INTRODUCE: Mr. Rogers sang a song asking many people to be his neighbor. Why would he have wanted YOU to be his neighbor?

READ: Luke 10:29-35, Genesis 1:27-28, Romans 13:8

PRAYER: Begin the time by praying together. Read together Isaiah 65:17-25

DISCUSS
1. How do you “do good” when the way to help is unclear? What makes knowing how to help seem unclear?
2. In looking back at ways in which you have helped others, when were you considering providing “help” that could have (or did) foster dishonesty, erode work ethic, or deepen the dependency of a person in need? In short, share about an experience you’ve had when helping that actually seemed like it could have hurt.
3. What do you see when you see someone in need? Give a specific example of how you have found yourself responding when seeing someone in need.
4. Read Proverbs 22:7. What are some ways in which you have seen the dignity of a person in need being eroded as they were being given help? What are some practical ways in which we can make certain that we are not eroding dignity of people we reach out to help by making them feel indebted to us?
5. Discuss Robert Lupton’s quote, “Limit one-way giving to emergency situations.” Why do you think he recommends this? Why can the idea of exchange and mutuality be so difficult to implement?
6. Read James 2:5. What are there some reasons why it can be difficult to see some people created in the image of God? Discuss ways to overcome this.

PRAY: Thank you, my Father, for creating ALL in your image. Please help me to see that in everyone that I see. I desire to help others around me by honoring their dignity and value. Please give me the words and actions that do just that. Amen

SHARE AND PRAY:
- Share one need for which you would like prayer today.
- Take time to pray for one person at a time
- Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your time
- Listen to the Lord for guidance in how to pray for one another….and then pray

Suggested Books: Toxic Charity by Robert Lupton and The Poor Will be Glad by Greer & Smith