Mission Field Neighborhood - week 1

I recently had the opportunity to speak to a group of "chronologically superior" friends in Arizona. We have had several opportunities over the years to speak to this group in their Sunday morning small group. We took some time to talk about our neighborhood mission field. Have you ever thought about it that way? We started with the question of "How many of you know the four neighbors who live in front, behind, and on both sides of you?" So many couldn't name all 4, even though they had lived in their home for 10+ years. So, how do we shift our paradigm and recognize our home as a place planted in a mission field?

It takes intentionality.

Most of us think of our home as a place for us to rest and relax and launch us into our Sunday or Workday ministry/mission field. But what about the neighborhood that God placed us in? Have you ever thought about that fact that you live where you live on PURPOSE. God placed you there and surrounded you with people who need to meet the Jesus you know and love.

How do you start? Here's an idea:

Spend time outside. It is impossible to meet people in your neighborhood if you remain behind closed doors all the time. You need to know their names too. “Bless Every Home” can help you with that.

Today, try this ONE THING. The next time you pull your car into the driveway - STOP before you rush inside, LOOK to see if any of your neighbors are outside. If they are, walk over and introduce yourself and apologize for never doing it before. It's a start. Next week we will get specific on how to be prepared for your neighborhood mission field.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Living Bible (TLB)

11 So encourage each other to build each other up, just as you are already doing.