As humans, we want to know how or why we should do something. When it comes to neighboring or loving someone, the case is no different. Neighboring is much more than proximity but putting our love into action. But what actions do we take? What are we supposed to do?

In Matthew 22:34-40 Jesus gives us the greatest commandment – to love our God and love our neighbors as ourselves. The first of those commands can be found in the commandments given to Moses in Exodus, but what do we do with the second commandment given to us by Jesus? Loving someone you hardly know sounds weird at first – challenge yourself and your group to get to know their neighbors this week.

Questions for Discussion:

1. How do we comprehend both the old testament law and the new commands given to us by Jesus to love our neighbors?
2. Do you feel yourself picking and choosing different parts of God’s law to follow? How do Jesus’ words to love your neighbors strike you when viewed as something every Christian must do? 
3. In what ways does the first commandment given by Jesus connect with the second? Can we love our neighbor without loving God or ourselves?

Practice: Know your Neighbors

This week, let’s focus on knowing your neighborhood. You will need blank paper and pencils or pens with which to draw.

Begin by drawing a map of your immediate neighborhood, including your house and all the houses that surround you. Begin filling in the names of neighbors that you know. Are there names that you don’t know? Do you know any of the details about the people who live next to you other than their names?

If there are blanks in your neighborhood map, resolve to introduce yourself to at least one new neighbor this week!

Take time this week to pray for the people in your neighborhood – those that you know and those that you don’t.