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Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:30,31 NIV

What would happen if we got better at the two things Jesus said mattered most?

Five practices of neighboring:
(Adapted from The Neighboring Church, Rick Rusaw & Brian Mavis)

1. Reveal Answer
   
   Let’s love our neighbors by getting to know them (Jeremiah 29:4-7)
   

2. Reveal Answer
   
   Let’s love our neighbors by praying for them (Matthew 5:44)

3. Reveal Answer
   
   Let’s love our neighbors by offering hospitality (Romans 12:13; Matt. 11:19

4. Reveal Answer
   
   Let’s love our neighbors by meeting their needs (1 John 3:17)

5. Reveal Answer
   
   Let’s love our neighbors by sharing Christ with them (1 Thess. 2:8)
   
   The two barriers:
   Reveal Answer
   and
   Reveal Answer
   
   

Do it today:
• Join an Explore God small group: tlc.org/smallgroups
• Serve neighbors by volunteering through our Connect Expo in the lobby
• Fill in the “neighbor chart” and begin those five steps!

Prepare for November:
• Save now for this Fall’s Food Drive

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. Read Luke 10:25-37. Verse 29 says the teacher of the law “wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘Who is my neighbor?’” In what ways do you attempt to justify yourself to avoid taking the command to love your neighbors seriously?

2. What do you think might happen if every Jesus-follower in Santa Cruz knew and befriended their literal neighbors?

3. Read Mark 12:29-31. Pray that God will help you live out this verse. With that in mind, fill in your “neighbor chart” and begin those five practices of neighboring today!

NEIGHBOR CHART

LIFE AT TLC

TODAY
CONNECT EXPO – This weekend, after the services • Check out the tables in the lobby to learn how you can volunteer in different ministries at TLC!

IN ONE WEEK
TLC’S ‘50 YEARS IN APTOS’ ANNIVERSARY
Next weekend 9/16 & 17, all services • Come celebrate with a family reunion lunch, special sermon and musical numbers, and so much more!

IN TWO WEEKS
‘EXPLORE GOD’ SMALL GROUPS
This 7-week sermon series and small group study begins 9/16 & 17. Join a small group to dig deeper, ask questions, and meet new people! tlc.org/smallgroups

IN ONE MONTH
BEACH BAPTISM – Sunday, Oct 8 • Next baptism classes: Sept. 30 / OCt 1 after services. Email adrian@tlc.org.

Need help? tlc.org/help
Need prayer? tlc.org/prayer
To give: tlc.org/give