50 Ways to Love Your Neighbor

As followers of Jesus, we’re called to love our neighbors. Read on for 50 ways to share the Gospel in your community by loving your neighbors:

In Your Home:

1. Commit to using your home for God’s glory. Hospitality can change someone’s life.
2. Have neighbors over regularly for dinner.
3. Host a backyard cookout and invite people you don’t know well.
4. Start a monthly coffee gathering outside your house before school.
5. Organize an annual neighborhood block party.
6. Set up a fire pit night and invite neighbors over for s’mores.

“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” – Ephesians 2:10

On Your Street:

7. Schedule regular walks to pray over your neighborhood.
8. Learn the names of the people who live around you.
9. Pray for your neighbors by name, then mention that you’re praying for them.
10. Next time you see a neighbor outside, stop for a short conversation.
11. Drop off coffee, cookies, produce, etc. just because.
12. When someone new moves in, be the first to knock on their door.
13. Shovel a driveway, rake leaves, or mow a lawn without being asked.
14. Start a neighborhood tool-sharing arrangement.
15. Pick up litter on your street or in your complex on a regular basis.
16. Coordinate a donation drive in your neighborhood.
17. Check on elderly neighbors, especially in the winter or extreme heat.
18. Stock a Little Free Library or Little Free Pantry in your neighborhood.
19. When you know a neighbor is traveling, offer to collect their mail, water their plants, or keep an eye on their home.
20. Start a neighborhood walking group.

“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” – Matthew 5:16

In Your Community:

21. Ask a local restaurant owner how you could bless their employees.
22. Organize a meal train for someone going through a hard season.
23. Volunteer to help someone with taxes, home repair, tutoring, childcare etc. for free.
24. Ask your local college how you can help serve international students.
25. Partner with a local school! Tutor a student, support a teacher, or help stock a classroom.
26. When dining out, ask your server if you can pray for them. Thank them genuinely for their service.
27. Tip generously.
28. Sit with someone at work or school who is eating alone.
29. Celebrate friends and neighbors publicly when they receive a promotion, graduate from school, have a new baby, etc.
30. Learn a few words in your neighbor’s first language if English isn’t their native tongue.
31. When someone shares a need, ask if you can pray for them right there.
32. Invite someone to church or a ministry event at Woodside.

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works.” – Hebrews 10:24

With Your Family:

33. Teach your children to live with a missional mindset.
34. As a family, designate someone in need to love and care for this year.
35. Have your kids pick gently used toys to give away to another child in need.
36. Make a “kindness kit” together (snacks, socks, a note) and deliver it as a family.
37. Have your kids write or draw cards for someone who is sick or grieving.
38. Coach a local youth sports team and get to know the families involved.
39. Host a game night for your kids’ friends and their families.
40. Open your yard on the weekends! Let your home be a gathering place.
41. Help your kids set up a lemonade stand.
42. Let your kids see you serving others. Have them help you when you do.

“As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” – Joshua 24:15

With Your Life Group:

43. Choose a street, apartment complex, or neighborhood and commit to praying over the people there for a season.
44. Collectively support a family in crisis or a single parent.
45. Partner with a local nonprofit for a day of service.
46. Organize a group-wide effort to care for the elderly.
47. Visit residents at a local nursing home or assisted living facility.
48. Host an “open table” dinner. Your group cooks and the neighborhood is invited.
49. Identify where your group already spends time (gym, coffee shop, park) and be intentional with your neighbors there.
50. Host a potluck and ask each group member invite someone in their circle who needs community.

“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” – Hebrews 13:16