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 in response to the Lord letting the Holy Spirit guide your prayer.

 

 

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 in response to the Lord at the end of the day using the prayer below based on Micah 7, your own prayer, or a combination of the two:

Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd.

Lead us, guide us, and protect us.

Who is like you, Lord?

You who pardon sin and forgive the transgressions of your people.

Your anger is temporary, and you delight in showing mercy.

You are a God of compassion.

During our times of need, we trust that we will experience

your compassion yet again.

Tread our sins underneath your feet,

and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

Remember them no more,

God of love, hope, grace, and forgiveness.

You are faithful and true.

Help us to live as faithful apprentices of Jesus,

as your obedient servants,

and as the sheep of your flock,

loving you and our neighbors.

In the name of the Father, Son, and Spirit I pray. Amen.