What If Jesus Meant Our Actual Neighbor?
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” Matthew 22:37-40
Most people are familiar with the Golden Rule: Treat others the way you would want to be treated. It is one of the most recognizable teachings of Christianity and serves as a foundation for how we interact with the world around us. At its core, the Golden Rule calls us away from selfishness and pushes us towards selflessness, compassion, empathy, and service to others.
Yet there is another question worth asking: What if Jesus meant we should love our actual neighbors?
When Jesus was asked to summarize God's commandments, He responded with two simple but powerful instructions: love God wholeheartedly and love your neighbor as yourself.
Over time, many of us have embraced these words in theory while overlooking their practical application. We display them on coffee mugs, bumper stickers, and church walls, but how often do we intentionally build relationships with the people living right next door?
What would happen if followers of Jesus took the Great Commandment literally?
What if loving our neighbors became more than a good idea and instead became a daily practice?
These are the very questions explored in The Art of Neighboring by Dave Runyon and Jay Pathak.
In this thought-provoking and practical book, the authors challenge readers to rethink what it means to be a good neighbor. They argue that while many people want to make a difference in their communities, they often overlook the people living closest to them. Through personal stories, biblical reflection, and practical steps, Runyon and Pathak show how meaningful relationships with neighbors can transform streets, neighborhoods, and entire communities.
The beauty of The Art of Neighboring is that it doesn't present loving your neighbor as an overwhelming task. Instead, it reminds us that genuine community often begins with simple conversations: learning someone's name, sharing a meal, offering support during difficult times, and showing up consistently. These small acts of connection create trust, friendship, and a stronger sense of belonging.
In a world where loneliness and division seem increasingly common, the book offers a refreshing reminder that community starts close to home. Before we can transform the world, we can begin by knowing and caring for the people who live around us. This theme aligns closely with the mission of building stronger, healthier, and more connected communities. When neighbors know one another, communities become more resilient. People are more likely to support one another, share resources, solve problems collaboratively, and experience a deeper sense of belonging.
That is why the Community Learning Collaborative has selected The Art of Neighboring for its upcoming Public Book Read.
This free community event will begin on Wednesday, October 14, and continue each Wednesday through November 4 at the HomeLab. Participants will have an opportunity to read, reflect, discuss ideas with others, and explore practical ways to strengthen connections within their own neighborhoods. Books will be provided for those who need one, and registration is required to reserve your seat.
Whether you are deeply involved in your neighborhood, looking to build new community connections, or simply curious about what it means to live out the Great Commandment in everyday life, the Public Book Read is an opportunity to learn alongside others and be inspired to take action.
Perhaps the solution to stronger neighborhoods is not as complicated as we think.
Perhaps it starts with knowing the names of the people next door.
And perhaps loving our neighbors as ourselves was never meant to be just a metaphor, but an invitation to action.
Use this link to reserve your spot!
"The Art of Neighboring" Public Book Read | Iowa Heartland Habitat for Humanity
Contact kjennings@webuildhabitat.org with any questions!
