Sermon Title: Love Your Neighbor... not just the guy next door...

Scripture: Lev. 19:9-18, Matt. 22:36-39, Luke 10:25-37, Gal. 5:13-15, 1 John 4:7-8,

1. Defining Neighbors: Our definition of a neighbor is typically narrowly reduced to people who live near us. The Biblical concept of a neighbor is found more in our shared humanity and the image of God that is on each of us that makes us neighbors/friends/family.

2. Love & Eternity: The Pharisee’s answer to a question about inheriting eternal life was confirmed by Jesus. It is found in two equally important ideas: Love God. Love people.

3. Eyes Wide Open: We begin to love our neighbors when we make the decision to keep our eyes open. We cannot love God or people if we turn a blind eye to the needs of our neighbor.

Questions to ponder?

1. How well do you know the people in your neighborhood? Do you know their names? Their children? Do you know what they celebrate and what they lament? Do they know you?

2. In what ways are you actively showing love to your neighbors?

3. If love for people is just as important as love for God, what should we be doing more often?

4. What are some of the needs in the Shenango Valley that are easy to ignore if we don’t think about it?

5. How can your group take a step to meet one of those needs?