Group Discussion Guide: Welcoming and Inviting
Leader Instructions:
Preparation: Before the meeting, listen to the sermon read through Matthew 25:31-46. Familiarize yourself with the main points of biblical hospitality, especially the significance of welcoming others as we have been welcomed by Christ.
Time: Set aside time for each question to encourage reflection. If the group is large, break into smaller groups for deeper discussions.
Atmosphere: Create a welcoming environment that reflects the themes of the discussion—consider simple hospitality like snacks, comfortable seating, and openness to diverse opinions.
Reflection and Prayer: Encourage participants to reflect on how these themes apply in their own lives, ending the session with a group prayer focused on practicing hospitality.
Summary of the Content:
As part of our Missio Dei series, we’re exploring how we, as a church, participate in God's mission through our identity and practices. Today, we focus on two ancient and essential practices: welcoming and inviting—actions rooted in biblical hospitality.
In the Bible, hospitality is not just about how we host but who we host. The word Philoxenia means "love of strangers," which calls us to welcome those different from us—the unexpected. Jesus practiced this by sharing meals with the marginalized and teaching stories that included surprising guests. His example compels us to extend hospitality across boundaries, creating a space for everyone at God's table.
In welcoming others, we reflect God’s welcome to us. Scripture emphasizes this response: "Welcome one another, just as Christ has welcomed you" (Romans 15:7). Hospitality is more than a duty; it’s a response of gratitude for God’s generosity. And when we practice hospitality, we don’t just offer—we receive. Christ teaches that in welcoming others, we encounter Him.
Discussion Questions:
Opening Reflection:
Start with gratitude: Take a moment to share something or someone you are thankful for who has made you feel welcome.
Exploring Biblical Hospitality:
Read Luke 4:16-30. In this passage, Jesus reads from Isaiah, proclaiming His mission, and speaks about welcoming foreigners, which causes tension. Why do you think the people reacted so strongly to Jesus including "the other" in His message?
Reflecting on Philoxenia (love of strangers): Hospitality in ancient times often reinforced social hierarchies. How does biblical hospitality challenge our comfort zones or ideas of hospitality today?
Personal application: Who are the "unexpected" or "strangers" in your life—those who might think, believe, or live differently from you? How could you extend hospitality to them in a meaningful way?
Welcoming as Christ Welcomed Us:
Read Romans 15:7 and Matthew 25:31-46. How do these passages describe the relationship between welcoming others and encountering Christ? What does this mean for our everyday interactions with people?
Flipping the script: In welcoming others, we often think of ourselves as "the host." How does thinking of the guest as Christ change how we view hospitality? Can you think of a time when you received more than you gave in an act of hospitality?
Hospitality as a Messy Practice:
Welcoming the mess: In your experience, what is the most challenging aspect of welcoming others? Share a story where something unexpected happened during an act of hospitality. How can we see these "messes" as opportunities for growth rather than failures?
Thanksgiving metaphor: The guide mentions Thanksgiving as a gathering of diverse and sometimes unexpected guests. How might your life or your community reflect this kind of gathering? Where do you see tension, and where do you see beauty in diversity?
We Are Also Gifts:
God celebrates your presence: Often, we think about welcoming others, but what about being a welcomed guest at God's table? How does knowing that God delights in you and sees you as a gift change how you show up in community?
Inviting generously: What are the gifts—tangible or intangible—you can bring to the table in your community? How does living generously and offering what you have shape your relationships and interactions with others?
Closing Reflection and Prayer:
Reflection: Take a moment of quiet to reflect on where God is inviting you to practice hospitality in your own life—whether it's extending a welcome or receiving one.
Prayer: Close by praying for the courage to welcome others as Christ welcomes us and for eyes to see Christ in those we encounter. Ask for the grace to navigate the "mess" with love and generosity.
