JUNE 2
HOSPITALITY
Hospitality is the answer to problem of loneliness and isolation.
Work through the following questions and scriptures on your own, and get together with your running partner, life group, or friends and family to talk through what you are learning.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
- What is an activity that you love that you practice (or have practiced) diligently? Do you enjoy practicing that activity?
- A definition of hospitality is, an open-hearted posture towards others of intentional, generous sharing of what you have to offer.
- Why is hospitality considered an important practice if we want to get to know Jesus more and become more like Him?
3. Read Matthew 25:35-40.
Make some observations about this passage (What does the text say?):
- What do you notice and what are you curious about?
Make some interpretations (What does the passage mean?)
- What do you learn about humanity?
- What do you learn about God?
- What do you learn about following Jesus?
Now make some applications (what’s my response?)
- How are you encouraged, challenged, or convicted by this passage?
- What should be our response to this passage?
4. What is your experience with someone showing hospitality to you?
5. Read Romans 12:13, Hebrews 13:2 and 1 Peter 4:9
- Considering these passages, who should be the recipients of our hospitality?
- In what ways has God gifted you to practice hospitality? With your giving? Serving? Resources Homemaking? Cooking? Knowledge? Etc. How are you using those gifts? How might you begin to use them if you aren’t?
6. Read John 13:12-17which covers Jesus’ instructions to His disciples after washing their feet.
- In what ways should practicing hospitality help us know Jesus more?
- In what ways should practicing hospitality help us become more like Him?
- In what ways should practicing hospitality make us counter-cultural?
KEY SCRIPTURE
Matthew 25:35-40 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’
Romans 12:13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
1 Peter 4:9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
John 13:12-17 When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. “Do you understand what I have done for you?” he asked them. “You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.
PRAYER
Guided prayer: In your group, have one person lead the group through these prayer prompts to consider with the Lord silently and then share with one other person at the end:
God, would you show each of us one person with whom we could practice showing hospitality? Pause for a few minutes to allow space for the Lord to speak.
God, please give each of us a clear picture of how we could be like Jesus to this person. Pause for a few minutes to allow space for the Lord to speak.
PRACTICE
How are you going to practice hospitality this week in the way that God revealed to you in prayer? Share with at least one other person in your group who will check in on you throughout the week.