This is an age old question in youth ministry and a question that has been around in evangelism circles forever. This past week in a devotion by one of our staff members he touched on this a little and got me thinking about several different things.

Evangelism requires us to know those who live next to us. Often this can be very difficult for some as we attempt to get to know othes who may not really want to be known. I sense that the things of the past have been lost in regards to how we live with our neighbors. Yeah, some of it may be that we are trying to protect our children from the unknown things of our nieghbors. Seriously, don’t we have enough faith to trust that God will protect and fulfill his mission as we are trying to reach out under his name.

Maybe that is a little rough and unnecessary, but should we not be doing more than we are to get know and to be a part of the lives of those around us. Here are some simple things that I believe that we have lost in regards to getting to know our neighbors.

1. Riding our bikes – no longer do we really let our children go exploring the neighborhood. They have to stay between this house and that house and if they go too far then we take the bike away. I am guilty of this.

2. Playing with other children – with all the crazy things that are happening in our world today it is important to be smart with your children. However, we have lost the concept of letting kids play in the street and it being safe. Everyone is in such a hurry. I remember playing baseball and hockey in the street growing up and everyone just took there time going around you. No Road Rage.

3. The Barbecue – when was the last time you invited a neighbor to your house for dinner with no strings attached and without the intent of shoving the gospel down their throats. I do believe that when we host our neighbors that we open the door for great relationships to be formed.

4. Helping one another – the days of asking for a cup of sugar are gone. Growing up we always had someone asking for or we were asking for the little things that we needed or had ran out of. Today, it as if that is a major fauxpas and we are not allowed to do it. Instead we get in our cars and go to the nearest store to get what we need.

“By this they will know you are my disciples, if you love one another…” John 13:35

There is a lot here that I know I need to start thinking about. As a minister I often get so wrapped up in doing what I have to do at the church that those who live closest to me are the most neglected. Not really what Jesus would have me do.

* We did a series off this a while back that went really well. Check the resources and I will try to get some of the material up there for free.