Value #4 We Find Community in Love Our Neighbor
Introduction
Being snowed in reminded us that loving our neighbors often starts right where we are. This message invites us to live out our faith in everyday ways—checking on those nearby, serving with humble hearts, and letting God’s love overflow from us into our community. When we love our neighbors well, we build trust, shine Christ’s light, and point others to the hope they are longing for. May we be a church that is seen not for ourselves, but for the love of Jesus radiating through us.
Discussion Questions
Study Questions
1. When you hear the phrase “loving your neighbor,” what do you instinctively think it means in everyday life?
2. Read Matthew 22:34–40. Why does Jesus connect love for God and love for neighbor so closely? What happens when we try to separate the two?
3. Last week, Pastor Keven said we should be doing mission work out of spiritual excess not spiritual want. What does that mean? What are the spiritual dangers of serving out of spiritual want?
4. Read 1 Peter 2:12-17. How do honorable, visible actions help build trust in a community? Why are words alone often insufficient to represent Christ well?
5. The sermon names several sources of church hurt (leadership failure or abuse, misuse or lack of transparency with finances, and inconsistent or ungracious behavior by Christians in everyday life). How do these realities affect people’s willingness to trust the church today, and how can believers acknowledge these failures with humility rather than defensiveness as they seek to rebuild trust?
6. Read Matthew 5:14–16. According to Jesus, what is the purpose of being “seen” by others? How does this passage guard us from seeking attention for ourselves instead of pointing people to God?
7. CALL TO ACTION: Memorize Matthew 5:17. Talk with someone about an area of the church hurt you or someone you know has been wrestling with. Find a tangible way to do something trustworthy for a neighbor.