CLICK HERE FOR THE LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE CONTAINING DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1 Peter 4:9 “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.”

Love is the driving force for how we interact and engage one another.

• The intensity of agape love where effort and generosity towards each other is the standard.

• Hospitality is a weapon of love used to win territory in each other’s hearts.
  • hospitality (Greek)- comes from philos- a type of love that is based in friendship.
  • Hospitality is an act of kindness to serve or care for another with relational intent.
  • To be with for the sake of care and friendship.
  • To provide opportunity to break bread together—even at your table.

• Hospitality within the church is not always easy which is why we are to avoid grumbling.

Hospitality is a powerful tool for advancing the gospel in other people’s lives for both believers and non-believers.

• Hospitality can create a thriving community that impacts the growth of a church. Acts 2:42-47 (turn to)
  • Engaging personally with one another is life-giving.
    • I have found that the church is at its best when stories of people gathering together regularly and invitation to “others” is common. [Story of “the Bible Study” at Dorrows]
    • Admission- not everyone is life-giving, but I have found the journey of my heart to be beneficial in correcting my heart.
  • There is something special about being in a person’s home.
  • Such an invitation communicates your sincerity of care about them.
  • There is more vulnerability as to your true identity.

• Hospitality is on opportunity to seek truth at the table and bring salvation to households. Acts 16:30-34 (turn to)
  • [Story of Adam]
• Hospitality can be used to show mercy and soften the heart of a sinner.
  Matthew 9:9-12 “…“Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.”

• Hospitality can serve as a ministry to strangers—even angels.
  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.”

Practicing hospitality can teach you much about your heart and the heart of God.

WHO? Your table might need a new guest list. Luke 14:16-24 (turn to)

• Careful to not offer only to those who you mutually benefit from. (12-14)
  • Not just “your people”. [Story of my circle of men]
• Not everyone will accept your invitation and that is okay.
• People have commitment issues. (18-20)
  • Culturally people only commit in the 11^th hour to make sure they choose the best option.
  • Sometimes they just don’t feel comfortable being near someone different from them.
• Most times the unexpected invitation carries more appeal.
• Find the willing! God’s heart is for those you might not naturally consider.  You might be surprised whose hearts He is softening for your invitation.

WHY? Remember the “table” is about the people and Jesus, not the event.
Luke 10:38-42 (turn to)

• Good motivations can get off the rails when the details take over.
  • [Story of an invited dog]
• When preparations begin to steal your joy for what you are providing for, you need to stop and re-calibrate to “why” you are doing this.
• Are you offering hospitality for: salvation, encouragement, re-connecting, to speak an important word?
• Jesus was asked what was more important—the preparations or the presence of being with Him? Presence trumps preparations every time.

Experiencing the power of hospitality.

1. What barriers keep you from practicing hospitality? Pray about that!
   • Time
   • Fear of man.
   • Simply don’t care or value of engaging others.

2. Who might you invite to a table or even your table? Pray!
   
   
3. How might that time together be used to advance truth in their lives? Pray!
   
   
4. How can the preparations be used to prepare your heart for the true purpose of offering your hospitality? Pray!

Benediction: 1 Thessalonians 2:8 “…Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.”