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Neighborly Love: Rebuilding Community in a Disconnected World (Ep 102)
Episode 102 • 20th February 2025 • My Ministry Mission • Jason McConnell
00:00:00 00:25:18

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In this episode I would like to explore how Jesus has commanded us to love our neighbors, and lets talk about what that looks like in today’s world. Let’s see if we can answer the question, “How can we reclaim a sense of community?” and not just in our neighborhood, but also in our churches, our work places, and just our everyday lives.

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References to Bible Verses:

Mark 12:30-31; Luke 10:25-37; Romans 13:8-10; Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:24-25; Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; Galatians 6:9-10; 1 Peter 4:8-9; Matthew 5:14-16

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Transcripts

Introduction

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Jason: Thank you for listening and welcome to the podcast. I'm your host, Jason McConnell.

The Changing Nature of Community

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Jason: Have you ever stopped to think about how much the world has changed when it comes to the way we interact with our neighbors? There was a time when knowing the people next door wasn't just common, it was essential.

Community wasn't just a convenience, it was a way of life. In this episode, I would like to explore how Jesus has commanded us to love our neighbors. And let's talk about what that looks like in today's world. Let's see if we can answer the question, How can we reclaim a sense of community? And not just in our neighborhood, but also in our churches, our workplaces, and just our everyday lives.

Let's see what scripture teaches us about loving our neighbor and why it should matter more than ever.

Personal Reflections on Parenting

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Jason: I have been going to the Renaissance Festival for decades. I mean, if you haven't noticed, I'm a big nerd. And I've been taking my daughter since she was about four years old. She's fourteen now, so she's been going for a decade herself.

And we just recently went to the Arizona Renaissance Festival. Now, we've taken her friends with us before, and we usually just navigate the Renfest together, getting food, watching shows, shopping for fun stuff together, going to the petting zoo, just enjoying the atmosphere. But this year was a little different.

This year, she and her friend eventually kind of broke off from the group and did their own thing for most of the day. And I did my thing with a couple of my friends that I met there. It was a defining moment in this adventure that we call life because she's growing in her independence. Pulling away from the parental figures, and becoming her own person, and these are all good things.

They're all normal things. So why did I feel so bad about it? My little RenFest buddy is exerting her independence and showing me once again that she needs me less and less. And for a parent, it's a painful reminder that if we actually do our job right, if we do it well, suffer a broken heart. I will always carry the memory of her taking her first breath in this world, saying her first word, standing up and walking for the first time, riding her bike with no training wheels.

All of these memories of her being this tiny little thing that needed her dad so much will always be rooted Into the core of who I am as a dad in this world. It's really hard to accept that she's growing up. It's hard to accept that I have maybe three more Christmases in this particular season of our lives together.

It's hard to accept that she's going to be on the way to driving in a little over a year. It's hard to accept that in a few short years, she will be a legal adult. One day she won't be living with us and I know that day is going to sneak up on me Just like the last time I read her a bedtime story Nobody warned me that this would be the most difficult part of this God given gift of being a parent nobody warned me and the only thing I can do is trust that God has her And let her step away and be her own person.

I mean, I'll always be there I know I have this I have to lay this sorrow and the sadness at the foot of the cross and I believe That jesus is with her and this really has nothing to do with my topic today But it was a heaviness that was on my heart and I wanted to share it with you the listeners And that being said let's get on to our regularly scheduled podcast.

Lessons from Little House on the Prairie

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Jason: I was recently watching little house on the prairie And I know I'm an old fogey, but there was this episode that really kind of stood out to me. This family had just arrived in town after traveling probably days, maybe weeks through treacherous terrain in a small, bumpy covered wagon with their children.

No less. Now, you would think after such a long and difficult journey, their first priority would be to go settle into their new home, unload their belongings and get some well deserved rest. But instead, instead, they made it a point to stop by the Ingalls house first, just to say hello, just to meet their neighbors.

They didn't know them yet, they didn't, but they understood that building this relationship was just as important as putting a roof over their heads. And that got me thinking, how different things are today. I mean, back then, even if families were a few miles apart, they still made the effort to connect.

Now, we live just feet from our neighbors. Yet, many of us can't even say their names. If someone moves in next door, we might not even realize it unless we happen to catch the moving truck in their driveway or see a different car parked there. So my question for you is this. Do you know the names of your neighbors?

How many of them? When was the last time you had a real conversation with them? Not just a wave from the driveway, but a meaningful connection. And just for the record, the Ingalls did more than just say hello, they invited these strangers to share a warm meal with them. This got me thinking about this topic more, and I know I've touched on this before in other episodes.

But it's one of those foundational truths that we really need to keep coming back to.

Biblical Command to Love Your Neighbor

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,:

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. I want you to think about that for just a second. Jesus took all the laws, there was over 600 of them, all the laws, all the instructions given to God's people and boiled them down to two things, love God, love people.

And what's interesting is that he doesn't separate the two, and what I mean by that is this, loving our neighbors is directly tied to loving God. If we claim to follow Christ, then loving others isn't optional. It's evidence of our faith. And naturally someone out there might be asking the question, Who exactly is my neighbor?

The Parable of the Good Samaritan

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Jason: And that's where Jesus tells us one of his most famous parables found in Luke, Chapter 10, verses 25 through 37, the parable of the Good Samaritan. I know that seems like a weird stretch, but hear me out. We all know the story. A man is attacked, beaten, and left for dead on the side of the road. A priest walks by and does nothing.

A Levite, someone trained in the law of God, walks by and ignores him. But then a Samaritan, someone the Jews considered an outsider, stops. He doesn't just check on the man, he bandages his wounds. He puts him on his own donkey and takes him to an inn and even pays for his care. Jesus ends the parable with a simple but powerful question.

And this is where the tie in comes in. Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers? And the answer is obvious, the one who showed him mercy. And the takeaway is clear, being a neighbor isn't about proximity. It's not just the person living next door, or the co worker in the next cubicle.

It's anyone we encounter who is in need, anyone God places in our path. Loving our neighbors isn't about convenience, it's about choosing to care, even when it costs us something. And Paul echoes this idea in Romans 13, verses 8 through 10, where he writes, Let no debt remain outstanding except the continuing debt to love one another for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law The commandments you shall not commit adultery.

You shall not murder. You shall not steal. You shall not covet and whatever Other commands there may be are summed up in this one command Love your neighbor as yourself love does no harm to a neighbor Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law when we love our neighbors wolf We are fulfilling God's law now by following a checklist by living out his heart for people It's through kindness through relationship building through everyday acts of love that we foster Real community.

Here's the challenge How often do we go out of our way to love our neighbor? Not just in words, but in actions. Do we take time to notice the need around us? Or do we, like the priest and the Levite, walk by on the other side? I know I'm guilty of it. It's easy to get caught up in our lives, our own responsibilities, our own little worlds.

But Jesus calls us to something greater, a life that reflects his love to everyone around us. And that starts with one simple but powerful step, choosing to see our neighbors and loving them as he does.

Building True Community

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Jason: Now, isn't it interesting to think about how much has changed when it comes to community? Not that long ago, if you wanted to talk to someone, you had to physically go to their house, knock on their door, and have a conversation face to face.

If someone was sick or struggling, the whole town knew about it. Not out of gossip, but because people were genuinely caring for each other. They would show up with food offered to help with chores or just sit and be present. Now we live in a world more connected, quote unquote, connected than ever. We can send a text message within seconds, video chat someone across the world and see what our friends are up to on social media without.

ever actually talking to them. But despite all of these advancements, we have never been more isolated. Many of us don't even know the names of the people who live right next door. But the Bible paints a very different picture of what community should look like. In Acts 2, verses 42 through 47, we see one of the most beautiful descriptions of the early church.

They devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching. And to fellowship, to breaking of bread, and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who was in need.

Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. I mean, this picture, this picture is deep.

It's, it's intentional fellowship. These believers weren't just attending a weekly service and calling it good, they were living life together. They shared meals, they prayed for one another, they met each other's need, they worshipped side by side, and because of that strong sense of community, people were drawn to the faith.

They saw the love of Christ in action. So what happened? Why don't we live this way anymore? I think part of the reason is that we've Become comfortable with surface level versions of connection. We settle for a quick interaction instead of deep relationship. We convince ourselves that hitting like on a friend's post is the same as checking in on them.

But biblical community requires more than that. It requires showing up, being present, and putting in the effort. 25 reminds us of this very responsibility. And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day approaching.

We weren't meant to do life alone. We need encouragement. We need accountability. We need people who will walk beside us in our faith journey, who will change us and challenge us to grow, celebrate with us in times of joy, and lift us up in times of struggle. And let's be honest, life is a struggle sometimes.

I talked about it in my intro. Maybe there's a tie in. There will be moments when we feel overwhelmed, when we face hardships we never saw coming. And that's why Ecclesiastes 4 verses 9 through 12 speaks so powerfully about the strength of community. Two are better than one because they have good return for their labor.

If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three stands is not quickly broken. This is the kind of community we are called to build.

One where no one is left behind to struggle alone. Where people step in to help, they support, and encourage each other. But that kind of community doesn't just happen on accident, it requires us to be intentional. So, I want to challenge you with this question. What kind of community are you cultivating?

Are you investing in relationships? Are you just passing by? Are you making the effort to check in on people, invite them into your life, and truly be there for them? Or are you too busy, too distracted, and too comfortable in your own routine? Are you engaged with people around you, or are you just hitting the like button?

The truth is community isn't just about what we get from it. It's about what we give to it. And when we step up When we choose to be the kind of neighbors and the kind of friends and the kind of children and the kind of parents God calls us to be, we create something powerful, something that reflects His love to the world.

So what's next? We've talked about the biblical call to love our neighbors and the power of true community, but now let's get, let's get real, let's get practical.

Practical Steps to Rebuild Connections

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Jason: How do we actually rebuild those connections in today's world? What can we do right now to create the kind of neighborly relationships that reflect God's love?

Well, the good news is it doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes small actions have a huge impact. Start small. Start with simple acts of kindness. One of the easiest ways to connect with your neighbors is by simply being kind. We have to underestimate how much a small gesture can mean. Something as simple as smiling and saying hello when you see them outside.

Don't just wave from your patio or your, your driveway. Go over there and say hello. Offer to help carry groceries. Help them with their, their taking their trash out. It doesn't matter. Just get out there and be a part of it. In Galatians 6, 9 through 10, Paul reminds us, Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially those who belong to the family of believers. We are called to do good whenever we have the opportunity, and that means sometimes we have to be intentional about creating those opportunities. So here's another challenge. Next time you see your neighbor, don't just walk by.

Stop and engage. Ask them how they're doing. Even a short conversation can open doors for deeper relationships down the road. Practice hospitality. I mean, hospitality is one of the most powerful ways we can reflect Christ's love. And the thing is, hospitality isn't about having a perfect home or serving a gourmet meal.

It's about making people feel welcome and valued. 1 Peter 4, verses 8 and 9 tells us, Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Hospitality is a biblical calling, but in today's fast paced culture, it's becoming a lost practice.

We don't often invite people into our homes anymore. We convince ourselves that our space isn't clean enough, or our schedule is too packed. But true hospitality isn't about impressing people, it's about Making space for them. So here's some ideas, here's some suggestions to practice hospitality. Invite your neighbor over for coffee or tea.

Host a simple backyard gathering. Nothing fancy, just an open invite to connect. Maybe a, a barbecue or something. If you're making a big meal, make some extra. Bring it to a neighbor who might need it. Bake a few extra cookies to share with the neighbor. And I make a ton of fudge around Christmas, and I love sharing it with my neighbors.

I give it to everyone I can find. Get with a few neighbors and organize a potluck or a block party. You might even check in with your city because where I live, they will provide additional resources and funds to do block parties to build community. If you have an elderly neighbor, check in on them periodically and see if they're doing okay, if they need anything.

Invite a neighbor to join you in a Bible study, and most importantly, pray for your neighbors. Sometimes the best way to break the ice is to offer something first, whether it's a meal, a listening ear, or just a few minutes of your time. Just be a light in your neighborhood. In Matthew 5, verses 14 through 16, Jesus tells us, You are the light of the world.

A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on a stand and give, and that gives light to everybody in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

This means our presence in our neighborhoods should make a difference. We're called to shine, to be known for our kindness, our generosity, our willingness to help. But to do that, we have to be visible. How many of us spend most of our times indoors scrolling through phones disconnected from the people just outside the door?

I struggle with this because I work at home, and I have to be intentional about leaving my house. But what if instead we started to be more present? So here's some more suggestions about being a light in your community. Take walks in your neighborhood and greet people along the way. Just say hello to random people.

If you have kids, encourage them to play outside and interact with other families. Get them off the computers and the playstations and the everything. Just get them off, get them outside. Touch grass. Find ways to surf. Offer to mow a neighbor's lawn, shovel snow, or watch their pets while they're away.

Carpool with the neighbor for errands, church, or even school drop offs. Or just be a listening ear. These things may seem small, but they communicate something powerful. I see you. I care about you. And in a world where people often feel invisible, that can make a huge difference. Here's the deal, though. One of the biggest reasons relationships don't grow is because we don't follow up.

We might have a great conversation with a neighbor one day, but if we don't nurture that connection, it fades away. Relationships take effort and they require consistency. If you meet a new neighbor, don't, don't let that first meeting be the last. Check in on them, invite them to something, or even just send a text if you're exchanged numbers.

It's easy to assume that people are too busy or don't want to be bothered, but the truth is most people want connections. They're just waiting for someone to take the first step. Jesus constantly met people's needs. That's another important part of it. Both physically and spiritually he met their needs.

As his followers were called to do the same. Sometimes that means looking beyond the surface and noticing when someone is struggling. Maybe again, there's an elderly neighbor who needs help with errands. Maybe there's a single parent who could use a break. Maybe someone just lost their job and could use a little encouragement.

It's not always about. Big things. In fact, it rarely is. It's about being available and willing to help whenever you can.

Final Thoughts and Challenges

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Jason: And here's my final challenge for you. Take the first step. I really want to challenge you today. Take one step towards rebuilding your community in your own neighborhood. Maybe that means introducing yourself to someone you've never talked to.

Maybe it means inviting someone over for a meal. Maybe it's as simple as looking up from your phone and engaging the people around you. Maybe it's And wait for it walking across the street to say hello and i i make fun of that but i have the same problem i live in this world too and i struggle with this too this podcast episode is as much for me as it is for you a reminder that i need to get out there more.

Loving our neighbors isn't, it's not always easy. It takes effort. It requires us to step out of our comfort zones, and that's a big part of it. But when we do, we reflect Christ's love in a tangible way. If you're looking, looking for some ideas on how to engage your neighbors and spread the gospel, I'd actually suggest you go get the book until the whole world knows a guide to sharing Jesus for the introvert extrovert and Jesus freak written by two of my favorite authors, Rick and Jane McKinney.

I'll drop a link to the book in the show notes. And if you're interested in hearing about the book directly from them, check out episode 58 of my podcast sharing Jesus with Rick and Jane McKinney. I'll drop a link to that in the show notes as well. But this is what it's all about. It's not just being friendly for the sake of it, but showing the love of Jesus in a world that desperately needs it.

Conclusion

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Jason: As I finish up this episode, I want you to consider this. Your neighbors probably want a better community as well, but God has placed it on us as Christians to step out into that uncomfortable space of talking to strangers. It doesn't have to be crazy. Just say hello. Introduce yourself to a neighbor you haven't met yet.

Maybe a quick hello, a small act of kindness, or even an invitation to chat. Follow up with your neighbors that you've already met. Make sure you exchange phone numbers. Don't let that conversation die with just hello. Understand that community doesn't just happen. It takes effort, and it starts with us.

Let's be the light in our neighborhoods showing christ's love in a way in the way that we reach out to others So until next time keep loving your neighbors dive into God's word daily and may the lord bless you and keep you and fill you With his peace take care God bless and i'll see you in the next episode

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