Art of Neighboring
Thursday Bible Study Group • Sermon • Submitted
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Ch. 5
After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. “Follow me,” Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. Then Levi held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, “Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” Jesus answered them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
Normally focus on the “tax collectors and sinners part” but through the lens of this book, Levi just invited his neighbors. He had a “block party.” Had a great banquet at his house. Jesus didn’t feel like he had to host it to make sure it was the kind of party he wanted but he attended one where someone else was in charge.
*What was it that made Levi want to throw a big party for Jesus I wonder?
1) “Moving Down the Line” from Stranger to Acquaintance to Relationship
A. Small conversations. Example of going out to see the neighbor working on a car lead to a deeper, in-depth discussion.
*Where are we with our neighbors generally? Can we move closer?
*What are some of the factors in “moving down the line”? (Time, we know relationships take work, nitty gritty)
B. Learning people’s names.
Sitting out on my bench. Same family walks by every day. Asked him his name and he mumbled something. Need to ask again!
C. Move out front. SHOW SLIDE: Front yard video
D. Block Directory which might lead to a Block Party: An idea that even city leaders think is a good idea. (Welty block party example)
Book: “Let’s be honest. The fact that the Pharisees question Jesus’s attending indicates that this party was likely not a ‘Mountain Dew and pizza’ kind of party. This, for sure, wasn’t a Sunday afternoon church potluck. This was a party where people were having a lot of fun.” (As if you can’t have fun at these other types of parties, but I get the point. Stops short of saying, “everyone was drinking alcohol.”)
*Has our character ever been questioned because we were “doing something sketchy”?
SHOW SLIDE Brian McLaren:
Traditional Christianity has focused on a clear list of prescribed conceptual beliefs, while its story, saints, practice, and vision of the future have been present, but secondary and far less clear. I propose that it is now time to reverse that emphasis, and come together around a sturdy table upheld by four legs, with bread and wine in the center, speaking to us of Jesus.
*Any thoughts on this quote? Block Parties? What would it look like to try to organize something once a year?
*Any other ideas / comments from this chapter?
Ch. 6
Small things can make a difference in the life of a neighbor.
1) SHOW SLIDE Loaves and fishes example
*What are small steps to take? (Char invited next door to a baking party)
Just do something. Baking, sports, watching sports on TV, eating together. Invite people to our regular activities.
Firepit example of making S’Mores
2) Don’t give up. Relationships take time.
Cal Ripken example. 22 minutes of cheering in the 5th inning not for a great hit, great catch, strike out etc. but for playing every game of every season for 14 straight years. 8 curtain calls.
Ever heard of the Next Door app?
https://www.artofneighboring.com/resources/