The Practice of Hospitality
1 Peter 4:9
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.
Talking to God
Thank God for the ways in which He cares for you.
Diving In
Describe the different rooms in a nice hotel. Don't forget kitchens and restaurants, suites, lounges, laundry rooms — even pools and gift shops. Discuss the many things that are continually happening at a hotel.
Going Deeper
Despite all the different things that go on at a fancy hotel, they're all a part of accomplishing one, central focus: caring for people. Similarly, our homes have a lot of different rooms and a lot of different activities going on. And yet there is one central purpose: providing a place to care for people. In Romans 12:13, the Bible teaches us to share with those in need and to practice hospitality. And when we open our homes to others — just like a nice hotel cares for guests — we're practicing hospitality.
Talking to Each Other
• What's something that would help you feel welcome or cared for if you stayed in
a nice hotel?
• When people come to your house, what can you do to care for them?
From Focus on the Family's Thrivingfamily.com. © [2011] [Janine Petry]. Used by permission.