The Blessing
Adventures in Neighboring
Overcoming Death for Your Neighbor
April 2, 2023 • Matt Holmes • Genesis 22
In Genesis 22, God gives Abraham a horrifying command: to sacrifice his son as an offering. Why did God make this demand of Abraham? What does it have to do with loving his neighbor? Can this story help us understand why Jesus had to die for us to truly love our neighbors?
Atoning With Your Neighbor
March 26, 2023 • Matt Holmes • Genesis 20
As Abraham nears the end of his mission, he makes an old mistake that brings a curse down on his neighbors instead of a blessing. How can Abraham's relationship with his neighbors be restored? The answer has to do with something called atonement: a misunderstood but essential element in loving our neighbors.
Protecting Your Neighbor
March 19, 2023 • Matt Holmes • Genesis 19:1–13
In one of the darkest chapters in the Biblical story, God sends two angels to investigate conditions in the wicked city of Sodom. When a crowd whipped up by hate and fear come to attack the angels, one righteous man must decide whether he will abandon his guests or try to protect them from the mob.
Interceding for Your Neighbor
March 12, 2023 • Matt Holmes • Genesis 18:22–33
In Genesis 18, God invites Abraham to help him decide what to do with Abraham's wicked, oppressive neighbors. Abraham has the chance to punish his enemies, but instead he and God come to a surprising conclusion about how to treat this ungodly neighbors...
Hosting Your Neighbor
March 5, 2023 • Matt Holmes • Genesis 16
In Genesis 16, Abraham is visited by three divine beings. By the end of the encounter, Abraham has received the blessing he's been waiting for all his life. What happened during that visit that was so important? Why did God suddenly decide to come to Abraham as a visitor, requesting his hospitality? Perhaps hospitality is more important than we realize?
Helping Your Neighbor
February 26, 2023 • Matt Holmes • Genesis 14
In Genesis 14, Abram's neighbors get themselves into serious trouble. These neighbors had looked down on Abram throughout his time in the Promised Land. How should Abram respond to their need? And what should he expect from them in return?
Fearing Your Neighbor
February 5, 2023 • Matt Holmes • Genesis 12:10–20
Loving your neighbor can be intimidating--especially when you don't know them. Abraham faced the same problem when he went to Egypt, and he made some big mistakes. Today we'll learn from Abraham's example how NOT to love your neighbor.
Blessing Your Neighbor
January 29, 2023 • Matt Holmes • Genesis 12:1–9
One day, a long time ago, God called a man out of Babylon and commanded him to go share a blessing with the world. What followed was a series of adventures--and misadventures--as God's people made their first attempts at their grand mission: to love their neighbors.