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Intentional Living

I need some practical ideas for reaching my neighbors for Christ. I want to be intentional about sharing Christ with the people in my sphere of influence. I want to love them like Christ does.

What are some practical ways of reaching my neighbors? My husband and I host a block party occasionally, but other than that, we rarely even see our neighbors. Sometimes I see a neighbor in her yard and make it a point to go get my mail at that time so I can say hi and be interested in her life. I want to develop those relationships more.

Any suggestions?

Tags: culture, evangelism, neighbors, reaching

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Permalink Reply by Scribe D'Nucov on January 23, 2008 at 9:28pm: M, great topic to explore. I'm no expert in this, but hospitality seems to be one of the best ways to reach out. The person who reached my wife and melted her heart for Christ was always having her over and just being a place of refuge.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by melissa on January 24, 2008 at 10:25am: Scribe, great tip. I've thought many times of bringing my neighbor into my house and just getting to know her better. She is going through a horrible divorce and their house is being foreclosed. I feel like she is hurting so much. Perhaps this would be a way for me to share Christ's love with her.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Dean Clark on February 9, 2008 at 8:49am: Melissa,
As you know AllAbouGod.com has been a great help launching www.MissionPossibleCards.com - Maybe the cards could be developed to address your desire.

I am developing a card right now that you can type your testimony or a series of stories/illustrations (up to five). I am partnering possibly with a Tract publisher to make the color backgrounds available for a low price. You would just have to print b/w text over a preprinted background.

Any interest...email me at: Dean@AllAboutGod.com
Visit www.MissionPossibleCards.com

God bless,
Dean; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Rachel on February 21, 2008 at 5:29am: I am a very practical person, I have come to find that the routines that we follow every day just doing normal stuff give so many opportunities to reach out. I think that we sometimes feel that we should invite people to us, but what if they don't come? I do things like, when I'm going to drop things off a goodwill, I check with others to see if they would like something I no longer need. When I'm in a person's home, I look around to see what their hobbies might include. If they have a lot of indoor plants, ask "how do I start one of my own?, where's the best place to put it?, how often should I water? You'll find that strangers will be so much more receptive when the feel as if they are contributing to something good. Depending on where you live, send the kids out to shovel the neighbors snow or mow grass. In grocery stores, mention to the cashier that you are greatful for God's provision for the things you need. Even if you walk away without everything you intended to get, be outwardly thankful for what you did get. Most of all, pray and ask God to open up avenues of communication, and then ask Him to give you the words to speak when it's time. Take the practical things you do everyday and embelish them with the word of life.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Mandy on February 21, 2008 at 4:40pm: Demonstrating the wonderful peace you have in your life because of Christ. Your outlook and attitude. Soon people will say " I really want to be happy like her, What is your secret?" Then you can explain that, I wasn't always this way. I use to be like......... But I have found out how unconditionally I am loved by God and now I am living like............. People will eventually want that same wonderful feeling that you have, and to know that there creator loves them unconditionally. As they get use to the idea of that then you can begin to delve deeper into telling them about Christ. But, people I find don't want to be preached to about it. But if they see how wonderful your life is; even though you suffer similar trials of life, they will want to be positive like you. Give them the blessed news that brings peace to all christians. Carry a smile with you always and a kind word or small kind act, to demonstrate. God Bless you in your work of witnessing to our wonderful God. Mandy; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Bob B on March 4, 2008 at 7:19am: I think we have to look at evangelism differently. This net and allaboutgod.com are reaching about 300 souls a day for christ. Key board evangelism wow. Years ago people had front yards, now they have back yards fenced in and they live in gated comunities. I think we have to be more creative than ever if we are going to reach our neighbors for Christ. A few years ago we invited a bunch of our neighbors to Thanksgiving dinner and out of it 2 people became born again. It was a sacrifice to do but it was fruitful.; ▶ Reply to This