From the Law of Moses into the New Testament and all the way through to small group discussions in 2023, a common question arises: who is my neighbor?

Sometimes, like the rich young ruler who wanted to justify himself in Mark 10, we ask the question in order to feel good about how much we’re already doing. At other times, we may ask from a place of genuine care and curiosity or a sense of overwhelm.

On a new episode of Viral Jesus, author and speaker Shannan Martin encourages listeners to think about engaging in neighbor love with the simplest of starts: intentionally acknowledging our own experiences of loneliness, and simply saying “hello” to the people around us.

For Shannan, this looks like asking herself what it might mean to facilitate connection in her neighborhood where there’s a plurality of languages, ethnic backgrounds, and beliefs. What might it look like for you?

As we consider how to identify and love our neighbor, may we find and facilitate rich community that brightens our lives, serves our neighbors, and glorifies God.