Intentional Love: Building Connections with Our Neighbors
Summary
### Summary
In our inaugural podcast episode, we delve into the profound and often overlooked commandment of Jesus: "Love Thy Neighbor." This isn't just a metaphorical or abstract concept but a call to love our literal, next-door neighbors. Living in Washington, D.C., a city of contrasts and contradictions, we have a unique perspective on the challenges and opportunities of neighboring. From our early days of ministry, where we started the church in our home, to now being a citywide church, the importance of building tangible, relational connections with those around us has been a cornerstone of our mission.
We discussed the barriers to neighboring, such as language differences and the isolating effects of modern conveniences like air conditioning and digital screens. Yet, these barriers can be overcome with intentionality and small acts of kindness, like learning a few words in a neighbor's native language. We also touched on the cultural and political climate of D.C., where yard signs often proclaim a superficial form of love that lacks the depth and sacrificial nature of agape love, the love that Jesus calls us to embody.
The conversation also explored the dangers of humanism and mysticism. Humanism can lead to angry activism devoid of forgiveness, while mysticism can result in a self-righteous withdrawal from the world. Jesus calls us to a deeper discipleship that rejects both extremes and integrates loving God with loving our neighbor. We emphasized the importance of knowing our neighbors by name and understanding their lives and dreams, as this is the first step in truly loving them.
### Key Takeaways
1. Intentional Neighboring: Loving your literal neighbor requires intentionality. Start by learning their names and a few words in their native language if they are from a different country. This small effort can make them feel seen and valued, breaking down barriers and building bridges. [12:59]
2. Overcoming Modern Barriers: Modern conveniences like air conditioning and digital screens have isolated us from our neighbors. To counteract this, we need to be proactive in creating opportunities for face-to-face interactions, such as hosting neighborhood gatherings or simply spending time in communal spaces. [14:41]
3. Depth of Agape Love: The love that Jesus calls us to is deeper than the superficial inclusivity often promoted in secular culture. Agape love is sacrificial and rooted in the truth of the Gospel. It challenges us to go beyond mere acceptance and to engage in meaningful, transformative relationships. [18:49]
4. Balancing Humanism and Mysticism: Both humanism and mysticism have their pitfalls. Humanism can lead to activism without forgiveness, while mysticism can result in self-righteous isolation. Jesus calls us to a balanced discipleship that integrates loving God with loving our neighbor, rejecting both extremes. [22:19]
5. Practical Steps to Neighboring: Knowing your neighbors by name is the first step in loving them. Use tools like a block chart to keep track of your closest neighbors and learn about their lives and dreams. This practical approach helps us move from abstract love to concrete actions that reflect the love of Christ. [23:27]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:58] - Purpose of the Podcast
[03:28] - Introducing the Series: Love Thy Neighbor
[04:54] - Early Days of District Church
[08:52] - The Contradictions of D.C.
[09:58] - Barriers to Neighboring
[12:59] - Language as a Barrier or Bridge
[14:41] - Modern Barriers to Neighboring
[17:21] - The Superficiality of Yard Sign Love
[18:49] - Agape Love vs. Secular Love
[20:57] - Integrating Love for God and Neighbor
[22:19] - Dangers of Humanism and Mysticism
[23:27] - Practical Steps: Knowing Your Neighbors
[25:48] - Closing Thoughts and Encouragement
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: Love Thy Neighbor
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 22:37-39 (NIV) - "Jesus replied: 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
2. 1 John 4:19-21 (NIV) - "We love because he first loved us. Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister."
3. Luke 10:27 (NIV) - "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.'"
#### Observation Questions
1. What are some of the barriers to neighboring mentioned in the sermon, and how can they be overcome? [[09:58]]
2. How does the sermon describe the difference between superficial love and agape love? [[18:49]]
3. What practical steps were suggested in the sermon for getting to know your neighbors? [[23:27]]
4. According to the sermon, what are the dangers of humanism and mysticism in the context of loving your neighbor? [[22:19]]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the command to "love your neighbor as yourself" challenge the way we typically interact with our literal neighbors? [[03:28]]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that modern conveniences like air conditioning and digital screens have impacted our ability to neighbor effectively? [[14:41]]
3. How does the sermon explain the integration of loving God and loving our neighbor, and why is it important to avoid separating these two commands? [[20:57]]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of intentionality in overcoming language barriers with our neighbors? [[12:59]]
#### Application Questions
1. Think about your own neighborhood. How many of your neighbors do you know by name? What steps can you take this week to learn the names of those you don't know? [[23:27]]
2. Reflect on the modern barriers to neighboring mentioned in the sermon. Which of these barriers do you find most challenging, and what specific actions can you take to overcome them? [[14:41]]
3. The sermon emphasizes the depth of agape love. How can you move beyond superficial acts of kindness to engage in more meaningful and transformative relationships with your neighbors? [[18:49]]
4. Consider the balance between humanism and mysticism discussed in the sermon. How can you ensure that your activism is rooted in forgiveness and your spirituality is connected to real-world engagement? [[22:19]]
5. The sermon suggests using a block chart to keep track of your closest neighbors and learn about their lives and dreams. How can you implement this tool in your own life, and what impact do you think it will have on your relationships with your neighbors? [[23:27]]
6. Reflect on the cultural and political climate of your own community. How can you demonstrate a love that goes beyond superficial inclusivity and embodies the sacrificial nature of agape love? [[18:49]]
7. The sermon encourages us to use our unique skills and interests to build relationships with our neighbors. What are some specific ways you can use your talents and hobbies to connect with those living near you? [[25:48]]
Devotional
Day 1: Intentional Neighboring
Loving your literal neighbor requires intentionality. Start by learning their names and a few words in their native language if they are from a different country. This small effort can make them feel seen and valued, breaking down barriers and building bridges. In a world where we often rush past each other, taking the time to know our neighbors can be a profound act of love. It shows that we value them as individuals and are willing to step out of our comfort zones to connect with them. This intentionality can transform our neighborhoods into communities where people feel known and loved.
[12:59]
Leviticus 19:33-34 (ESV): "When a stranger sojourns with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong. You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God."
Reflection: Think of a neighbor whose name you do not know. Can you make an effort to introduce yourself and learn their name this week?
Day 2: Overcoming Modern Barriers
Modern conveniences like air conditioning and digital screens have isolated us from our neighbors. To counteract this, we need to be proactive in creating opportunities for face-to-face interactions, such as hosting neighborhood gatherings or simply spending time in communal spaces. These small steps can help us break free from the isolation that technology often brings and foster genuine connections with those around us. By being present and available, we can create a sense of community and belonging that is often missing in our fast-paced, digital world.
[14:41]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV): "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."
Reflection: What is one modern convenience that often keeps you isolated from your neighbors? How can you limit its use to create more opportunities for face-to-face interactions?
Day 3: Depth of Agape Love
The love that Jesus calls us to is deeper than the superficial inclusivity often promoted in secular culture. Agape love is sacrificial and rooted in the truth of the Gospel. It challenges us to go beyond mere acceptance and to engage in meaningful, transformative relationships. This kind of love requires us to invest time, energy, and sometimes even resources into the lives of others. It is a love that seeks the best for others, even at a cost to ourselves, and reflects the sacrificial love of Christ.
[18:49]
1 John 3:16-18 (ESV): "By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth."
Reflection: Identify one person in your life who could benefit from a deeper, more sacrificial form of love. What is one specific action you can take this week to show them agape love?
Day 4: Balancing Humanism and Mysticism
Both humanism and mysticism have their pitfalls. Humanism can lead to activism without forgiveness, while mysticism can result in self-righteous isolation. Jesus calls us to a balanced discipleship that integrates loving God with loving our neighbor, rejecting both extremes. This balanced approach helps us to engage with the world in a way that is both compassionate and grounded in the truth of the Gospel. It encourages us to be active in our communities while maintaining a deep, personal relationship with God.
[22:19]
James 1:27 (ESV): "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world."
Reflection: Reflect on your own life. Do you tend to lean more towards activism without forgiveness or self-righteous isolation? How can you seek a more balanced approach in your discipleship?
Day 5: Practical Steps to Neighboring
Knowing your neighbors by name is the first step in loving them. Use tools like a block chart to keep track of your closest neighbors and learn about their lives and dreams. This practical approach helps us move from abstract love to concrete actions that reflect the love of Christ. By taking the time to understand the people around us, we can better serve them and build stronger, more supportive communities. This intentional effort can lead to deeper relationships and a greater sense of belonging for everyone involved.
[23:27]
Romans 12:13 (ESV): "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."
Reflection: Create a block chart of your closest neighbors. Write down their names and one thing you know about them. What is one way you can show hospitality to one of your neighbors this week?
Quotes
1. "I think we need to go there because I think the culture is discipling Christians more than Christians are discipling Christians and I think that's part of the reason that I'm here today the culture. And we're in a unique cultural moment. So that's what I'm hoping is that we" [01:58] (13 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "The thing that we're unpacking is what if Jesus meant in the second greatest commandment, love thy neighbor? What if he meant to love your actual next door neighbor? It's so simple and yet so profound. And we actually did a version of this series 10 years ago called The Art of Neighboring." [03:28] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Great things always start small and get practiced on the most local level possible. So tell me what you remember about those early days and why this theme of neighboring is so important, why we're coming was something tangible, relational in that. And it was really beautiful." [04:54] (60 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "DC, as Charles Dickens once said, is the city of contradictions. We are a city that have a hard time practicing what we preach because we're the most affluent metro area in the country, but have some of the highest rates of poverty. We have the most educated workforce in the country, by far more." [08:52] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Language can be a barrier or a bridge. And you know, you're learning Arabic right now, which is pretty amazing. It's incredible to see your devotion to learning that very difficult language. But it's amazing when you say even a few words and, uh, some words. The person's language. I mean, I know enough Spanish to be able to say Dios te bendiga and other things, and it just helps people feel seen." [12:59] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
6. "We talked about the Greek word place on for neighbor, which actually means near or nearby. And I think it's a real challenge. What Jesus is saying is like, you gotta love those who are closest to you, who are in your path first. And yeah, praise God for global neighbors in this globalized world and that we can connect with people online and the digital space." [14:41] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
7. "The challenge is that like love like there's there's parts of that that are true like we should love every single person who's made in the image of god who has infinite worth like we should not lead with hate we should not lead with walls instead of bridges like I understand that but that that worldview that yard sign is rooted in a very secular worldview that says love is ridiculous." [18:49] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
8. "The gospel is the most inclusive message to ever preach that Jesus died for the whole world absolutely it's incredible how inclusive it is but as diedrich bonhoeffer when christ calls a man he bids him come and die there is a there is a taking up your cross dying to self and I think in this cultural moment that we live in the left or the right does not know how to die to self." [20:57] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
9. "You cannot separate the loving God from loving your neighbor. And one side, the progressive side, will want to pull you to love your neighbor. The conservative side will want to pull you to loving God, but you cannot separate them. We talked about the two dangers on Sunday, the danger of humanism and the danger of mysticism." [22:19] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
10. "You have to take risks. But the beauty of the gospel is that God, God could just call all people to him and he doesn't even need us, but he loves to work through us. He wants to work through our witness. And the beautiful thing is he works through all of our unique personalities and our different skill sets. And so you need to be who God's created you to be and play to your strengths." [25:48] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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