Passages Class May 7, 2017 Ross Loeser & Tracy Williamson. Matthew 25: 34-35

Transcription

1 Then the king will say to those at his right hand, Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me Matthew 25: Passages Class May 7, 2017 Ross Loeser & Tracy Williamson

2 Today: Explore the meaning of Christian Hospitality Next Sunday: Brief review, then discuss how our church could better practice Christian Hospitality

3 "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." --Maya Angelou

4 What does hospitality mean to you?

5 Discuss these three questions at your table: (five minutes each) 1. Share with others your most vivid experience of receiving hospitality. Then share your most satisfying experience of offering hospitality. 2. What seems to you to be the most essential ingredient of hospitality? What is the difference between hospitality and entertainment? 3. Have you ever felt you met Christ in a complete stranger? Talk about the idea of offering hospitality to strangers. What is attractive and what is frightening about it?

6 Biblical Basis for Christian Hospitality Then the king will say to those at his right hand, Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me Matthew 25: Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:1-2 What are some others?? Be hospitable to one another without complaining. Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. 1 Peter 4:9-10 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Hebrews 13:16 I have indeed received much joy and encouragement from your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you, my brother. Philemon 1:7

7 Soul Feast by Marjorie J. Thompson (Chapter on Hospitality) Hospitality means receiving the other, from the heart, into my own dwelling place. It entails providing for the need, comfort and delight of the other with all the openness, respect, freedom, tenderness, and joy that love itself embodies. (p 128) Hospitality of heart has implications for every dimension of our lives. It should be practiced at home, in the workplace, in our neighborhoods, in our church and in our communities (civic hospitality - ~ social justice) It requires humility The practice of hospitality cannot depend on shared views or shared values We must learn to value the strangeness of the stranger (p. 134)

8 Soul Feast by Marjorie J. Thompson (Chapter on Hospitality) Hospitality means receiving the other, from the heart, into my own dwelling place. It entails providing for the need, comfort and delight of the other with all the openness, respect, freedom, tenderness, and joy that love itself embodies. (p 128) Hospitality of heart has implications for every dimension of our lives. It should be practiced at home, in the workplace, in our neighborhoods, in our church and in our communities (civic hospitality - ~ social justice) It requires humility The practice of hospitality cannot depend on shared views or shared values We must learn to value the strangeness of the stranger (p. 134) Given this definition, What areas where might FPC want to improve?

9 Hospitality in the Christian Tradition St. Benedict: All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ. Henri Nouwen: Hospitality means primarily the creation of free space where the stranger can enter and become a friend instead of an enemy. Hospitality is not to change people, but to offer them space where change can take place. It is not to bring men and women over to our side, but to offer freedom not disturbed by dividing lines. Shauna Niequist: The heart of hospitality is about creating space for someone to feel seen and heard and loved. It s about declaring your table a safe zone, a place of warmth and nourishment. Frederick Buechner: Jesus is apt to come, into the very midst of life at its most real and inescapable moments. Not in a blaze of unearthly light, not in the midst of a sermon, not in the throes of some kind of religious daydream, but at supper time, or walking along a road He never approached from on high, but always in the midst, in the midst of people, in the midst of real life and the questions that real life asks.