8/13-8/19 Overview

This is week #2 of The Art of Neighboring all-church worship and small group series. During the months of August and September we are focusing on loving our neighbors (Galatians 5:14). To get the most out of this journey as a congregation, you are invited to:

 

The Neighboring series will continue through the week of September 17th. We hope you will join us throughout the journey! Worship services this weekend are focused on “where to begin” in regards to loving 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 (8/13)

READ Leviticus 19:16b-18 to center yourself in what God desires from us:

“Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened…

Do not nurse hatred in your heart…

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge…but love your neighbor

as yourself. I am the LORD.  – Leviticus 19:16b-18 NLT

 

LISTEN to a hymn or praise song that helps you to worship the One who made all people in his likeness and image.

 

READ Luke 10:25-28. Jesus states that by loving God and our neighbors “you will live.” The life God intends for us is a life of love, loving God and loving neighbors. How does gathering together as the church each week help us to “live”?

           

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 3 & 4 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: Fill in a block map today or later this 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.

 

Pray: Pray for your Art of Neighboring group/class members each day throughout the week. If you are not part of a group or class, choose a person, couple, or family from the church to pray for each day this week. You are also invited to pray for a “neighbor” from the community you will focus on during the remaining weeks of the series. You may want to circle their name on your Block Map as a reminder.

 

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

 

 

Monday (8/14)

READ Leviticus 19:16b-18 to begin your devotional time:

“Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened…

Do not nurse hatred in your heart…

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge…but love your neighbor

as yourself. I am the LORD.  -Leviticus 19:16b-18 NLT

 

LISTEN to a hymn or praise song that helps you to worship the One who showed us how to love one another.

 

READ Luke 10:29, the question the expert in the Law of Moses asked Jesus.

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verse using the following questions:

Who are your neighbors?

What do you know about them?

 

DO

Today: Seek to praise the Lord throughout the day as an expression of loving God. You can do this by rejoicing and thanking the Lord continually.

 

Book: Remember to read chapters 3 & 4 from The Art of Neighboring this week.

 

Block Map: If you have not done it yet, fill in a block map with the names of people from the congregation you chose. Maps are available within AUMC groups/classes, at the Welcome Desk closest to the sanctuary, and online using the link below:

http://www.artofneighboring.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/blockmap-1.pdf

 

Pray:  If you are part of a small group or class going through The Art of Neighboring study, pray for the group/class members today. If you are not part of a group/class, pray for someone from the congregation. Also, pray for a “neighbor” or “neighbors” from the community are focusing on during the remaining weeks of the series. If you haven’t done it yet, consider circling their name(s) on your Block Map as a reminder.

 

Next Step: Seek to move forward with the small next step you are taking this week in regard to “neighboring”.

 

 

Tuesday (8/15)

READ Leviticus 19:16b-18 to seek to center your heart and mind in God’s priorities.

 

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

 

READ Luke 10:30-35, Jesus’ reply to the question, “Who is my neighbor?”

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the following questions:

Which person helped the man in need in Jesus’ story about “neighboring”?

Which of the people in the story do you identify with the most? Why?

What are all of the things the Samaritan did to love their neighbor in Jesus’ story/parable?

                       

DO

Today: Focus on seeing the needs among your neighbors where you live.

 

Pray: Pray for your Art of Neighboring group/class members. If you are not part of a group/class, pray for the needs of someone from the congregation. Also, pray for a “neighbor” or “neighbors” from the community you chose.

 

 

Wednesday (8/16)

READ Leviticus 19:16b-18 to begin your devotional time.

 

LISTEN to a hymn or praise song that helps you to worship the God who is Father and Creator of all of humanity, including our neighbors.

 

READ Acts 17:24-28, part of the apostle Paul’s spontaneous sermon he shared with the Greek philosophers and citizens of Athens during his missionary work in the city. In verse 26 Paul connects all of humanity and people of every nation to Adam, Eve, and the creation accounts from Genesis 1 & 2. Paul claims that God “determined the times set for them” (the people of the earth), “and the exact places where they should live” (Acts 17:26 NIV).

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the following questions:

How did you become a resident of the community and home, or dwelling place, where you currently live?

In what ways is it clear that God was involved in getting you where you are right now?

What if God’s plan for your “neighbors” where you live, work, and do life is for you to help them seek and find the Lord?

 

DO

Today: Go be with a neighbor, or neighbors, remembering that God’s Spirit is in you and with you. Trust the Holy Spirit to provide you with the right words at the right time.

 

Book: We are reading chapters 3 & 4 from The Art of Neighboring this week.

 

Block Map: If you have not done it yet, fill in a block map.

 

Pray: Pray for your Art of Neighboring group/class members. If you are not part of a group/class, pray for someone from the congregation. Also, pray for  opportunities to be with and get to know the “neighbor” or “neighbors” from the community you chose. Pray that the Holy Spirit will make God known to your neighbors according to His perfect timing.

 

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

 

 

Thursday (8/17)

READ Leviticus 19:16b-18 to focus your heart and mind on “neighboring”.

 

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

 

READ Matthew 9:35-10:8, verses describing a time when Jesus sent the 12 disciples/apostles out into the “harvest field” with clear instructions and expectations (Matt. 9:38 NIV).

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the following questions:

What were the things the Twelve were sent to go do in verses 7 & 8?

How does the ministry of the Twelve compare to what Jesus was doing in verses 9:35-36?

What does Jesus expect you to go do? Why? If you are unsure, ask the Lord to make his desire known to you.

 

DO

Today:  Verses 10:5-6 reveal that the Twelve were sent to the Israelites, which helped to prepare them for reaching the Samaritans and Gentiles in the future years and decades of their ministries as recorded in the book of Acts. This is a reminder for each of us that focusing on neighboring where we live, in Avon or greater Hendricks County, is the beginning location for living love of neighbor. Go do something you believe Jesus wants you to do today for a “neighbor” from the community you have chosen to focus on, which could be someone close to your home/apartment, a co-worker, another family from your child’s sports team or activity group, or elsewhere. Follow Jesus’ example.

 

Block Map: Have any additional names come to mind to add to the Block Map?

 

Pray: Pray thanking God for the AUMC groups & classes, congregation, and leaders. “Ask the Lord of the harvest…to send out workers into his harvest field” in Greater Hendricks County. Invite the Holy Spirit to make God’s desire known to you for how you are supposed to contribute to Jesus’ ministry being fulfilled in the community.

 

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

 

 

Friday (8/18)

READ Leviticus 19:16b-18 to begin your time with the Lord.

 

LISTEN to a hymn or praise song.

 

READ Luke 10:25-37, the full account of Jesus sharing the parable of the Good Samaritan.

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the following questions:

How is “offering mercy” an expression of loving your neighbor?

What will it require of you to follow the Samaritan’s example from Jesus’ parable, loving your neighbors within your community/neighborhood where you live?

                       

DO

Today: Follow the Good Samaritan’s example by using your time, effort, and financial resources to bless a neighbor in need.

 

Book: Finish reading chapters 3 & 4 from The Art of Neighboring before Sunday.

 

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

http://www.artofneighboring.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/blockmap-1.pdf

 

Pray: Invite the Holy Spirit to guide our congregation to live and embody the virtues of Christ among our neighbors, including humility, compassion, forgivingness, and love. Pray for any brothers or sisters in Christ in need from the congregation. Pray for the known needs of your neighbors too.

 

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

 

 

Saturday (8/19)

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 2:5-11, verses about imitating Christ’s humility and worshiping him as our Lord. Our Sabbath theme for today is “worship.”

 

REFLECT upon the Bible verses using the following questions:

When are the moments, days, or times when you have a humble attitude like Christ?

                       

When do you struggle to have a Christ-like attitude and humility?

                       

Why is it important to have an attitude like Christ as you seek to love your neighbors?

 

How will you use your voice to “confess that Jesus Christ is Lord” this weekend

(Phil. 2:11 NIV)? During your interactions with your family members? During

conversations with neighbors? Singing and praying during a worship service?

 

SOLITUDE and SILENCE. You are encouraged to spend ten, twenty, or thirty minutes alone with King Jesus 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 thanking and praising the Lord. Confess your sins from this past week, including the ways you have fallen short in regard to loving God and your neighbors. Invite the Holy Spirit to form your attitude so that it will be Christlike.

 

 

TIME of REFLECTION during the afternoon or evening. Either write in a journal or notebook the ways you were intentional about loving your neighbors this past week, or discuss them with a close family member or friend. It may be helpful to write or talk about what you need to stop doing to be able to observe the Sabbath for an entire day and live a healthier pace and rhythm for your life too.

 

 

PRAY the following at the end of the day based on Philippians 2 and Leviticus 19:16-18:

Jesus, I confess that you are the Christ and Lord.

I submit to you and your authority.

Fill me with your Spirit and form my attitude to be humble like you,

so that I live following your example.

My desire is to help, serve, and protect my neighbors now,

and when their lives are threatened.

Remove any seed of hatred from my heart and mind.

Help me to forgive myself and others as I have been forgiven

through your death upon the cross.

Guide me to see and value myself and others

in the way you see and value us.

Let the love that I receive from you flow through me

like a river of living water,

so that I bless my neighbors with my words and deeds.

Your name is above every other name, Jesus.

You are exalted and lifted high. Glory to God!

In your name I pray.  Amen.