Who Is My Neighbor?

Lessons Learned From a Man Left for Dead

Wayne Gordon

• Publisher: Baker Books
• Year: 2010
• eBook ISBN: 9781441223883
• Topic: Theology & Religion

An "expert in the law" once asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life--and his question initiated a very interesting conversation. The Law says to "love your neighbor as yourself," Jesus pointed out, so the next logical question is, "Who is my neighbor?" Rather than offering an exhaustive list of neighbors and non-neighbors, Jesus told a story . . . the Parable of the Good Samaritan. Out of that famous parable, Dr. Wayne Gordon draws more than forty characteristics of the man who was beaten, robbed, and left for dead on the road to Jericho--the character Jesus created to show Christians how to recognize their neighbors. Dr. Gordon brings that character vividly to life in Who Is My Neighbor?, and helps readers use Jesus' parable as a reference point for their interactions in their community and the world. And as readers catch Jesus' vision of neighborliness, they will also find practical suggestions for meeting needs and changing the lives of those around them . . . that is, their neighbors!

Table of contents

• Cover
• Title
• Copyright
• Contents
• Foreword
• Note to the Reader
• 1. My Neighbor Is Hurting
• 2. My Neighbor Needs Help
• 3. My Neighbors Are Those Who Cannot Help Themselves
• 4. My Neighbor Is Someone Who Appears on My Path
• 5. My Neighbor Is Someone Who Has Been Robbed
• 6. My Neighbor Is Someone Who Is Half Dead
• 7. My Neighbor Is Someone Who Is Naked
• 8. My Neighbor Is Someone Who Is Unable to Ask for Help
• 9. My Neighbor Is of a Different Race
• 10. My Neighbor Is a Stranger
• 11. My Neighbor Is Someone Who Has Been Stripped
• 12. My Neighbor Is a Foreign Traveler
• 13. My Neighbor Has Been Beaten Up
• 14. My Neighbor Might Require Me to Take a Risk
• 15. My Neighbor Can’t Walk
• 16. My Neighbor Looks Horrible
• 17. My Neighbor Is of a Different Religion
• 18. My Neighbor Is Destitute
• 19. My Neighbor Is a Victim of Injustice
• 20. My Neighbor Has Been Passed By
• 21. My Neighbor Can’t Say, “Thank You”
• 22. My Neighbor Is Someone Who Has Been Wounded
• 23. My Neighbor Is Someone Nobody Wants to Help
• 24. My Neighbor Is Lonely
• 25. My Neighbor Will Cost Me Some Time
• 26. My Neighbor Is Visible
• 27. My Neighbor Is a Victim
• 28. My Neighbor Is Someone Who’s Been Violated
• 29. My Neighbor Is Vulnerable
• 30. My Neighbor Is a Human Being
• 31. My Neighbor Feels Humiliated
• 32. My Neighbor Feels Helpless
• 33. My Neighbor Is Poor
• 34. My Neighbor Is Someone I’m Afraid to Help
• 35. My Neighbor Is Someone Who Is Dangerous to Help
• 36. My Neighbor Is Someone Who Is Discouraged
• 37. My Neighbor Is Someone Who Might Cost Me Money
• 38. My Neighbor Is in Need of Tender Loving Care
• 39. My Neighbor Is Someone Who Feels Defeated
• 40. My Neighbor Is Someone I Am Able to Help
• The Eight Components of Christian Community Development
• Appreciation