Neighbors not yet known
There are some passages in the Bible that feel like they are part of our DNA: The story of Jesus’ birth; the crucifixion and resurrection narratives; even Noah’s tumultuous boat ride with a slew of animals. These stories are so much a part of our faith that most of us can’t even remember when we first heard them. In fact, when we hear these texts read in worship services or we come to them in our Bibles, we often gloss over them, sure that we already know all there is to know about them. In this week’s Gospel lectionary text, Mark’s account of Jesus discussing the Greatest Commandment with a scribe is one of these all-too-familiar passages for me. In this lesson, children will look at this common reading with fresh eyes, considering how they might deepen their understanding of love for their neighbors.
Starting off
Begin your time with the children by having them list the names of their neighbors. Then ask them what makes these people neighbors. What is a neighbor to them? Note that we often think of our neighbors as people who live in close proximity to us. These are usually people we can name and with whom we are at least acquaintances.
Next, ask the children who they think Jesus might have considered his neighbors. They likely will notice that Jesus lived a nomadic lifestyle or they may quickly realize that Jesus considered all people his neighbors. Encourage them to hold on to this definition of neighbor as you read aloud this Scripture passage.
Bible reading
Read aloud Mark 12:28-34. Note that if you are using a children’s Bible, it may include a version of one of the parallel Gospel readings (Matthew 22:36-40 or Luke 10:25-28). For the purposes of this lesson, you can use any of these readings.
After reading the passage, have the children recount the two commandments Jesus says are “first” and “second.” The first commandment is “the Lord our God, the Lord is one; you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength” (vv. 29-30). The second commandment is “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (v. 31). Ask the children to reflect on what they think each of these commandments means. What does it mean to love God with all of your heart, mind and strength? What does it mean to love your neighbor as yourself? What does each of these commandments look like in action? How do we or can we demonstrate each? Remind the children to consider neighbor using Jesus’ definition.
Relating the passage to our lives
Note that earlier in the lesson the children named the people they consider their neighbors. They know each of these people by name. However, there are likely neighbors in their community who they do not know well or are not even aware of.
Ask the children to share names or descriptions of people in their community who they have heard of but have not personally connected with. Then have them interview members of the congregation asking them to share names of people or groups of people who are part of the community but who the children might not know. Also, ask them to share what they know about new groups of people moving into the area. For instance, your community might be receiving refugees from Afghanistan or other areas facing turmoil. Or a new business or industry or housing development could be coming to your area.
Create a list of all of the groups of new or previously unknown neighbors on a piece of chart paper. Then, guide the children through writing a prayer for these neighbors. Have the children include their wishes for these people as well as a call to help them connect with the neighbors. In the coming weeks, revisit this prayer and this list, brainstorming ways that the children and the larger church community can show Christ’s love and care to these new neighbors.
Joelle Brummit-Yale is the director of children’s and youth ministries at Chapel in the Pines Presbyterian in Chapel Hill, N.C. When not at the church, she can usually be found at home with her son and husband caring for their many animals and developing their family homestead.
