Lesson 11: Soul Tending Outward through Hospitality and Care
(see Soul Tending pgs. 99-101)
A dictionary definition of hospitality only begins to explain the word’s meaning. Yes, hospitality is “the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests or strangers.” However, hospitality also involves opening one’s heart to all people in the Spirit of Christ. Just as God gave us the earth as our wonderful home and reaches out to us in lone, we are called to offer that love to everyone we meet.
Have you ever been a guest in some one’s home where you immediately felt comfortable and happy? Or have you had the opposite experience where you never quite felt “at home” in a new setting? What was it that made the difference in these two situations? What words would you use to describe people who are hospitable?
In his letter to the early church, Paul repeatedly encouraged the believers to “welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God” (Romans 15:7). Paul was talking about more than providing a place to stay and food to eat; he meant also sharing lives and faith. As Marjorie J. Thompson writes in Soul Feast, “Hospitality is essentially an expression of love. It is a movement to include the guest in the very best of what we ourselves have received and therefore can offer. It is the act of sharing who we are as well as what we have.” In what ways can you share yourself, not just your things, with: family members, those outside your family, those who are your friends, those who are not your closest friends, those of a different faith tradition, those you don’t know but live in your community, or those who live far away in other parts of the world.
Read Matthew 25:31-40. Is Jesus clear about what he expects from his followers? Which of these situations is harder for you to think about doing: providing food, providing drink, welcoming a stranger in your home, giving clothing, caring for the sick, or visiting a prisoner? Why? Which of these situations have you helped before? How did you feel? Is it possible to do a good thing (like caring for the sick or giving clothes) without doing it in a spirit of hospitality? How?
Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Do you have an example of a time you offered hospitality to someone and ended up feeling blessed from the experience?
Practice: Think about how you might show hospitality to the following people: a family who moves in next door; the homeless persons in your community; a new student at school; visitors in worship.
Homework: (1.) Invite a guest to dinner. (2.) Talk with your family or friends about possible ways to provide hospitality. You might consider hosting a holiday meal for people who don’t’ have nearby family, hosting a foreign exchange student inviting persons who live alone to join you on family activities, organizing a block party, and so forth. (3.) Journal about any inner roadblocks for you concerning hospitality. What holds you back from fully opening your heart in the spirit of Christ? (4.) When have you “met” Jesus in another person? Reflect on how you can show Jesus to others through hospitality.
Reflect: How can you change the world by a simple act of hospitality?