Taking the Great Commandment Literally
10/13/19
Message Notes for October 13, 2019
Series: Art of Neighboring
Title: Taking the Great Commandment Literally
Who is my neighbor?
Acts 17:26-27
“From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”
Luke 10:25-37
He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
What does Jesus say matters most?
Loving matters.
Matthew 22:37-40
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. And love your neighbor as yourself.
Galatians 5:14
The entire law is summed up in a single command: Love your neighbor as yourself.
Caring matters.
Galatians 6:2
Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Our neighbor isn’t confined to our own beliefs.
Our neighbor isn’t confined to our own background.
Our neighbor isn’t confined to our own race.
Our neighbor isn’t confined to our own economic status.
A neighbor tends to all our needs – physical, emotional, relational, financial, etc.
If we consider our neighbor to be everyone, we often end up loving no one.
Relationships with your neighbors will create lasting change.
Family/Group Study Notes for the week of October 13, 2019
Series: Art of Neighboring
Title: Taking the Great Commandment Literally
- Who is your neighbor? In the Old Testament, the Jewish people had a different idea about who their neighbors were. Read Leviticus 19:16-18. In this passage, who is the neighbor?
- How does Jesus redefine or expand the definition of neighbor? Read Luke 10:25-37. Who are the “Samaritans” in our current cultural context? How about in our neighborhood, city or nation? What makes this people group an “excluded other”?
- We want a definition of neighbor that fits easily in to our lives, not one that makes us uncomfortable. Who are you currently overlooking, excluding, rejecting, or possibly not thinking about or not considering?
- Read Matthew 22:35-40. How is good neighboring (loving others) connected to our love of God? In what ways do we attempt to justify ourselves in order to avoid taking the Great Commandment seriously? In what ways are we tempted to change the definition of “neighbor” so that it fits easily into our lives?
- What would happen if everyone made it a point to know and befriend the people who live on their block or in their neighborhood? To what extent do you agree with the following statement: “The majority of the issues that our community is facing would be eliminated or drastically reduced if we could just figure out a way to become a community of great neighbors.”
- Fill out the block map, starting with the names of your neighbors. Using your block map, take a minute to think about each of your eight closest neighbors and categorize each neighbor as a stranger, acquaintance, or relationship. How many names did you know? Did you have any insights as you did this exercise? What did you learn as a result of doing this exercise?
- Identify one neighbor that you are going to pray for during the next week. Pray for guidance on what steps God is calling you to take in knowing, loving, and serving your neighbors.
