5 Ways to Love Your Neighbor

How do we effectively love our neighbors? Why does it feel so awkward and uncomfortable at times? Jesus commanded us to love our neighbors as we love ourselves, but what does that look like practically? It’s different in different cultures, but some things are true in all contexts.

I recently interviewed Dave Ferguson about his recent book B.L.E.S.S. Watch the full one hour interview below.

B.L.E.S.S. stands for:

• Begin with prayer,
• Listen,
• Eat,
• Serve,
• Story.

Prayer is the foundation of everything we do. Dave talks about the importance of making a list of people you pray for regularly by name.

Listening is so very important! We all need to develop and grow in our listening skills and ability to ask good questions! Jesus did this often and so must we.

Eating with people grows our relationships and takes it to another level. It opens up the opportunity for us to learn more about them and go deeper in our friendships.

Dave said in the interview, as you build the relationship, “People will tell you how you can serve them.” Jesus came to seek and save the lost. He also said He came to serve. Let’s follow His example.

Sharing your story is also part of blessing our neighbors. There comes a point in the relationship where people will ask you more about yourself, or it will feel natural to share your story. That is not to say you never just share with strangers, but we listen to the Holy Spirit and watch for opportunities to share. To not open our mouths to share about Jesus with those we say we want to bless is not loving. Let’s ask God for boldness and opportunity to take that step as the relationship develops.

Let’s be a blessing to those around us. Look for ways you can bless your neighbors this week by praying for them, inviting them for a meal, listening to neighbors talk about what matters to them, serving them, or sharing your story with them. As we bless those around us, God will use us to share His love and His story as well.

Download a free chapter of Dave’s book or find out more here https://www.bless-book.org/.

What will you do this week to love and bless those around you?

Let us know in the comments below or on the DMMs Frontier Missions Facebook group.