05 Hospitality
Part 1
Outcome: Extend hospitality to an outsider.
Have you ever had anyone evangelize you? How did it make you feel? What can you learn from it?
Does framing “evangelism” in terms of “hospitality” change your impression of it in any way? How?
How might God be inviting you to grow in inviting others to know him?
Message these responses to your discipler before moving on.
Part 2
Sharing Jesus Simplified
If evangelism intimidates you, check out our extra resource called Sharing Jesus. Here’s a helpful guide to keep on your phone.
Also, consider inviting a friend to attend an upcoming Alpha Course Online.
Person of Peace
Who is a “person of peace”?
Were you ever curious about Jesus? Did anyone help you find him?
Who are the people of peace in your life right now? What will you do next to connect with them?
Message these responses to your discipler before moving on.
Making Room
How are evangelism and hospitality related?
Have you ever experienced a fear of the “other”? If so, how?
When have you been an outsider, and who invited you in?
Message these responses to your discipler before moving on.
Practice Hospitality
Choose at least one practice, or do all three.
PRACTICE 1: PRAY
Marjorie Thompson explains that,
“When we intercede for others in prayer, we welcome them into our inmost sanctuary of compassion. We participate in the spacious hospitality of God’s grace for each person. Since hospitality has a special place for the stranger, praying for our enemies (inside or outside the church) is a most fitting expression of the heart’s hospitality.”
Who will you intercede for daily for one week?
PRACTICE 2: CROSS THE THRESHOLD
Alan Hirsch writes,
“If every Christian family in the world simply offered good conversational hospitality around a table once a week to neighbors we would eat our way into the kingdom of God.”
Identify someone in your life who feels like an “other”, where some sort of invisible barrier exists between you, and invite them across your threshold (figuratively or hopefully, literally). If the first one or two people you invite refuse you or can’t make it, find someone else.
PRACTICE 3: MAKE ROOM FOR GENEROSITY
Ask God if there is any way you are withholding generosity from someone by not giving what you can. Where are you keeping extras for yourself instead of sharing with those who don’t have access to what you do?
How will you make more room for generosity?
Complete at least one practice, then message your discipler to let them know.
Part 3
Outcome Completed
Look back to the beginning of this chapter and consider where you are now.
What have you learned?
How have you changed?
Did you extend hospitality to an outsider? How? What was the result?
Discuss this with your discipler, and when you’re done, you’re ready to move on to the next section.
