The Neighbor in Your Family

May 13, 2019

DAILY READING

Today’s reading: Exodus 20:12, Ephesians 6:1-4
This week’s challenge: COMMUNICATE

FIELD NOTES

Is your soul at peace with your spouse? Your children? Your roommate? Your family? If not, how long has it been since you experienced peace with them? Whether we live alone or with family, we sometimes forget to think of those closest to us as our neighbors. But the word “neighbor” actually comes from the Old English neah, meaning “near,” and gebur, meaning “inhabitant.” So, neighbors are literally the people near us, including those we live with!

In Ephesians 6:1-4, Paul tells us we should obey our parents, honor them, and bring up our children with the discipline and instruction of God. This indicates a close and continual relationship in our families of origin, whether we continue to live with our families or not.

This week’s challenge: Communicate. This week have what might be a difficult conversation with your closest neighbors: your family. Ask if you are being a good neighbor to those who love you and be willing to hear the honest answer. Ask how you can be a better neighbor to them. Discuss what Paul’s words mean to you as a family.

Ideas to complete this challenge: 

1. Plan and host a family game night.
2. Call that family member you’ve been avoiding.
3. If you live alone, make a visit to a family member, friend, or church member who is not able to make it to church with you.
4. If you live with roommates, consider completing this challenge with them.
5. Don’t forget to stop by the Neighbor Wall outside of Haney Hall on your way to worship this weekend to mark your progress and how you were able to pray for, communicate with, and invite your neighbors into deeper relationship this week! And if there’s a particular story of impact from the week, would you share that with Rev. Shelby Slowey?

Ministry Spotlight: Visitation Ministry

Did you know that BUMC has a visitation ministry? Volunteers are dedicated to visiting and connecting with people who may be home-centered or are in a care facility. Contact Mike Davis to learn more about the visitation ministry.