Message Series: Hello Neighbor
Week 4
Scripture: Luke 5:27-32
Other Scripture References:
Group Check in:
How is it with your soul?
Prayer Request? Praises?
How has God shown up in your life this week?
Icebreaker:
What was your favorite part of your weekend?
Overview:
What’s this message about?
None of us should be in a hurry to prove how advanced our faith is. If you’re on the mature end of the Christian spectrum, then your maturity should lead you to help others along on the journey. Be a mentor.
Every person is made in the image of God, and possesses divine worth and God is working in every person. Thus loving our neighbor is an expression of our love for God!
We have an opportunity to refocus on connecting our neighbors with the hope of the Gospel. This is the most important work that God has called us to do.
Names move you from stranger to acquaintance, so the next logical question is how to become neighbors in a biblical sense.
It is important to have clarity on the difference between ulterior and ultimate purposes. Ulterior purpose would be to be nice to a neighbor in order to convince them to come to church. That’s not the endgame for us. That, by the way, is why our community is less and less trusting of institutional religion because they see us as a bait/switch culture. Ultimate purpose goes far beyond church attendance.
Luke 5:27-32: Levi creates an environment where the people he knows could interact with Jesus.
We’re called to love people, whether they take steps toward God is beside the point. We are called to love them unconditionally without expecting anything in return.
So how can you recreate Levi’s approach:
Move to the front yard
Do what you love and don’t assume others don’t care- use your gifts/passions. They’re hungry for love and connection because the world around us is lonelier than we imagine
Invite 2 neighbors that you know independently for dinner
Host a gathering
Discussion Questions:
How is Jesus sharing a meal with Levi and his guests a picture of the gospel?
Read Luke 5:29 and Hebrews 13:2. Discuss being a good neighbor. Why is it important? What message are we sending when we are not hospitable?
What kinds of things could you do as a family to reach out to others with the gospel?
How does knowing that we are to love our neighbors in the same way that we love and care for ourselves help you see the importance of serving others
Considering the Great Commandment, how often have you loved your neighbors? How well have you loved your neighbors?
This week, how can you make yourself more available than usual to the people in your neighborhood?
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