At New Covenant, we regularly reference 1 Thessalonians 2:8 and the challenge found there:

“Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”

That verse seems especially applicable in February, doesn’t it? It is the month of love, after all: a time when hearts are tuned to express love and admiration for those around us. “Because we loved you so much” is stated right there in the verse.

Loving our neighbors — or 2:8 Neighboring, as you’ve probably heard it called at church — often isn’t complicated, and it doesn’t need to be extravagant. We can speak volumes about the loving God we serve in even the simplest of gestures.

We asked a few people in the New Covenant church family to share their favorite ways to show God’s love to their neighbors, and we love the intentionality in 2:8 Neighboring that rings true with each example.

Maybe the simple ideas shared here will inspire you to take the bold first step to start a conversation with a neighbor or to invest even more in an existing relationship. But most importantly, we hope you’ll ask God to increase your capacity for loving your neighbors and then follow wherever He leads.

• A woman in my MOPS group is on bed rest until her babies arrive. I reached out to several other moms to put together a gift bag of snacks, puzzles, adult coloring books, word searches, crossword puzzles and even frozen meals to be delivered to her house. She was so grateful to know we are here for her! —Kylea

• A friend was recovering from COVID and was not yet able to shovel his driveway. So I threw my snowblower in the truck and went to his house to clear his snow. It was fun to bless his family. —Gregg
  
  
• A few months ago, one of the ladies in my small group picked up small bouquets of flowers at Walmart and gave one to each member of the group. It was a delightful pop of color in the cold winter. It inspired me to do the same. —Johanna
  
  
• When I’m going to the store, I try to text a neighbor or two to see if there is anything I can pick up for them. It provides a quick opportunity for conversation and conveys love and care. —Candace
  
  
• Our family has a heart for our elderly neighbors but the pandemic, combined with the winter months, has made getting together with them difficult. We engage them in conversation whenever we can. And of course, baked goods with a homemade card from the kids is always warmly received! —Jenn