The Innkeeper in the story of the Good Samaritan tended to the physical needs of the man the Samaritan brought to him. As a neighborhood Innkeeper, you are one who will touch the hearts of people with God’s healing balm. If difficult times come, whether economically, a natural disaster or some other crisis, you may find you need to connect with your neighbors, especially if travel is difficult. It may be especially important to develop relationship with other Christians in your neighborhood.
With today's Christians being a mixture of those who attend a wide range of denominations, or non-denominational, churches, along with those who don’t attend church at all, how do we unite while still allowing for some diversity in the body of Christ? We won't find unity through trying to make everyone be like us, but by accepting and loving our brothers and sisters in Christ, allowing for differences, yet not compromising our core belief in Jesus Christ.
There are ways you can help connect the people in your neighborhood who are of various Christian beliefs by focusing on your common beliefs rather than your areas of differences. You might want to start with a prayer walk through your neighborhood. By simply walking through your neighborhood, praying for your neighbors, you'll find you also learn a lot about your neighborhood--who lives around you, what projects they might have going on, etc. It's a great precursor to starting a group and a way to get some ideas from the Lord.
Consider one of these following formats for developing relationships with those in your neighborhood. Keep in mind these could be groups for kids or adults.
• A study of local history
You all live in the same neighborhood. Do some research to find out who were the prior owners of the property of your neighborhood. Find interesting facts about their lives if you can. You could do the research yourself, create a short printed summary and pass it out to your neighbors with an invitation to do further research together, or invite them to a Christian-based study of the constitution, U.S. history or the history of Israel. Resources...
• Photo Scrapbook Group
Print some photos! So much of the photo history of our lives are computerized now. People are getting away from printed photos. We still need them because it’s too easy to lose photos that are stored electronically. Form a neighborhood scrapbook group so you each create a photo book that tells your family history. Resources...
• An autobiography writing group
Everyone needs to tell their story! Invite your neighbors to come together over snacks or a meal and take turns discussing a portion of your autobiography that you write between meetings. When finished you will all have a written story of your life and testimony that can be passed on to your children or future generations. Resources...
• Classic Book Club
Begin your own library of classic literature and form a neighborhood book club. Choose a book to read, then come together to discuss it, either at certain points throughout the book or at the end of the book. There are many classic books that are stories, whether fictional or true, of the lives of those with faith in God. We can learn and be inspired from their stories. Resources...
• Nature Study Group or Garden Club
How well do you know the trees and plants growing in your yard or near your home? Form a study group and research the unique attributes and practical uses of the plants in your neighborhood. An example of how to do this might be to have each one in the group choose one tree or plant in their yard, or close by their home, research it and share it with the others at a meeting. It doesn’t matter if two or more people choose the same one, compare notes which helps to validate your research. Determine edible wildlife in your area that could be useful in emergency situations. Consider the idea of planting forest farms or community gardens. Resources...
• Learn a Skill or Craft
Learn from the expertise of your group in developing various skills like canning, seed harvesting, knitting, candle making etc. Take turns teaching a skill to each other.
• Emergency Prep/Survival Skills
In times of emergency those in your neighborhood can be your best friends or worst enemies. Developing relationships now before a crisis hits, may be a wise thing to do. Help each other plan how to care for their own families, as well as what the neighborhood could do together in an emergency. Topics such as food storage, sources of water, water purification and sanitation are a good start. Resources...
• Neighborhood Bible Study or Prayer group
If you are like-minded enough in your beliefs then a Bible study is a wonderful way to connect with your neighbors. Or form a prayer group to pray for each other, the families or community. Resources...
• Art Group
Coming together to create art is a good way to form relationships and tap into your creative nature at the same time. Resources...
