Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away. (Proverbs 27:10b)
Your neighbors are those in proximity to you. The people who live on your street, work in your office, exercise in your gym, stand in the same line with you, etc. It’s not only good to love your neighbor, it’s best; not only right, but also wise. Proverbs has much to say about wisely relating to your neighbors. Here are the top four:
- 4. Be a good influence. Your character can be contagious.
- 3. Be financially free. Be generous, but don’t get financially entangled in their debts.
- 2. Be kind. Never hurt them. Rather be considerate and merciful toward them.
- 1. Be careful with words. Speak as positively as possible about them within the constraints of the truth.
Discussion Starters
- Take some time to catch up with one another.
- Pray together for God’s illuminating grace as you prepare to study the Word together.
- Who are your ‘neighbors’, those most often in proximity to you? (Could be people on your street, coworkers, etc.)
- Read the following selected Proverbs and discuss: What is the advice given? and What are some specific practical ways we can follow it? Then take some time to pray for one another.
- Proverbs 12:26 and 16:29
- Proverbs 6:1-5 and 22:7
- Proverbs 3:29
- Proverbs 25:17 and 27:14
- Proverbs 14:21
- Proverbs 21:10
- Proverbs 11:9-13 and 25:18
- Proverbs 29:5
