9/17-9/23 Overview

Welcome to the final week of The Art of Neighboring all-church journey. The daily devotionals throughout this week will guide us to focus on the power of love, forgiveness, our ministry of reconciliation, living at peace with others if possible, loving our enemies, that we are sent with ministry partners as ambassadors of Christ, and the people who are part of our inner circles, then we’ll conclude the week with an emphasis on God’s Sabbath. The authors of the book remind us that “this is a journey that doesn’t end.” For Avon UMC, this is just the beginning of a new chapter of being more intentional about “neighboring.” In the final chapter of the book, authors Jay and Dave go on to explain that “good neighboring matters” and “it works better than any program, and it works better than any government initiative.” When the people of the Church prioritize loving God and loving our neighbors, God’s kingdom is among us and his will is done here as it is in heaven. Lives are transformed through the love of God. We have daily opportunities to share the love of God that we have received by offering it to our neighbors here in the community where God has placed us and among the people in our circles of influence. Yes, we have been entrusted by the ultimate artist, our Creator, to partner with him in this ongoing art of loving, living, and neighboring.

 

*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 (9/17)

READ 1 Peter 4:8 to begin your devotional time:

“Above all, maintain constant love of one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8 NRSV

 

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

 

PRAY for the final week of 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 week 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.

 

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: 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 in regards to “neighboring” within the church family to offer God’s love to others through your words and deeds? Will you intentionally introduce yourself, memorize a name, initiate a conversation, attend a group/class session, invite someone out for coffee or a meal, or something else?

 

 

Monday (9/18)

READ 1 Peter 4:8 to begin your devotional time:

“Above all, maintain constant love of one another, for love covers a multitude of sins.” – 1 Peter 4:8 NRSV

 

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

 

READ 2 Corinthians 5:14-6:2, an uplifting message from the apostle Paul about forgiveness, reconciliation with God, and the ministry of reconciliation.

 

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

What does verse 15 reveal that Paul believes regarding our lives?

How have you experienced being “a new creation” in Christ?

What do verses 18 through 20 reveal about what we are supposed to do as people who are reconciled to God through Jesus?

What does it mean to you knowing that you have been saved from your sins and eternal separation from God through faith in Christ?

 

DO

Today: Offer God’s grace and love to others today through your words and actions. Those of us who have been reconciled with God through faith in Christ have been given the ministry of reconciliation.

 

Block Map: If you need a new one, maps are available online using the link below:

 

Pray: Ask the Lord to help you to receive his grace and love today, as well as to let it flow through you to others.

 

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 conversation, invite someone out for coffee or a meal, or something else?

 

 

Tuesday (9/19)

READ 1 Peter 4:8, a reminder of the power of love.

 

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

 

READ Romans 12:17-21, God’s message for us for today through the apostle Paul.

 

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

What is your natural reaction when someone does something mean or evil to you, your family members, or friends?

Have you ever tried to “take revenge” from someone who harmed you?

What was the outcome?

What does verse 20 reveal about what God expects us to do to our “enemies”?

When is a time in your life, or within human history, when evil was overcome through good?

What part do you play in living at peace with others?

 

DO

Today: Look for opportunities to do good deeds throughout the day. 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 for the people you are with throughout the day.

 

 

Wednesday (9/20)

READ 1 Peter 4:8 to begin your devotional time.

 

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

 

READ Matthew 5:43-48, of portion of Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount when he teaches about loving our enemies.

 

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

Who are your persecutors, or the people you perceive as an enemy?

Have you prayed for them? Why or why not?

How does loving our neighbors apply to loving our enemies?

Is it possible to “be perfect” regarding loving people? Why or why not?

 

DO

Today: Do something kind for someone you don’t like, or someone who doesn’t like you. Pray for your enemies and those who persecute you as well.

 

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 your enemies, the people who persecute you, your family members, friends, or fellow Christians, and ask God to reveal what good deed you should do today for the person who either doesn’t like you or you don’t like them.

 

 

Thursday (9/21)

READ 1 Peter 4:8 to focus on the power of love.

 

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

 

READ Luke 10:1-17, when Jesus sent seventy-two disciples out in pairs ahead of him to the places he was going.

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the following questions:

Who is a believer that Christ has given you as a partner in ministry? If there are various people, think through how you uniquely serve with each of them.

Which of your neighbors is a “person of peace” which you have experience through their hospitality? Perhaps this person, couple, or family would be willing to work with you to plan a Block Party.

What are some ways you see God’s kingdom come and will done here and now?

 

DO

Today: Pray for more “harvest workers” within the harvest fields of our community, including where you live.

 

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

 

Pray for more “harvest workers” within the community, including a ministry partner if you don’t have one, then thank God for…

• your spouse if you are married
• ministry partners
• the work Jesus has sent us to do
• hospitable neighbors
• the people where you live

 

Next Step: Make interacting with your neighbors a way of life, remembering that relationships develop through ongoing interactions over extended periods of time. Jesus has sent us into his harvest fields, so it’s our responsibility to go into the communities and circles of influence where God has placed us for this season of life. Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you each step of the journey.

 

 

Friday (9/22)

READ 1 Peter 4:8 to begin your time with the Lord.

 

LISTEN to a hymn or praise song.

 

READ Matthew 17:1-9, an account of Jesus’ transfiguration when he revealed his holy glory to Peter, James, and John.

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the following questions:

Jesus took three of the twelve disciples up the mountain with him. The three saw Jesus during his transfiguration in a way that none of the other disciples had the opportunity to see. Who are the people that are part of your inner circle, those who know you and know things about you that no one else knows?

Do you have a neighbor, or a few neighbors, that you have a closer relationship with at this time compared to your other neighbors? If not, begin praying that God will help you to develop a closer relationship with one or more of your neighbors.

What does God reveal about Jesus in verses 5?

Are you listening to Jesus by seeking to live according what he teaches? Why or why not?

 

DO

Today: Reach out to those who are part of your “inner circle” to check in with them. You could do that through a text message, phone call, or an in person interaction.

 

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 the people who you consider to be part of your “inner circle.” The short list probably includes your spouse, perhaps a sibling, maybe your parent, child/children, or some other family member, as well as a close friend or friends.

Pray for the needs of the neighbor or neighbors you feel closest to on your Block Map. If you don’t have a person on your Block Map that you feel closest to, pray for God to guide you to develop a deeper relationship with one or more of them.

 

 

Saturday (9/23)

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 Isaiah 58, a chapter about fasting, what God truly desires from us, and the Sabbath. Our theme for this weekend is “the Sabbath.”

 

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

Have you ever rebelled regarding your relationship with God? If so, how?

Have you ever fasted or spent a season of time abstaining from something in hopes of being closer to God or experiencing God in a fresh way?

What happened?

Do you behave more Christlike at the end of a fast or season of abstaining, or do you act less like Jesus?

What do verses 6 and 7 reveal about what God desires from us in regard to fasting?

What is God’s expectation about the Sabbath revealed in verses 13 and 14?

Where are you seeking to find your joy and delight, in God or in something/someone else? Why?

 

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 can 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 this prayer based on Isaiah 58, your own prayer, or a combination of the two:

Merciful God, forgive me and all of your people for the ways we have

rebelled and sinned against you and our neighbors.

We want to know you and humbly live according to your ways

revealed in and through Jesus.

You are faithful even though we often fail to be obedient to You.

Whenever we ignore our opportunities or are unwilling to

loosen the chains of injustice, set the oppressed free,

share our food with the hungry, provide poor wanderers with shelter,

clothe the naked, help family members,

as well as sisters and brothers in Christ,

we fall short of your glory and perfect love.

Forgive us, yet again, God of love and forgiveness.

Guide our ways so that we live as lights shining in the darkness.

Give us today what we need so that we find satisfaction in You.

May those who encounter Christians and Jesus’ church find a people

who are like a well-watered garden, or a spring that provides living-

giving water endlessly.

Guide us in helping to repair, restore, and rebuild the lives of individuals,

couples, and families, as well as the communities where we live, work,

and have been sent to represent Christ.

Help us to live as observers of the Sabbath according to your will.

May we find our true delight and joy in you and your Spirit within us.

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

Amen.