The vision of The Ridge is to bring the hope of Jesus to every home. After Jesus rose from the dead, he told his disciples to "Go and make disciples." This series, 5 Ways to Love Your Neighbor, will equip you to go and make disciples with your neighbors. BLESS is an acronym that stands for Begin with Prayer, Listen, Eat, Serve, and Story. BLESS will help you get off the sidelines and remove some of the obstacles and awkwardness associated with sharing your faith. As you live out the BLESS practices, God will use you to make a big difference in your neighbor’s life.
COMMIT TO BLESSING YOUR NEIGHBORS
Take our summer challenge by texting "BLESS" to 414-509-0339. Download our bookmark reminder to keep on hand as a visible commitment to blessing your neighbors.
POCKET GUIDE
This pocket guide will help you live the grand story of God’s mission by equipping you with the five simple practices of BLESS.
SUMMER BLESS CHALLENGE
Take the challenge to commit to blessing your neighbor by texting BLESS to 414-509-0339. Throughout summer, you will receive 1-2 texts a week from The Ridge to equip and inspire you. (Message and data rates may apply. The Ridge will purge your information once texting cues are completed.)
FIND YOUR ONE
Are you ready to BLESS your neighbor?
BOOKS
B.L.E.S.S. - 5 Everyday Ways to Love Your Neighbor and Change the World
By Dave Ferguson and Jon Ferguson
When you’ve been transformed by God’s love, you can’t help but want others to experience the same grace and freedom. But what if there was a more organic, more authentic way to share your faith with your friends, neighbors, and coworkers? Dave and Jon Ferguson have found five simple, straightforward practices that will allow any believer to do just that. And by consistently living them out, you can affect not just individual lives but your entire neighborhood and community—one person at a time.
PODCAST
Jon Ferguson: Can BLESS Be Framework of a Digital Missionary?
Could everyone become a digital missionary? What if we utilized the strength of digital to train, activate and release people to reach their circle of influence physically, digitally?
BLESS RESOURCES
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
I will pray for the people in my life and the places where I go. God, may your kingdom come and will be done. Please provide an opportunity for me to bless someone today. Help me to be aware of your presence and leading.
- 12 Prayers For Your Neighbor | Commit to praying for your neighbor using this resource to guide you.
- Neighborhood Prayer Walk | One way you can pray for your neighbors is by doing a prayer walk. A prayer walk involves walking around your neighborhood with your eyes and heart open while talking to God about what you see and experience.
LISTEN
I will listen to and discover the needs of others and the places where God is at work. God, how do you want me to bless my neighbors today? Help me to listen to and discover the needs of others.
- Better Understanding Your One | Here’s a video from the Your One resource that can help you better understand your neighbor. We all want to be heard. If you want to bless your neighbor, you need to be intentional to listen to understand.
- Building Trust vs Destroying Trust | As we help our neighbor, find God it is important to understand ways to build trust vs destroying trust.
- Guiding Your Neighbor Through Questions | Questions and conversations help us walk with our neighbor as they journey towards a relationship with Jesus.
EAT
Eating is the fastest way to move a relationship from acquaintance to friendship. I will share meals and spend time with people in my life. God show me who I can eat with (or have coffee with) that is far from You. God provide opportunities for me to eat with my neighbors.
- Hospitality: Eating with and Hosting Your Neighbor | Being a blessing doesn’t have to be complicated, it can start with sharing a meal, playing a game of bags, or gathering around a fire pit.
- Happy Hour: Etiquette and Advice on Holy Merriment | This book, written by Hugh Halter is a quick read on how to practice the art of hospitality, celebration, and party. All good missionaries know the power of social engagement. Whether you are called to Spain, Italy, Iceland or Portland Oregon, we now live in a pure mission field, and people won't move spiritually until they are connected socially.
SERVE
I will respond to the needs of others and help them in practical and impactful ways. God help me to see and hear the needs of my neighbor so I know how I can serve my neighbor in a tangible way.
- How Can I Serve My Neighbor? | As you watch this video think about how you can apply it to serving your neighbor.
STORY
I will share the story of Jesus and what He is doing in my life. God provide opportunities for me to share how you have worked in my life with my neighbors. Give me the words to capture who you are and what you’ve done in me.
REASONS FOR YOUR HOPE: 5 DAYS TO DISCOVER THE POWER OF YOUR STORY
This five-day journey guides you toward a fuller, deeper understanding of your story and prepares you to share it with others. If you find it challenging to talk about sin, struggles, pain, hopes, and fears, this devotional is for you. Each day focuses on one aspect of sharing your story and includes practical steps to apply what you've learned. When you finish this study, we hope you'll feel equipped, confident, and ready to let God speak through your story.
DAY 1 | DAY 2 | DAY 3 | DAY 4 | DAY 5
- How Do I Share My Story? | As you watch this video, think about how God has worked in your life and what events you could share with your neighbor to help them understand who God is.
- Standing by the Door Church & Culture Blog (adapted from James Emery White, After I Believe) | Don’t let evangelism scare you or put you off. It is one of the most important and rewarding investments you can ever make – not only for your own spirituality, but for the spiritual lives of others. Read this article to see the ripple effect
- Step-By-Step Guide to Writing Your Story | Everyone has a story to share about what God has done in their life. Use this guide to write your story.
- Let us celebrate with you by sharing your story here.