Getting to know your neighbors

Getting to know your neighbors isn’t as easy as it used to be, especially if you live in the suburbs. The spacing between houses can be wide; few people sit on their front porches, go for walks, etc. Additionally, many people can just drive straight into their garage shutting the door behind without you ever laying an eye on them. So, how do you get to know someone like that?

Start with having the attitude of just loving and serving your neighbors and being a person that’s authentic. From there, the following are some ideas for getting to know your neighbors and/or building relationships with them.

1. Prayer. Specifically, take prayer walks in your neighborhood. Pray for each house as you pass. Ask the Lord to open doors (garage doors and otherwise!) to people’s hearts. Pray you bump into people as you go. Oddly enough, the more you are seen by others the less of a “threat” you become to them.

2. Be outside. Put yourself in a position to bump into folks. Whether it’s with your kids, doing yard work, etc, make that part of your plan. Inevitably, the adults will poke their heads out their doors to get their mail, see what their kids are doing, take their garbage to the curb, walk their dog. It’s a great opportunity to introduce yourself.

3. Throw a block party. Have a cookout and invite the closest 15-20 homes to yours. For details, see the neighborhood block party idea. You may want to do a few throughout the year. Maybe have one to “kick off the fall” or one to “splash into summer”. One of my favorites is to do a “dessert” around Christmas time having everyone bring their favorite dessert. (see post on “Christmas Bonfire” post for a invitation template to use) Maybe do it around a bonfire in your backyard with smores for kids and games they participate in. Maybe get a friend who plays guitar or violin to lead you all in some Christmas carols. Have name tags. Have a list where people can share their email or cell phone if they want in case they ever have a need.

4. Cookouts in general. Invite a specific family over on a Saturday afternoon for a cookout. They’re less formal than a dinner. Don’t have to dress up. You’re usually outside and therefore people feel more comfortable not having to go into your house. It’s a short time commitment. Offer people your number and/or email. Invite them to call you if they ever need anything. Hopefully they’ll do the same. By doing so you have a better chance at keeping the relationship going. See 5, 6 below.

5. Borrowing tools, ingredients. Generally speaking, i believe people want to help people in need. Asking your neighbor for the cup of sugar or to borrow their tall ladder gives them something to feel good about for themselves. This type of borrowing builds familiarity and trust and good will.

6. “Get you something at the store?” If you have their number and you’re on the way to the store, shoot them a quick text saying, “hey, I’m on the way to the store, just thought I’d ask if you need anything.” Mom’s with small children will especially appreciate this. Again, this is just a way to stay connected with your neighbors.

7. Look for needs. If there are elderly people in your neighborhood think about rolling their trash can back to their house for them. If you notice a single mom, offer to watch her kids for an hour while she run some errands. If they let you know they’re going to be out of town, offer to cut their grass or get their mail or pick up their newspaper.

9. Show a movie in your backyard. Put invitations in people’s mailboxes. Show a disney or kid friendly film. Put up a big white sheet and borrow a projector/speakers from your church. Serve hot chocolate or popsicles or whatever is appropriate for the time of year.

These are just a few things you can do to love and serve your neighbor and hopefully get to know them better. Hopefully this will eventually allow you “inside” their lives a little bit more and give you an opportunity to bring up the gospel, your spiritual journey, etc. Regardless, the Lord still calls us to love and serve them so make that your main goal.