Cast vision for who they can become in Christ or what God can do through them. For example:

• As Jesus went through all the towns and villages, he saw the needs of the people and had compassion on them. He said to his disciples, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field." (Matthew 9:35-38)

  ³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness.³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

  God wants all people to know Him and His love. He not only wants to use us but will also raise up more workers from the harvest we will reap. Let’s keep asking God to send more workers to lead people to know Him. As we go, let’s remember the Prayer-Care-Share lifestyle. The second great commandment says to “love your neighbor as you love yourself” (Matthew 22:39).

  ³⁹ And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’

  In an attempt to be simple and memorable we just say, “pray, care, and share.”

In this session we are teaching you another tool that you can use to share the gospel. Expanding your Oikos list is important and this could help you to do that.

• Utilize the Discovery Bible Study process.
  • Read: Luke 10:25-37
  • Discovery Discussion: What caught your attention and why?
  • Retell: Have people pair up and retell the story in their own words. (Retelling reinforces learning the Scriptures. It allows us to share God’s word more naturally where we live, work, learn, and play as we ask God to advance the mission through us.)
• Ask: Who is your neighbor? Who is overlooked in the community?
• If in a large group setting, ask 1 or 2 people to summarize what was discussed.
• In this parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus shows we are to love like He did, everyone - both near and far from us culturally. It’s more about being a neighbor like the Good Samaritan, expressing the love of Jesus to all He created, to people everywhere.

• Show the Art of Neighboring video: http://www.artofneighboring.com/
• Have group members discuss:
  • What caught your attention and why?
  • What habits or patterns can you change that puts you more around your neighbors?
• When reaching out to our neighbors, consider the “B.L.E.S.S. Strategy”:
  • B- Beseech. It begins with prayer for people in your Oikos Network. “God, how do you want me to bless the people in the places You’ve sent me to?”
  • L- Listen to them well. Don’t talk, but listen to people. Hear their struggles and pains. Consider that God sent you to them. Make a note of what you learn that will help you later.
  • E- Eat. Jesus ate with people all the time. It built the relationship. And even though Jesus didn't need anything from people, he let them feed him and he received their hospitality. Especially when you're crossing cultures, it's a big deal to show someone you're willing to be in their space and their world.
  • S- Serve. If you listen to people and eat with them, they will tell you how to love them, and you’ll know how to serve them. As you serve them, remember they are peers. People who reflect Imago Dei, just like you. They are not your projects.
  • S- Sometime. As you listen, look for an opportunity to ask, “Sometime, I’d like to hear about your spiritual journey. Would you be up for that?" This can open the door. Remember, learning to ask good questions and becoming good listeners are keys to unlocking authentic conversations with people about their hopes, dreams, struggles, and what they think about God.

• Discuss: How can you reach your neighbors, both near and far?
• Facilitator, here is a list of ideas worth considering, as you prepare for this vital discussion (the goal is to cast vision and inspire, not fully train). You will have to take more time outside of this session to help your group plan something well. Also, note that some of these resources are in the Appendix:
  • Story of the Soul event in your neighborhood ○ International Culture Evening - with food, dress, holidays, idioms, dance, customs used to share a person’s culture
  • What city well-being events are being hosted by your partners or church that you could join?
  • Visit public schools, community development organizations, and refugee agencies to discover what you can do with your neighbors to make the city a better place to live.
  • Host a parenting event/discussion in the neighborhood.
  • Is there an ethnic-specific grocery store you can start a habit of visiting once a week?
  • Is there a different park you can start to take your kids to play?
• Review the following neighboring event resources and discuss what they might want to do.
  • Block Party Kit
  • Christmas teas or parties:
  • Prayer strategy for your neighborhood: Bless Every Home
  • Online Neighboring toolkit (Covid19 helped the church see the need for online training readiness. This tool is relevant for any restrictive season in the future):
  • Other ideas: Super Bowl parties, cookouts, and game nights
• Discuss what resonated with group members. Ask: “What did you think about the ideas we mentioned?” or “What other ideas have you tried, or heard others trying?”

• Have participants meet with their accountability partner and plan setting up a neighboring event. Use the the hyperlinks in Activity #3 above (Neighboring Events) to help plan an individual or group event and include setting dates, deciding type of event, invitation list, etc.
• Use the Art of Neighboring Event Resource in the Appendix, and consider creating a strategy with a group of 3 or more people to reach neighbors in your community

We will be celebrating what God has done at our next meeting. In your time with God, reflect on our time together and think through what you might want to share. You may want to share stories of changed lives, spiritual conversations, decisions for Christ, how we’ve grown spiritually, or major take-aways from sessions and from the Word of God, etc.